US, Iran Near Peace Deal: Axios

Iran and the U.S. are nearing a potential deal centered on a brief memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war and outlining a path for more detailed nuclear talks, Axios reported.

Citing two US officials and two additional sources familiar with the matter, it said the US is expecting Tehran’s response on several key issues within the next 48 hours.

The publication noted that while no agreement has been finalized, the two sides are closer than any point since the war began.

Iran Cautious

However, Iran exuded caution in any potential peace deal with Washington. Iranian President Pezeshkian in a phone call with the new Iraqi PM-designate Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi on Tuesday said, “The Islamic Republic is ready for any form of dialogue within the framework of the international law, but based on its beliefs and convictions, it will never submit to coercion.

"If they speak to us with logic, dialogue is possible; but the language of threats and bullying will lead nowhere," the president added.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remained quiet today with both Iran and the US Navy not announcing any targeting of ships.

Rubio calls on UN to help open Hormuz

An indication that Washington was changing its hard-line stance against Tehran came when US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio said during a briefing this morning, “We’re asking the UN to call on Iran to stop blowing up ships, remove the mines, and allow humanitarian relief. If the international community can’t rally behind this and solve something so straightforward, then I don’t know what the utility of the UN system is.