U.S. Proposes 15-Year Freeze on Iran’s Uranium Enrichment for Sanctions Relief

President of the United States, Donald Trump, expressed this evening (Sunday) "cautious optimism" ahead of renewing negotiations with Iran. In a phone call with Channel 12 News, Trump clarified that he "believes in the chances of reaching an arrangement soon. I feel good about it. The concept of the agreement is already closed. I think we have a very good chance to complete it".

According to the report, these are some of the clauses in the emerging framework to end the war: Iran will halt uranium enrichment for 15 years; it will convert uranium into fuel; the International Atomic Energy Agency will fully monitor the nuclear sites; the Strait of Hormuz will be opened, the U.S. will lift some of the economic sanctions, withdraw its forces, and declare the end of the war.

Channel 12 reported that in Israel there are concerns that such an agreement would postpone the Iranian threat but preserve the ayatollahs' regime. In addition, lifting the sanctions would lead to the regime's strengthening.

As a reminder, earlier today the Saudi channel Al-Arabiya reported that Iran had agreed in principle to accede to the request to hand over the enriched uranium to a third party. However, the Iranians announced that if they do so, it would be transferred only to its ally, Pakistan. At this stage, the report has not been confirmed by any official source or additional media outlet. It should be noted that the U.S. has stated several times over the past week that the uranium would be transferred only to its custody.

Meanwhile, it is still unclear whether talks between Iran and the U.S. will resume in two days. An American delegation led by Steve Witkoff will arrive in Pakistan. The Iranians, for their part, announced that they are considering not showing up as long as the U.S. does not lift the blockade on Iranian seaports.

Iran's vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, said this evening: "The positions of the other side are childish and changeable. Under pressure they beg for a cease-fire and negotiations, but afterward they adopt a stubborn approach. Iran will preserve its achievements, especially in the area of the Strait of Hormuz, and its management and supervision should be in Iran's hands. In such a situation, there is no need to wait for the lifting of the sanctions by the enemies; they will in fact be ineffective".

President Donald Trump hardened his tone amid the messages coming from Iran. Ahead of the cease-fire's expiration on Wednesday, Trump set an ultimatum to Tehran and threatened that the U.S. would "blow up the entire country" if an agreement is not signed.

CNN reported that if the Iranians send a delegation to Pakistan, it would be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Ghalibaf. In Iran, they expect that on Wednesday a joint and symbolic announcement will be issued about extending the cease-fire. They will also propose that if the talks progress as planned, and President Trump confirms his arrival in Pakistan, Iran's president will also come for a historic summit meeting. In such a case, the two are expected to sign a joint "Islamabad Declaration" that will formalize the understandings between the countries.