Iran has circulated competing drafts of a proposed interim agreement with the United States, even as President Donald Trump insisted on sticking to his Sunday deadline for signing a deal. The differing texts, at least three in total, share common elements such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz, granting Iran sanctions relief, and initiating long-term negotiations over its nuclear program. However, they diverge significantly on key details, particularly regarding the extent of immediate financial relief for Iran.
Discrepancies Over Sanctions and Funding
One major point of contention centers on how much financial relief Iran would receive either immediately or in the future. This has raised concerns among Iran hawks in the US who fear Trump may concede too much. A version of the draft seen by Bloomberg News suggests the creation of a $300 billion reconstruction program for Iran, contingent on reaching a final deal. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that a draft included the release of $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets, a provision absent in the Bloomberg document.
We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!
Confusion Amid Regional Tensions
The competing drafts have added to the confusion surrounding the prospects for a deal, which aims to end hostilities that began with US and Israeli missile attacks on Iran in late February. The conflict has killed thousands, destabilized the Middle East, and driven up oil prices. While Trump has repeatedly claimed the two sides are close to an agreement, Iranian officials and Pakistani mediators have also hinted at progress. However, Iran has expressed reluctance to sign a deal on Trump’s 80th birthday, citing symbolic concerns.
The Trump administration has yet to provide detailed public statements on the deal’s specifics, reflecting the president’s dilemma of wanting to end the war while resisting Iranian demands that critics argue would amount to a victory for Tehran. A senior US official stated that the deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and initiate negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, but reconciling the competing drafts remains a significant challenge.