Trump Reportedly Nears Draft Deal With Iran Featuring Major U.S. Concessions

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday night that a deal with Tehran would be signed on Sunday, while Iranian officials said the signing would happen “in the coming days.” Reporting from Reuters suggests the sides are closer than ever to an agreement, and that Washington has already agreed to major concessions in a final draft memorandum of understanding.

According to the report, the U.S. would unfreeze $25 billion in Iranian assets, grant oil-sanctions waivers so Iran can sell crude and earn revenue, and refrain from imposing new sanctions until a final accord is signed. The article says these economic steps were not conditioned on a completed nuclear settlement, meaning “tens of billions” could flow to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while Iran still holds enough enriched uranium for about 11 nuclear bombs. The money would be released through direct cash transfers, regional cooperation and financial credit lines.

An Iranian official said the draft covered issues ranging from Iran’s nuclear work to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. oil-sanctions waivers. He said a final agreement would be discussed during the 60 days after both sides reached initial consent. Under the draft, Iran would immediately open the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels.

In return, the United States would begin lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports as soon as the memorandum is signed and complete that process within 30 days. Washington and its regional allies would also prepare an economic recovery and development plan for Iran, with details to be finalized over the two-month talks. On the nuclear issue, Tehran would promise not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons, keep its program frozen without expanding facilities or further enriching uranium, and allow the dilution of its high-enriched uranium stockpile inside Iran while mechanisms are worked out over the next 60 days.