What Is Known About The Iran Peace Deal? Seemingly Nothing Good: The U.S. and Iran could reportedly sign a peace deal as soon as Sunday, after Iranian state media reported that the draft deal included a U.S. commitment to lift oil sanctions and a pledge by Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.
President Trump said on Thursday that the two sides had agreed to a “very strong memorandum of understanding” to stop the conflict, adding that a provisional agreement would give room to negotiate other deals. Iran, however, in typical fashion, says it is yet to decide on a deal.
B-2 Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
B-2 Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
A signing ceremony would most likely be held in Geneva, Switzerland, and it could take place as early as Sunday. But other reports state that more talks are scheduled for this weekend. So, many analysts question whether this is just another Iranian stalling technique, as the US quickly canceled further airstrikes on Thursday.
However, the draft of the supposed deal outwardly reveals that Iran concedes nothing, other than extending a ceasefire that they’ve continually broken, and guaranteed “talks” on its nuclear weapons program.
If the 14-point (or 7-point in other news sources) plan that has been floated by the Mehr News Agency is true and is agreed to, Iran doesn’t have to do anything of consequence until the US basically gives the Islamic Republic everything it has demanded.
Iran’s official state news agency, IRNA, says the “current draft agreement” states that “Iran undertakes no new commitments” on nuclear weapons, with further negotiations on the issue set to take place over a 60-day period following the agreement’s signing.
What Iran’s News Is Reporting Compared To What The West Is
The reporting in Iran and the West differs markedly in its overall assessment of this peace deal.
And on Friday morning, President Trump lashed out at Iranian news media for what he said were very inaccurate descriptions of the peace proposal.
“The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account.
“What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth,” he added. “Very dishonorable people to deal with. With them, there is no such thing as dealing in good faith.”
B-2 Stealth Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Many news outlets are reporting that the agreement would include a 60-day “extension” of the ceasefire while nuclear talks continue. The IRNA says the talks would focus on only three issues: Iran’s peaceful nuclear program (which isn’t), lifting US sanctions, and compensation for war-related damages.
The IRNA rejects the term “ceasefire” and says the agreement calls for a “decisive end” to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and that the US will “compel Israel” to stop the war in Lebanon. It does not, however, state that Iran will compel its proxy force, Hezbollah, to stop the missile attacks on Israel.
Nuclear Dust And Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program
The peace deal supposedly would establish a framework for the removal of Iran’s 60 percent enriched nuclear material, the “nuclear dust” that is often referred to.
However, the IRNA article states that Iran would assume no new nuclear obligations under the memorandum and that its “peaceful” nuclear program would remain unchanged.
Furthermore, any nuclear negotiations would begin only after the memorandum is signed and would focus on issues including Iran’s right to enrich uranium and retain enriched materials as part of a final agreement.
The Strait Of Hormuz And A 30-Day Window?
While Western news agencies reported an “immediate reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and the restoration of normal shipping volumes, Iranian news agencies reported widely differing accounts.
The IRNA news agency says Iran will not relinquish any authority over the strait and would not grant the US any say in its future management of the global waterway. Instead, maritime security and navigation would be handled by regional coastal states, with future arrangements discussed directly between Iran and Oman.
The semi-official Mehr news agency also published a report, saying that the draft stipulates reopening the strait within 30 days and “in coordination with Iran.”
This alone should be an absolute deal breaker and shows how negotiating with the terrorist regime can only be done at the end of a very sharp stick, as the carrot approach has never worked in nearly 50 years of worthless negotiations.
The Iranians have been “close to” signing an agreement several times during the ceasefire, which they have continuously broken. And Thursday’s cancellation of further airstrikes resulted in what?
The framework laid out by Iranian news agencies points to nothing more than US capitulation. That is not a peace deal. But no one should be surprised at this point.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
