US President Donald Trump has predicted that the war in Iran will be “over quickly” and says that most people “understand” his goal of ending Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
His comments come after Iran said a US proposal to end the war is “still being considered”.
US news outlet Axios reported that the White House believes it could be closing in on a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran, which could set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
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. These sources are reported as saying that many of the terms laid out in the memo would be contingent on a final agreement being reached.
The Reuters news agency reported that two sources briefed on the mediation between the US and Iran had confirmed the information initially reported by Axios, but the proposal has not been publicly outlined.
Speaking during a virtual campaign event on Wednesday evening, Trump told Republicans in the State of Georgia that he was optimistic that the war would end soon.