AFP, Tehran

Iran and the United States have reached a landmark agreement to end nearly four months of war, setting the stage for 60 days of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief. Few official details have been released, but Iranian media have circulated what they claim are elements of a 14‑point framework.

FROZEN ASSETS

According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, the deal calls for a “permanent and immediate cessation of war on all fronts, including Lebanon.”

It also provides for the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, half of which would be made available before negotiations begin.

Sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical sales would be suspended, while the US would lift what Tehran describes as a naval blockade imposed since April 13 and withdraw forces from Iran’s vicinity.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said talks would only start once Washington fulfills urgent commitments, including ending military operations and releasing blocked funds.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pledged to disclose the framework’s full details once finalized.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ DISPUTE

US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be open “toll free.” Iranian media, however, reported that Tehran intends to reopen the waterway within 30 days under its own arrangements.

Fars news agency claimed Iran had secured the right to impose maritime service fees, a move Araghchi defended as legal under international norms.

He emphasized that future arrangements would be coordinated with Oman, adding that Iran views the strait as a strategic “instrument of deterrence.”

NUCLEAR PROGRAMME, SANCTIONS

The framework is intended as a precursor to 60 days of negotiations on key disputes, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

Issues including Iran’s enrichment activities, its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and longstanding US and UN sanctions are expected to be discussed during that period.

Another issue to be discussed is post-war “reconstruction and economic development”, according to Gharibabadi, although he did not elaborate.

He added that a mechanism ensuring compliance with the deal would also be discussed.

Araghchi said on Friday that Iran’s preferred approach to its stockpile of highly enriched uranium would be “to dilute it inside Iran”.

Yesterday, the New York Times reported on a phone interview with Trump in which he said talks were ongoing over whether Iran would suspend its enrichment for 20 years but hinted that he might settle for a 15-year suspension.

He also insisted that Iran’s uranium enrichment levels could never be used by the military and that it “can never go beyond a certain amount”.

WHAT’S MISSING?

It remains unclear whether the negotiations will address Iran’s missile programme or its support for groups known collectively as the “Axis of Resistance” opposed to Israel.

Both issues have long been central concerns for Israel.

In its report, Mehr had said that Iran’s “missile programme and support for resistance groups have been definitively removed from the agenda.”