The United States and Iran have reached an agreement brokered by Pakistan, which is expected to be announced within hours and will take effect immediately. This was written by al Arabiya, according to which the terms of the agreement include an immediate ceasefire, a mutual commitment not to strike military, civil or economic infrastructure, the guarantee of freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman and the start of negotiations on pending issues – likely a reference to the Iranian nuclear issue – within seven days, in addition to the gradual lifting of US sanctions in exchange for Iran’s commitment to respect the terms of the agreement.
Rubio: “Start thinking about plan B if Iran doesn’t reopen Hormuz”
The United States “hopes to reach an agreement” with Iran for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the abandonment of nuclear ambitions. Negotiations are ongoing and some recognized “progress” has been recorded but much remains to be done. However, it is essential to “draw up a plan B” for scenarios in which Iran refuses to reopen the Strait or imposes a toll. “We need to start thinking about what we will do if, in a few weeks, Iran decides to keep it closed.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the end of the NATO ministerial in a meeting with some newspapers, including ANSA.
“If Iran refuses then someone will have to step in and do something about it. The United States could do it. But there are countries that have expressed interest in potentially participating in such an operation. If, in fact, we were to get to that point, the US wouldn’t need their help but they are willing to help and I think we should accept their offer. But I don’t think there were any concrete commitments or requests today. It would be premature,” he added. “I know there is a plan for what to do if the shooting stops. This is what the Franco-British initiative talks about when it talks about ‘met conditions’. By ‘conditions met’ we mean that no one is shooting, but we need to have a plan B in case someone continues to shoot.”