US and Iran near deal, signing expected within days

The U.S. and Iran are very close to an agreement to resolve their conflict, with a signing expected within days, a senior U.S. official said on June 12, according to Reuters. "The negotiating team has put us in a very advantageous position, but we have not yet reached a complete agreement," the official said, adding, "However, we are very close." The official explained that the agreed-upon terms achieve President Donald Trump's core objectives and that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. Additionally, Iran's highly enriched uranium is scheduled to be destroyed locally before being shipped out of the country. The official added that Iran would not gain anything from simply signing the MOU or from the negotiations themselves. Iran will only receive economic compensation after fulfilling the obligations specified in the agreement. According to the official, if Iran hands over its nuclear material as promised, it will receive a corresponding reward, and it will receive further compensation if it dismantles its nuclear program or facilities.