Iran Claims Preliminary Deal With U.S.: “America Will Leave the Region, and We’ll Manage the Strait of Hormuz With Oman”

Iranian television reported toward evening today (Wednesday) that there is an understanding between Iran and the U.S. on a memorandum of understanding. According to the report, American forces will leave the area around Iran and lift the blockade on Iran. In return, Iran will restore the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to what it was before the war, but without military vessels crossing through the strait. In addition, the strait will be managed in cooperation between Iran and Oman.

At the same time, the report itself included a qualification: “The framework agreement is not final.” The Iranian regime said that “we will not take any step without clear approval and verification. After that, if the sides reach a final agreement within the 60 days of negotiations, the agreement will be approved within a binding framework through a resolution in the UN Security Council.”

As previously reported, yesterday the Iranians claimed that their demands for the start of negotiations include canceling the seizure of Iranian funds held in Qatar, about $12 billion. In addition, the basis for the negotiations includes an end to the Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

In response, the White House told Al Jazeera that: “The Iranian report is a complete fabrication. President Donald Trump believes the negotiations are proceeding well, and has made his red lines clear.” According to the report, “Trump will not be prepared for any deal that does not serve the interests of the American people.” The American president convened a special meeting at the White House with his political-security cabinet. He is expected to deliver a statement at the end of the meeting.