[52686] USA and Iran in advanced contacts: Trump suspends the "Freedom Project" in the Persian Gulf
[52686] USA and Iran in advanced contacts: Trump suspends the "Freedom Project" in the Persian Gulf
Reports of a breakthrough in contacts between Washington and Tehran lead to the suspension of American military activity in the Persian Gulf and expectations for an agreement to end the fighting.
Dramatic development in the Gulf: Trump suspends the "Freedom Project"
According to a report by Iran International, the US and Tehran are at the closest point to an agreement since the start of the fighting. Axios reports that the parties are working on a one-page memorandum of understanding intended to bring an end to the military conflict and outline a framework for nuclear negotiations. As a confidence-building measure, President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of the "Freedom Project" – the maritime escort operation for ships in the Strait of Hormuz – although he emphasized that the maritime blockade on Iran remains in effect.
Simultaneously, Deutsche Welle Persian quotes President Trump threatening that if Iran does not comply with the agreements, "the bombings will be renewed with much higher intensity." On the other hand, sources in Iran present a different narrative: Fars News Agency reports that journalist Alex Ward (Wall Street Journal) assesses that Trump is "tired of the war" and seeks to declare victory and end the crisis, while IRNA agency (identified with the regime) claims that the suspension stems from an American failure and fear of damage to the US economy and the upcoming elections.
American diplomacy is setting clear conditions for continuation. According to Iran International, Washington demands that the next Prime Minister of Iraq take "practical steps" against pro-Iranian Shiite militias as a condition for renewing security assistance and oil revenue transfers. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified on DW that the contacts are focusing on forming a framework for understanding, and that the US maintains a strong bargaining position thanks to the heavy economic pressure exerted on Tehran.
On the ground, the situation remains tense. While the official channel of the Revolutionary Guards emphasizes foreign press statements regarding Trump's fatigue, the Arab news agency Al-Arabiya reports that the Revolutionary Guards Navy thanked ship captains for cooperation in passage according to "Iranian rules." Economists point out that the continued blockade of the strait would have led oil prices to record highs of $140 a barrel, a fact that likely spurred the parties to reach urgent diplomatic agreements.