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The nuclear aspect is the main sticking point in the negotiations. On Saturday May 23, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaïl Baghaï, affirmed that the nuclear issue was not part “at this stage” of the agreement under discussion and that it would be dealt with during “separate discussions”.
Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim also assure that nuclear issues would be referred to later negotiations, potentially within 60 days of the signing of an agreement.
According to Fars, “Iran has not committed in this agreement to ceding nuclear stockpiles, withdrawing equipment, closing facilities or even not building a nuclear bomb.” But the American version is very different. THE New York Timesciting unnamed US officials, says one of the central points of the deal would be a commitment by Tehran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
On Sunday, May 24, an Israeli official also indicated that Donald Trump had assured Benjamin Netanyahu that no final agreement would be signed without dismantling the Iranian nuclear program and transferring the stock of enriched uranium out of the country.
According to Franceinfowhich quotes the American news site Axiosthe text would also provide for an Iranian commitment to “never acquire nuclear weapons” and to negotiate the suspension of its uranium enrichment program.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, however, recalled on Sunday that “no decision” would be taken without the agreement of the Iranian supreme guide.
Strait of Hormuz soon to reopen
Another major issue in the discussions: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, de facto blocked by Iran since the start of the war launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel.
This strategic passage is essential for world trade: before the conflict, nearly 20% of the hydrocarbons consumed in the world passed through it. Its blockage caused a surge in oil prices and shook the world economy.
Donald Trump spoke on Saturday May 23 of a “widely negotiated” compromise which would allow the reopening of the strait. On his Truth Social network, he assured: “the Strait of Hormuz will be open.”
According to Axios, cited by Franceinfonavigation could resume without toll during a ceasefire period of 60 days.
But, according to Iranian sources relayed by Fars and Tasnim, Iran would still retain control of the strait. “The status of the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war situation,” says Tasnim.
A partial lifting of American sanctions
In return, Washington could ease part of the sanctions targeting the Iranian economy.
The Tasnim agency affirms that the American blockade of Iranian ports should be “completely lifted within 30 days”. Fars also reports that sanctions on oil, gas and petrochemicals could be suspended while negotiations continue to allow Iran to resume exports.
According to Franceinfothe United States would also grant exemptions allowing Tehran to sell its oil more freely.
The unfreezing of Iranian assets blocked abroad also constitutes a major demand from Tehran. Iran demands that part of these funds be released at the first stage of the agreement and that a clear mechanism then guarantees the gradual release of the rest of the frozen assets.
According to Iranian sources cited by Tasnim, however, disagreements persist on this subject.
Lebanon included in discussions
Lebanon could also be affected by the future agreement. Israel currently continues daily strikes against Hezbollah despite a ceasefire previously negotiated under American mediation.
Iran has been demanding for several weeks that any truce apply to all regional fronts, including in Lebanon. Hezbollah also assured that it was convinced that Tehran “would not abandon it”.
According to Tasnim, a “memorandum of understanding” could be announced initially in order to mark “the end of the fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon”.
The Lebanese authorities nevertheless insisted on the fact that the discussions with Israel under American mediation must remain independent of the negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
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