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

Plans are in place to sign the agreement on Friday in Switzerland. However, previous announcements have fallen through, and details of the proposed deal remained disputed Monday.

Iran exchanged fire with the US and Israel last week, threatening to push the region back into full-scale war. The conflict, 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 that the terms for addressing Iran's nuclear program would be finalized during 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 the development of an atomic weapon — a key reason their leaders cited for going to war. Tehran has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, although 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 White House ground rules, said Friday that the emerging agreement would begin the process of destroying or removing Tehran's highly enriched uranium. Iran has disputed that claim, insisting it would retain its stockpile.

The official said the 60-day period after both sides sign the agreement would be used to work out technical details for removing the uranium. The official did not say who the US envisions taking responsibility for removing the material, which is believed to be buried beneath three nuclear sites damaged by US strikes last year.

The Deal May Include 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, a practice the US and other nations say violates international law. The strait has long been considered an international waterway, although it lies within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.

Disruptions in transit through the strait — a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas — have strained global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made essentials such as food and fertilizer more expensive far beyond the region.

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 Happens in Lebanon Remains Unclear

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said after the agreement was 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 US support and has launched wars against several regional adversaries since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack — agreed to that term.

Iran has insisted that any agreement 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 against Iran and would not withdraw from areas it occupies in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, nor from refugee camps in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Add as a preferred source on Google +