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IPFS News Link • Iran

Pushing The Can Down The Road (Again)?

• https://www.lewrockwell.com, Moon of Alabama

US and Iran close to extend ceasefire by 60 days, reports Financial Times – Gulf Today

The United States and Iran are close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war, two regional officials and a diplomat said on Saturday.

Iran signaled "narrowing differences" in negotiations with the US after Pakistan's army chief held more talks in Tehran, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists in India that "there's been some progress made" and "there may be news later today."

The officials and diplomat expressed hope that a final decision on the Pakistan-prepared draft could come within 48 hours as both sides review it.

Iran state TV quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as describing the draft as a "framework agreement" and adding: "We want this to include the main issues required for ending the imposed war and other issues of essential importance to us. Then, over a reasonable time span, between 30 to 60 days, details are discussed and ultimately a final agreement is reached."

Conditions of a preliminary deal were published yesterday by former CNN journo Alex Marquart:

In the agreement, which would be signed in Islamabad, the terms the US has offered Iran to include:

Immediate end to military operations including Lebanon and no more threats of force against each other.

The MOU leads to negotiations on a "final deal" to officially end the war. Axios reported earlier that would be 30 days of talks, I heard it's now longer and could be extended.

Discussions of nuclear enrichment, removal of enriched material discussed later in the final deal. Iran commits in the MOU to never develop a nuclear weapon.

A large economic reconstruction plan for Iran, to be developed by the US and its allies in the region. How it works exactly is part of the final deal.

The US will unfreeze Iranian funds as talks progress.

All US and UN sanctions – including secondary – to be lifted after a final deal which will lay out a schedule.

Before a final deal and the lifting of sanctions, the US will issue waivers for Iranian oil exports, banking and other products/areas.


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