The United States on Wednesday dismissed as “total fabrication” a report by Iran’s state-run IRIB television that the US and Iran had agreed on a draft framework agreement to end the war. TASR informs about it with reference to the AFP agency and Sky News television.
- The United States has called Iran’s alleged war-ending memorandum a fabrication.
- The Iranian proposal envisages the withdrawal of American forces and the lifting of the naval blockade of ports.
“This report by the state-controlled media is not true and the memorandum of understanding they ‘published’ is a complete fabrication. No one should believe what Iran’s state media publishes. FACTS MATTER,” the White House said in response to the X Network, while criticizing US media for reporting on the alleged memorandum.
Draft agreement plan
IRIB TV previously published a document it described as an “initial unofficial draft of the memorandum of understanding”. According to him, the US would withdraw its military forces from the vicinity of Iran and lift the naval blockade of its ports. Tehran would pledge to restore the number of commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels, which began on February 28, within a month. Military vessels are not affected by the proposal.
IRIB also said that the management of shipping in the strait should be handled by Iran in cooperation with Oman. If a final agreement could be reached within 60 days, it should be approved in the form of a binding resolution of the UN Security Council. At the same time, Tehran emphasized that it will not take any step without “tangible verification”.
Trump on the status of negotiations
US President Donald Trump said before the start of an emergency cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday that Iran “very much wants to make a deal” but so far it has not happened and the US is not happy about it.
“We’re not happy with it, but we will be. Either we’re going to be happy or we’re going to have to see this thing through,” Trump said. The Iranian team is “negotiating with its last strength” and given the country’s economic problems, it has no other option but to accede to the agreement. “We’ll see what happens. We may have to rework it again. But maybe not now,” the president added.
Rubio favors diplomacy
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that the US and Iran have made “some progress” towards a peace deal. According to him, the United States prefers the path of negotiations and diplomacy, and “we will give it a chance.” He emphasized that the head of the White House has “other options available if it doesn’t work out.” Rubio reiterated that as long as Trump is president, Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon and never will.”
