Qeshm Island, positioned within the crucial Strait of Hormuz, was shaken by explosions on Thursday. Iranian state television confirmed that these blasts occurred amidst an ongoing ‘exchange of fire.’
An announcer on state TV, speaking in Farsi, stated, “The explosions at Bahman pier on Qeshm Island arose during an exchange of fire between Iranian armed forces and the adversary.”
Meanwhile, Fox News has reported that airstrikes are taking place in the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.
According to U.S. officials, they do not consider these developments to signify a ‘resumption of war’ or an ‘end to the ceasefire.’
However, Iran’s top military command has accused the United States of conducting air attacks on ‘civilian areas’ with assistance from certain regional nations.
This situation unfolds as President Trump has issued a one-page memo proposing concessions in hopes of achieving a lasting peace agreement. The proposal includes lifting U.S. sanctions, unfreezing billions in assets, and allowing a pathway for uranium enrichment.
The 14-point memorandum of understanding is being negotiated between senior Iranian officials and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The White House believes the memo could finalize a framework to end the war within 48 hours.
If signed, a 30-day window would open for both countries to negotiate a larger agreement covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of all US sanctions on Iran, and new limits on its nuclear program.
The deal calls for Iran to halt all uranium enrichment for 12 to 15 years with automatic extensions if Tehran violates the terms, according to Axios.
Another key provision would have the regime remove its highly enriched uranium stockpile from the country, though the memo does not specify a destination
The deal, if signed, would formally end the war and open a 30-day window for both countries to negotiate a larger agreement covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of all US sanctions on Iran, and new limits on its nuclear program
If signed, the memo would formally end the war and open a 30-day window for both countries to negotiate a larger agreement covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Trump has been at pains to avoid anything resembling the 2015 Obama deal he spent years trashing as the ‘worst deal ever’
Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, on Monday
Trump’s latest proposal to Iran includes some key elements that are similar to the nuclear deal secured by Barack Obama which the President got rid of in his first term
Another key provision would have the regime remove its highly enriched uranium stockpile from the country, though the memo does not specify a destination.
Trump has been at pains to avoid anything resembling the 2015 Obama deal he spent years trashing as the ‘worst deal ever.’ But the emerging framework echoes it in striking ways: sanctions lifted, frozen billions released and Iran capped at the same 3.67 percent enrichment level agreed to by Obama.
Oil prices plunged on news of the proposed deal with Brent crude, the global benchmark, falling by more than 10 percent to below $100 per barrel. Stock futures tied to the Dow rose 1.1 percent, S&P 500 futures surged 0.9 percent, while Nasdaq futures climbed 1.6 percent.
Behind the scenes, Israel is already lining up fresh strikes on Iran should the deal collapse, with senior Iranian officials and the country’s energy infrastructure squarely in the crosshairs, an Israeli source told CNN.
The bombardments had been ready for execution on the eve of the ceasefire agreed in early April and were accelerated again this week after Iranian missiles were fired toward the United Arab Emirates on Monday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wary of Tehran’s peace overtures from the outset, is said to favor ‘a short campaign aimed at pressuring Iran into further concessions in negotiations,’ the source added.
