US President Donald Trump has circulated a draft peace agreement among international allies, including Israel, to halt the escalating conflict with Iran and protect the fragile ceasefire. To accelerate these negotiations, Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is traveling to Washington to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Iran recently targeted a US airbase in Kuwait following a US strike on Iranian drone operations near the Strait of Hormuz. While the US Cabinet is prepared to review the proposed deal, reports indicate that President Trump requested more time to evaluate the terms.
Core Terms of the Proposed Agreement
The circulated peace draft focuses on restoring stability and economic activity to the region through several key measures:
- Maritime Access: The Strait of Hormuz will reopen completely for commercial shipping, guaranteeing free navigation.
- Sanctions Relief: The United States will lift its blockade on Iranian ports.
- Financial Assets: Iran will regain access to approximately $12 billion in frozen assets.
- Timeline: The agreement aims to restore commercial shipping to pre-war levels within 30 days. Following this, a 60-day negotiation period will begin to address the future of Iran's nuclear program.
Under the nuclear terms, Iran is expected to abandon nuclear weapons, halt further uranium enrichment, reduce its highly enriched uranium stockpiles, and accept time-limited oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Disagreements and Friction Points
US Vice President JD Vance stated that while both nations are close to an agreement, specific details regarding uranium stockpiles and language adjustments remain unresolved. Furthermore, China has urged that any final agreement must be ratified by the UN Security Council.
However, the draft faces significant domestic and international friction:
- Israel's Concerns: Israel strongly objects to the current scope of the deal, as it delays strict nuclear commitments from Iran and demands a permanent ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
- Sanctions Specifics: The US draft is less detailed than Iran's version regarding the lifting of sanctions on oil and petrochemical exports.
- The Strait of Hormuz Dispute: Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) continues to demand that all commercial ships request permission to pass through the strait. In contrast, the US opposes any restrictions.
- The Oman Dispute: President Trump and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have threatened sanctions against Oman if it enters a separate agreement with Iran to collect navigation fees or tolls in the strait. Omani diplomats expressed anger over these threats, maintaining that they support free navigation rather than Iranian interference.
Domestic Impacts and Tensions
Despite these military and diplomatic clashes, indirect communication between the US and Iran continues through Pakistani and Qatari mediators. However, the 8 April ceasefire remains highly fragile, causing oil prices to rise by 2%.
Inside Iran, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has urged political factions to remain united during economic difficulties, accusing the US and Israel of trying to divide the nation. Concurrently, human rights organizations like Amnesty International report that Iranian authorities have arrested over 6,000 citizens—including journalists, lawyers, and minorities—since the US and Israeli military operations began on 28 February.
