Initial draft for Iran-US peace agreement ready; 10 detained Indian sailors released safely.
According to Iranian state television, an initial framework for an informal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been prepared between the two nations. This step could significantly reduce the long-standing military standoff.
The emergence of this draft has triggered intense diplomatic activity. However, Iranian officials state that they will not sign the final agreement without solid guarantees.
On the other hand, the US administration has not yet released any official statement regarding this draft. Experts view this as part of major behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
According to a Reuters report, under this agreement, the US has agreed to gradually reduce its military presence in the areas surrounding Iran.
Along with this, the US will completely end its naval blockade of Iran. In return, Iran will also have to take some strict measures to bring stability to the region.
According to the draft, Iran must restore commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within the next 30 days.
This arrangement will apply only to commercial vessels and will not include US military ships. The Strait of Hormuz will be managed jointly by Iran and Oman.
Amid this crisis, extremely relieving news has emerged for India. Iran has safely released 10 Indian sailors who had been detained since July last year.
These sailors were deployed on the oil tanker named 'MV Harbour Phoenix', which was intercepted by Iranian authorities near Jask Port. This success follows lengthy diplomatic negotiations.
India's Directorate General of Shipping has confirmed that all sailors are completely safe. The process to bring them back to India at the earliest has begun.
Meanwhile, Israel has made a major diplomatic demand to the Government of India. Israel wants India to declare Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization.
Israeli officials have shared evidence and deep concerns regarding the suspicious activities of the IRGC with India at multiple levels. Several Western countries have already banned it.
This matter is diplomatically highly sensitive for India. India's relations with both Israel and Iran have been extremely strong and strategically vital.
Despite the draft agreement, differences persist between the two countries on several serious issues. The biggest issue among them is highly enriched uranium.
Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, clarified that the uranium issue is not included in the talks with the US.
"We will not accept any external pressure on our nuclear program and enriched uranium. This is a matter of our national sovereignty." - Ali Bagheri Kani
US President Donald Trump has already stated that he will never allow Iran to possess large quantities of highly enriched uranium. This remains the biggest deadlock between both nations.
The news of these peace talks has had a direct impact on the global oil market. Hopes of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have led to a drop in crude oil prices.
Brent crude prices fell by about 1.43% to reach $98.16 per barrel. Meanwhile, US WTI crude also dropped to $92.23 per barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil trade route. Large shipments of global fuel and fertilizers pass through here, affecting the entire global economy.
The European Union is also troubled by rising fertilizer prices due to this crisis. European agriculture ministers are working on a special plan in Brussels to relieve farmers.
While peace agreement talks are ongoing, the battlefield still smolders. Israel has intensified its attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
At least 31 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in the last 24 hours. Israel has issued strict warnings to evacuate around 50 Lebanese towns.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a dictator and urged Muslim nations to unite.
This initial draft of the agreement between Iran and the US could be a major step toward global peace. However, many hurdles remain to be crossed before a final agreement.
If this agreement is finalized within the next 60 days, it could be turned into a binding UN Security Council resolution, which would be a relief for the world.
*Edit with Google AI Studio
Pradeep Budawat
