Trump waits on Iran’s answer: "If they don’t agree to the deal, the bombing will start"

U.S. President Donald Trump issued an afternoon statement (Wednesday, Israel time) saying the White House is awaiting Iran’s response to a proposal to end the war. According to Trump: "Assuming Iran agrees to deliver what was agreed, an assumption that is not a given, the operation that has already become legendary, 'Epic Rage,' will come to an end, and the effective blockade will allow the Strait of Hormuz to be open to all, including Iran. If they do not agree, the bombings will begin, and they will be, unfortunately, at a level and intensity higher than before".

Speaking to the New York Post, the American president said: "It is too early to get ready to sign an agreement with Iran. It is too far, it is too much".

Earlier, the website "Axios" reported that the White House believes an agreement with Iran to end the war will be reached soon. The Reuters news agency added that a Pakistani official involved in the negotiations said the two countries are moving toward drafting a short, preliminary memorandum of understanding to end the war. According to that official, the countries are "at the closest point to an agreement since the war began". After agreement on the memorandum, broader negotiations will begin.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the American proposal, which includes 14 clauses, is under review. According to him, within 48 hours Iran will deliver its response. At the same time, the spokesman for the National Security Committee in Iran’s parliament, Ebrahim Rezaei, tweeted about the American proposal: "The Americans will not manage, in a failing war, to achieve what they did not manage to achieve in direct negotiations. Iran has its finger on the trigger and is ready. If they do not capitulate and grant the required concessions, or if they themselves or their attack dogs try to carry out any provocation — we will respond with a harsh response that will make them regret it".

News 12 reported that, as part of the memorandum of understanding, the U.S. naval blockade will be gradually lifted during the period of detailed negotiations. The United States will commit in the memorandum of understanding to gradually lift the sanctions imposed on Iran, and to release tens of billions of dollars from the freeze.

The countries will then discuss the length of the uranium-enrichment freeze. The proposed freeze is for at least 12 years. In addition, the United States demands a clause stating that any Iranian violation on the issue of uranium enrichment will extend the freeze period. 

It was also reported that Iran will agree to remove the highly enriched uranium in its possession from the country. The United States expects to receive, within the next 48 hours, Iran’s response on several key points in the draft framework agreement.