Iran and US edge closer to signing MoU to end the war

As Tehran and Washington edge closer to the signing of a memorandum of understanding, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says any potential MoU will serve only as a framework for continuing talks rather than a final agreement.

The 14-point MoU reportedly includes terms calling for an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, the complete removal of the US naval blockade, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, among others.

Several peace proposals have been exchanged between the parties over recent weeks.

The world is watching whether a deal will come together to finally end the US-Israeli war in Iran that erupted on February 28th, with gaps still remaining on the scope of the agreement amid on-and-off clashes in the region.

On Saturday, the Pentagon claimed shooting down Iranian one-way attack drones while Israel, which says it's not a party to the US-Iran deal, announced it had hit over 70 sites in Lebanon against Hezbollah.

US President Donald Trump has noted an initial deal was scheduled to be signed on Sunday, his 80th birthday. The prime minister of Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, also said that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing, to be followed by technical-level talks in the coming week.

Yet, Iranian media on Saturday cited spokesman for the foreign ministry Esmaeil Baghaei as refuting the signing would take place so soon. The official noted it would not be on Sunday but could happen "in the coming days."

Baghaei underscored the focal point of their ongoing negotiations will be securing an immediate end to the war, and that the unfreezing and release of Iran's blocked funds abroad is an integral condition of any MoU with the US.

Fars news agency reported Tehran also wants to charge for services rendered in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lifting US hostilities against Iranian ships are among the topics being discussed at the current stage, according to Baghaei, and negotiations on Tehran's nuclear issue are set to continue over a 60-day period.

The Trump administration insists the agreement should lead to Iran committing to dismantle its nuclear programme, destroying and removing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi states their preferred position is that its enriched uranium should be diluted and kept in the country.

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu posted on social media that Iran will never have nuclear weapons as long as he is prime minister of Israel, stressing that he and the US president are in "full agreement" on the matter.

Hebrew media reports say Netanyahu will convene a security cabinet meeting Sunday evening to weigh response to the anticipated US-Iran deal aiming at ending the war.

Israeli officials say Iranian ballistic missile programmes and nuclear capabilities have largely been left unaddressed in the MoU.