The United States and Iran are set to sign a ceasefire agreement this Friday in Switzerland, aiming to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, disputes over Iran's nuclear program threaten to derail the fragile peace.
According to a senior U.S. administration official, the proposed deal would initiate the destruction or removal of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile. This claim has been directly rejected by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who insists Tehran will retain its uranium. The disagreement centers on provisions within a 60-day window after signing, during which technical details would be finalized. The U.S. official remained vague on who would oversee the removal process, noting only that the uranium is believed to be stored beneath three nuclear sites damaged in last year's U.S. strikes.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
The deal also includes plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane disrupted by the conflict. Iran has demanded the right to charge vessels for passage, a practice the U.S. and other nations deem illegal under international law. The strait’s closure has driven up global energy prices, impacting fuel, food, and fertilizer costs worldwide.
Sanctions Relief and Lebanon Ceasefire
Regional officials indicate the agreement will phase out sanctions on Iran and unfreeze Iranian assets. However, uncertainty remains over Lebanon, where Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, continues to clash with Israeli forces. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel reserves the right to act independently, refusing to withdraw from occupied zones in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank.
"Israel will not pull out of the zones it is occupying, nor will it withdraw from the northern refugee camps," Katz stated.
As Friday’s signing approaches, the unresolved disputes over uranium removal and regional ceasefire terms cast doubt on the agreement’s viability.