Islamabad, June 15: The United States and Iran have reached an interim deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

There are plans for a signing of the deal on Friday in Switzerland. However, previous announcements fell through, and what the deal contained remained in dispute Monday.

Iran exchanged fire with the US and Israel last week, threatening to push the region back into a full-scale war. The war launched by the US and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the region and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7.

Here’s what to know:

A 60-day period would address Iran’s nuclear program

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday the terms of dealing with Iran’s nuclear program would be finalized in the 60 days after the initial agreement is signed and that the parties could decide to extend that period.

The US and Israel fear Iran’s nuclear program could lead to an atomic weapon — a main reason their leaders cited for going to war. Tehran has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, though it has enough highly enriched uranium to build several atomic bombs, should it choose to do so.

A senior US administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said Friday that the emerging agreement would begin the process of destroying or removing Tehran’s highly enriched uranium. That’s something disputed by Iran, which has insisted it would hold onto its stockpile.

The official said the 60-day period after both sides sign the deal would be used to work out technical details for removing the uranium. The official did not say who the US envisions taking charge of removing the uranium, which is believed to be entombed under three nuclear sites battered by US strikes last year.

The deal may include addressing reopening the Strait of Hormuz

The US official said the emerging agreement includes provisions for reopening the strait.

Araghchi said Iran wants a deal that allows Tehran to charge ships “for services rendered” when they transit the strait. Iran charged vessels for passage during the war, which the US and other nations have said violates international law. The strait long has been considered an international water though it sits in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.

Transit through the strait, a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas, has disrupted global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made food and other basics like fertilizer more expensive well beyond the region.

The agreement would include Iranian sanctions relief

Three regional officials said the emerging deal was expected to include the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.

What will happen to Lebanon remains unclear

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said after the deal had been announced that “both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” It remains unclear whether Israel, which relies on the US but has launched in wars against its enemies since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, agreed to that term.

Iran has insisted that any deal must include a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Friday that Israel could still act independently toward Iran and that the country would not pull out of the zones it is occupying in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, nor would it withdraw from the northern refugee camps of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

New Delhi, June 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with the President of France, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, at Villa Kerylos in Nice on Sunday. This was the first meeting of the two leaders since the elevation of India-France ties to the level of ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ earlier this year.

The two leaders held extensive discussions covering diverse aspects of bilateral relations. They expressed satisfaction at the excellent growth and depth of bilateral defence collaboration across all domains and agreed to further intensify it with focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and advanced technologies.

Both leaders noted the rich legacy of cooperation in the space sector and discussed furthering collaboration in human spaceflight and space situational awareness. They also discussed ways to expand private sector collaboration in space. In civil nuclear energy, they noted that India’s SHANTI Act creates new opportunities for collaboration, including on small and advanced modular reactors.

Reviewing the progress under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, both leaders also shared concrete ideas to strengthen and diversify bilateral ties in the fields of economic growth, technology and innovation, talent mobility and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. In this context, they noted the steady growth in bilateral trade and agreed to set up a High-level Mechanism to double it within five years. They called for early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which offers a unique opportunity to expand bilateral trade and investment.

The leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the SME, aviation and railway sectors. They welcomed the agreement to establish a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur. Welcoming the establishment of a Dialogue on Economic Security, both leaders agreed to strengthen supply chain resilience, especially in critical minerals.

Recognizing the key role of innovation and technology in the bilateral relationship, both sides adopted an “Innovation Roadmap 2030” to give the partnership a long-term direction. Both leaders discussed expanding cooperation on Artificial Intelligence and agreed to create a Joint India-France AI Working Group for the purpose.

The joint inauguration of Bharat Innovates at Nice by the leaders, and Prime Minister’s upcoming participation at Vivatech in Paris have further strengthened the partnership between the two countries in sectors such as deep-tech, semiconductors, agri-tech, med-tech, renewable energy, defence and space. Both leaders appreciated the continued expansion of UPI in France, as well as the signing of 19 agreements among institutions in the innovation ecosystems of both countries. 

The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties. In this context, Prime Minister thanked President Macron for the swift operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports. They further discussed ways to enhance the mobility of talent and students between the two countries and expanding mutual recognition of educational qualifications.

Prime Minister invited French universities to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy. The leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation among museums and cultural institutions, including the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal.

The leaders exchanged perspectives on matters of global importance, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine. Prime Minter looked forward to participating in the upcoming G7 summit in Evian and thanked President Macron for engaging India in substantive discussions leading up to the summit.

Both leaders reiterated the importance of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership in creating further opportunities for the peoples of the two countries and advancing international peace, stability and prosperity.

Prime Minister and President Macron also viewed the works of French artists Mr. Thibault De La Lance and Mr. Théophile de Bascher created during their 10-day art residency in Jaipur, India. The artists drew inspiration from Indian heritage and aesthetics resulting in works reflecting the cultural confluence of India and France. 

Following the talks, President Macron hosted a lunch in honour of Prime Minister Modi