US, Iran closing in on one-page memo to end war as talks progress: Report
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The United States and Iran are reportedly nearing a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and restarting diplomatic engagement.
According to Axios, the White House believes negotiations with Iran are moving closer to a breakthrough on a one-page memorandum of understanding (MoU), which is expected to outline a pathway to end the ongoing conflict and lay the groundwork for more detailed nuclear talks.
The US expects Iranian responses on several key points within the next 48 hours. However, it also cautioned that no agreement has been reached yet, while noting that this is the closest the two sides have come to an understanding since the war began.
The proposed deal reportedly includes Iran agreeing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment. In return, the US would lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. Both sides would also ease restrictions related to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported.
The draft framework is structured as a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding. It is intended to outline immediate steps to halt hostilities and open a 30-day window for negotiations on a more comprehensive and detailed agreement.
Trump pauses Project Freedom in Hormuz
The development comes after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in “Project Freedom”, a US-led initiative aimed at assisting stranded vessels in exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed,” Trump said in a social media post on Tuesday. He noted “great progress” toward what he described as a “complete and final agreement” with Iran.
Despite the pause in facilitating ship movements, Trump clarified that a US blockade targeting vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports would remain “in full force and effect.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that US offensive operations against Iran had ended. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Rubio indicated that Washington is now focusing on protecting shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a shift from offensive actions to defensive positioning.
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Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, on Thursday dismissed reports about a possible arrangement between Iran and the United States, accusing American media outlets of spreading what he described as recurring misinformation campaigns, according to Iranian state media Press TV.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf mocked recent reports published by US-based outlet Axios, sarcastically referring to them as "Operation Fauxios."
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The West Bengal Police are examining CCTV footage and have formed several teams to trace the assailants as part of its investigation into the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Thursday.
The police are also probing whether contract killers were engaged in the murder of Chandranath Rath.
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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said that a potential deal with Iran to achieve a complete solution to the crisis in West Asia remains "very possible", adding that recent discussions between the two sides have been positive and sustained over the past two days.
Speaking at the Oval Office during an event previewing UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, Trump said, "They want to make a deal badly, and we'll see if we get there. If we get there, they can't have nuclear weapons."
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AirAsia X Bhd will buy 150 Canadian-made Airbus SE A220 aircraft, a multibillion-dollar sale for the European planemaker that will provide a boost for its manufacturing site in Quebec.
Tony Fernandes, co-founder of the Southeast Asian budget carrier, signed the agreement at the Airbus Canada factory in Mirabel, Quebec, where the plane is made. The announcement confirms an earlier Bloomberg News report.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday paid tribute to the valour and sacrifices of the Indian armed forces on the anniversary of Operation Sindoor.
He described the operation as a "powerful symbol of national resolve and preparedness," saying it reflected the armed forces' unmatched precision, seamless jointness and readiness to act decisively in safeguarding the nation.
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