Temporary ceasefire under consideration would extend truce for two months while reopening the Strait of Hormuz and allowing Iran to resume oil exports, deferring nuclear talks.By World Israel News StaffThe United States and Iran are nearing a temporary agreement that would extend the ceasefire for 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow Tehran to resume oil sales while the two sides negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program, according to a US official cited in an Axios report published Sunday.The draft agreement would not settle the central nuclear disputes between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it would create a two-month diplomatic window in which the sides would try to reach a broader accord on Iran’s uranium enrichment program, its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and future sanctions relief.President Donald Trump said Saturday that an agreement with Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz had been “largely negotiated,” though the deal had not been finalized. AP reported that Iran’s state media described the proposal as a framework agreement focused on ending the conflict and launching more detailed talks within 30 to 60 days.Under the draft memorandum of understanding described by Axios, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and clear mines it placed in the waterway. The United States, in return, would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and issue sanctions waivers allowing Iran to sell oil.A US official described the arrangement as “relief for performance,” saying sanctions and blockade relief would move in step with Iranian actions to restore free navigation through the strait.The proposal would provide immediate relief to global energy markets, which have been under pressure since the closure of the strategic waterway. But it would also offer Iran a major short-term economic benefit before a final nuclear deal is reached.The draft requires Iran to commit that it will never pursue nuclear weapons and to negotiate over suspending uranium enrichment and removing its highly enriched uranium stockpile.Axios reported that Iran had conveyed verbal commitments through mediators about the concessions it may be prepared to make, but those details have not been confirmed by Tehran.The United States would agree during the 60-day period to negotiate over sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds. But those steps would be implemented only as part of a final agreement, according to the US official.US forces deployed to the region in recent months would remain there during the temporary deal and would withdraw only if a final agreement is reached.The proposed deal also includes language aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Axios. That provision has raised concern in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Trump on Saturday about the emerging agreement.A US official said the Lebanon component would not prevent Israel from acting if Hezbollah tried to rearm or resume attacks.“If Hezbollah behaves, Israel will behave,” the official said.The official also suggested Trump was weighing broader US interests against Netanyahu’s objections.“Bibi has his domestic considerations, but Trump has the interests of the US and the global economy to think about,” the official said, using Netanyahu’s nickname.Trump discussed the proposal Saturday with several Arab and Muslim leaders, including the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan, according to Axios. The leaders on the call supported the emerging deal.Axios reported that the White House hoped the remaining disputes could be resolved within hours and that a deal could be announced Sunday, but officials cautioned that it could still collapse.The US official said Washington could abandon the arrangement before the 60 days expire if it concludes Iran is not serious about nuclear negotiations. At the same time, US officials believe Iran’s economic strain gives Tehran an incentive to keep negotiating toward a final deal that would unlock broader sanctions relief and frozen assets.“It will be interesting to see how far Iran will be truly willing to go,” the official said, “but if they are capable of and want to change their trajectory, this next phase will force them to make some critical decisions on what they want to be as a country.”The post US, Iran near 60-day deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz – report appeared first on World Israel News.