US and Iran edge toward war-end pact — Axios

According to the publication’s sources, the US leadership’s decision to suspend the Project Freedom mission in the Strait of Hormuz is linked to progress in the negotiations.

The draft memorandum is based on a 14-point US plan that calls for a cessation of hostilities in the region and the start of 30 days of negotiations on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, and the prospects for lifting US sanctions.

Project Freedom

US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to him, this is necessary to assess the possibility of reaching a peace agreement with Iran, while the blockade of Iranian ports continues.

The US mission, dubbed Project Freedom, aimed to free commercial ships stranded in the Persian Gulf.

According to the Pentagon, this involves about 22,500 sailors on more than 1,500 ships.

Iranian state media have already called the pause a victory and accused Trump of backing down.

The day before, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the active phase of the confrontation with Iran was over and that Washington had achieved its goals.

Peace talks

The first round of talks took place after the ceasefire was announced in April, but the second round never happened. Despite this, Trump kept the ceasefire in place, waiting for Iran to take the initiative.

Last week, Iran submitted its version of the agreement. It proposed opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war, but postponing the issue of the nuclear program. Trump called this proposal unacceptable.

According to media reports, Iran subsequently scaled back its demands and allegedly agreed to negotiations on the nuclear program, though it is unclear whether the US has officially received this updated proposal.