US Official Says Iran Agreed in Principle to Scrap Enriched Uranium as 60-Day Truce Takes Shape

The US and Iran are drafting a peace agreement to end the war, including a 60-day ceasefire, and a US official said Iran has agreed in principle to give up its enriched uranium. Washington is also preparing a plan to ease sanctions in stages based on the extent of Tehran’s nuclear rollback. The additional disclosure appears intended to blunt criticism of extending a truce without clearly resolving Iran’s nuclear program. Iran did not immediately deny the claim.

◆"Different From Obama"

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on May 24 that if he reaches a deal with Iran, it will be a "good, proper deal" and different from the one struck by former President Barack Obama, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. He added that no one yet knows the details because negotiations have not been completed. "Don’t listen to the losers criticizing something they know nothing about," Trump wrote. Earlier that morning, he said talks with Iran were proceeding in an orderly and constructive way and that he had instructed negotiators not to rush into an agreement.

Trump’s comments followed reports in US and Iranian media on May 23 that a draft agreement would prioritize reopening the Strait of Hormuz and leave Iran’s nuclear issue for later talks, prompting criticism from hawks. Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee from Mississippi, said a 60-day ceasefire based on trust in Iran’s goodwill would be disastrous. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, said the deal would put "Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shiite militias in Iraq on steroids."

◆Iran Doesn’t Rebut Nuclear "Agreement in Principle"

The US official’s statement that Iran had made an agreement in principle on the nuclear issue appears aimed at easing those concerns. The New York Times and other outlets reported that the official told a media briefing on May 24 that Iran had agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and scrap its enriched uranium. The official added that securing approval from Trump and from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could take several days. Still, an "agreement in principle" appears to mean a broad political understanding rather than an immediate transfer of enriched uranium.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting India, told reporters on May 24 that the nuclear issue is not something that can be scribbled on the back of a napkin and wrapped up in 72 hours. He said on the night of May 23 he thought there might be good news, perhaps as soon as May 24, signaling that an agreement could be near. Rubio then cautioned against overreading the situation.

The New York Times reported that the US is pursuing a phased exchange in which Iran would get the sanctions relief it wants in return for giving up nuclear material. Under that approach, the amount of frozen overseas assets released and the scope of sanctions relief would be proportional to the extent of Iran’s nuclear concessions. CNN also cited a US official as saying sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets would be possible only if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and Iran implements a nuclear deal.

◆Lebanon Ceasefire Also Key

Unlike a day earlier, Iranian media on May 24 focused less on directly rebutting US statements and more on whether promises made to Iran would be honored. Fars News Agency said Iran negotiates with Washington only when there are tangible economic benefits. It identified the release of frozen assets and the lifting of sanctions on oil, petrochemicals and derivatives as Iran’s core interests, and said the debate now centers on whether the US will keep its promises in those areas. The tone suggested acknowledgment of a broad understanding.

The terms for reopening the strait and a ceasefire in Lebanon remain unresolved. For the 60-day truce, Iran is demanding an end to fighting in all theaters, including Lebanon. The US broadly agrees, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conveyed concerns to Trump, according to the report. Rubio said on May 24 that Israel always has the right to defend itself and that retaliatory action against Hezbollah attacks could be acceptable. That leaves the situation little changed.

Iran is also insisting on retaining control as a condition for reopening the strait, while Rubio is demanding an immediate reopening with no transit fees. Tasnim News Agency reported that Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on May 24 that while agreement on many topics was a positive development, that did not mean a final accord was ready to be signed. He added that the US position continues to change.

Oil prices tumbled as the prospect of reopening the strait gained traction. Brent crude for July delivery fell about 5% on May 24 to trade in the $98-a-barrel range. West Texas Intermediate for July delivery dropped more than 5% to around $91 a barrel.

Lee Sang-eun, Washington correspondent, Hankyung.com, selee@hankyung.com