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Original article: ¿Se apaga la guerra?: Axios revela que EE.UU. e Irán estarían cerca de pacto para frenar conflicto y negociar programa nuclear

Is the U.S. War Against Iran Coming to an End? This question looms large in the international arena after the U.S. digital outlet Axios reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic may be just steps away from sealing an agreement to halt the conflict and open negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

According to Axios, the White House believes it is close to a deal with Iran involving a one-page memorandum to end the war and establish a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations, as stated by two U.S. officials and two additional informed sources.

The conflict began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran, resulting in the deaths of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, high-ranking military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, and Iranian civilians, including women and children.

In retaliation, the Islamic nation launched a counter-operation dubbed «True Promise 4» against Israeli territory and U.S. bases in Arab Gulf nations.

After 40 days of crossfire, Iran and the U.S. reached a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which Washington extended indefinitely, despite unsuccessful negotiations in Pakistan due to excessive demands and violations of the ceasefire by Trump, who imposed a naval blockade on Iran and attacked vessels from the Persian nation. Tehran responded by restricting passage through the Strait of Hormuz and warned it would not re-engage in negotiations until the White House lifted the maritime blockade.

Axios: «This is the Closest the Parties Have Been to an Agreement»

According to U.S. officials cited by Axios, the next 48 hours will be crucial as Tehran’s response on key points is expected.

«Nothing has been agreed upon yet, but sources indicated that this is the closest the parties have been to an agreement since the war began,» they stated.

The memorandum of understanding, comprising one page and 14 points, is being negotiated by Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside various Iranian officials, both directly and through intermediaries.

The document stipulates that Iran would commit to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the United States would lift its sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, and both parties would eliminate restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s traded oil passes.

«In its current form, the memorandum would declare the end of the war in the region and initiate a 30-day negotiation period to establish a detailed agreement aimed at opening the strait, limiting Iran’s nuclear program, and lifting U.S. sanctions,» Axios reported.

Sources indicated that the Persian nation would commit to an immediate moratorium on uranium enrichment. Specifically, Tehran proposes a five-year timeframe, while Washington demands 20 years, with preliminary projections suggesting a middle ground of 12 to 15 years.

However, Axios warned that many terms outlined in the memorandum would depend on reaching a final agreement, leaving open the possibility of «the resumption of war» or a prolonged limbo where crossfire ceases but with «nothing truly resolved.»

Informants noted that the White House believes Iranian leadership is divided and achieving consensus among different factions could be challenging.

Furthermore, the outlet reported that while some members of the Trump administration remain skeptical about whether a preliminary agreement will even be reached, others have expressed optimism regarding the signing of a pact.

Axios specifically referred to statements from two officials who claimed that President Trump’s decision to suspend the recently announced operation in the Strait of Hormuz and avoid the collapse of the fragile ceasefire was based on progress made in negotiations.

The Republican mogul himself posted on his Truth Social network that the halt to military operations, which had commenced on Sunday, May 3, was due to «considerable progress towards an agreement» with Tehran. However, he did not provide further details.

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