BBC World reports: A senior member of Iran's parliament has dismissed it as a "wish list", while a foreign ministry spokesman said Tehran would share its views of a US proposal with Pakistani mediators. Pakistan's foreign minister said his country was "endeavouring to convert this ceasefire into a permanent end to this war". In its report, Axios describes the memorandum as a one-page, 14-point memo which could set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
Among the provisions it lists are a suspension on Iranian nuclear enrichment, the lifting of sanctions, and restoring free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.It cites two US officials and two other sources - all unnamed - whom it describes as briefed on the issues. That was after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the operation was over after achieving its objectives.Trump also said, not for the first time, that Iran has agreed to never have a nuclear weapon "among other things" - a claim that has not been confirmed by Tehran. Iran's nuclear programme has been one of the key sticking points between the two sides."They [Iran] want to make a deal.
Background
We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it's very possible that we'll make a deal up there," Trump said, adding: "I think we won."He announced on Tuesday that he was pausing Project Freedom, just days after announcing it. The operation was meant to help restore the flow of oil and the global economy's eventual return to normalcy by guiding stranded ships out of the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has yet to react publicly to the pause but the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) alluded to the strait reopening if there is an "end of the aggressors' threats".The crucial waterway, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes, has effectively been blockaded by Iran since the US and Israel began attacking it in late February.In early April, the US and Iran announced a ceasefire under which Iran ended its drone and missile strikes on Gulf countries including the UAE, but few vessels have been able to transit the strait since then.
Key facts
- Pakistan's foreign minister said his country was "endeavouring to convert this ceasefire into a permanent end to this war".
- In its report, Axios describes the memorandum as a one-page, 14-point memo which could set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
- Iran's nuclear programme has been one of the key sticking points between the two sides."They [Iran] want to make a deal.
What this means
The US also imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports, saying it has stopped dozens of ships. US Central Command said on Wednesday it had shot at and disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was trying to break the blockade.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that there was "full coordination" between himself and Trump over Iran. "There are no surprises.
We share common goals, and the most important objective is the removal of all enriched material from Iran and the dismantling of Iran's enrichment capabilities," he said. His comments came after Israel launched its first strike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, since a ceasefire was agreed in April. Netanyahu wrote on social media that forces had targeted a senior Hezbollah commander "responsible for firing at Israeli settlements and harming IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers".Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia and political party, began striking Israel in early March in retaliation for its attacks on Iran.
Originally reported by BBC World. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
