US official says Iran war deal 'includes Lebanon'
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A senior U.S. official expressed 80-85% confidence in signing a peace deal with Iran in the coming days.
- The deal includes significant sanctions relief and asset unfreezing for Iran in exchange for dismantling its nuclear program.
- The agreement reportedly includes Lebanon, Iran, Gulf Coast countries, and Israel, addressing past sticking points.
A senior U.S. official stated on Friday that the administration is "80 to 85 percent" confident of finalizing a peace deal with Iran within days. This agreement would entail substantial sanctions relief and the release of Iranian assets, contingent upon Iran dismantling its nuclear program and relinquishing its nuclear materials.
I feel very good about the deal. I think the president has gotten to a very good spot.
"I feel very good about the deal. I think the president has gotten to a very good spot," the official told reporters on a call, speaking anonymously. While acknowledging that "we're not quite at the finish line yet, but we are very close," the official indicated that a signing location and date were still undecided, though Europe was a possibility.
We're not quite at the finish line yet, but we are very close.
The path toward this potential agreement reportedly cleared as Iran agreed to specific terms regarding the disposal of its enriched uranium. The U.S. also believes Iran's control over the critical Strait of Hormuz has diminished. Notably, the deal is said to include Lebanon, a significant factor that previously threatened to derail negotiations, especially given ongoing Israeli strikes against Iran's Hezbollah allies in the region.
If I were to give you a confidence that we were going to be signing this agreement, I maybe would have said 75 percent this morning, it's probably more like 80-85 percent now, but it's not 100 percent.
"It includes Lebanon, it includes Iran, it includes the Gulf Coast countries, and includes Israel," the official confirmed, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the proposed accord. The official reiterated the high, though not absolute, confidence in the deal's imminent finalization.
It includes Lebanon, it includes Iran, it includes the Gulf Coast countries, and includes Israel.
Originally published by Naharnet. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.