US and Iran Near Possible Framework Deal, Axios Says

The United States and Iran are close to agreeing on a brief memorandum that could end the war and create a framework for further talks on Iran’s nuclear program, Axios reported. The White House expects a response from Tehran on key points of the deal within the next 48 hours.

Axios, citing US officials and other sources, said that although nothing had been definitively agreed, the two sides had never been closer to a deal since the conflict began.

The proposed memorandum would take the form of a unilateral document. Iran would reportedly agree to a moratorium on uranium enrichment, while the United States would ease sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds.

The deal would also include an easing of restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important sea lanes for oil trade.

Reuters said it had not been able to independently confirm the Axios report. Neither the US State Department nor the White House immediately commented.

(reuters, bak)