Nuclear issues would be set aside for later talks. Washington wants a deal to ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon; Iran says it is not seeking one.
The waiving of sanctions, unfreezing of Iranian assets and halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon are essential Iranian demands. The source made no mention of what Iran might offer in return. There was no immediate response from the United States.
Iran’s Mehr news agency said the terms also included other key US concessions, including a commitment to withdraw its forces from around Iran and present a plan for rebuilding the shattered Iranian economy.
“The United States and its allies must submit plans for Iran’s reconstruction worth at least US$300 billion,” the Mehr report said.
“GREAT SETTLEMENT”
Trump’s announcement of a deal – hours after he threatened again to hit Iran “very hard” on Thursday night – prompted global shares to rally and oil prices to slip on Friday. Brent crude prices were down more than 2 per cent in European morning trade.
Throughout the war, which began on Feb 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Trump has made similar declarations that a deal was at hand, only for no deal to emerge.
But markets took comfort that his latest words signalled the end of a particularly tense few days of escalation, which began with Iran and Israel trading fire for the first time since an April ceasefire, and continued through two days of US strikes on Iran and Iranian return fire at US regional bases.
“The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe,” Trump said, adding that Vance would attend the deal signing. He did not elaborate.
Asked if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the deal, Trump said, “I understand the answer is yes.”