Iran "Ready to End Conflict"... Trump in Final Coordination for Peace Deal

US and Iran Seek Compromises on Nuclear Program and Frozen Assets

Strait of Hormuz and Uranium Remain Flashpoints

Trump to Hold Cabinet Meeting at Camp David on the 27th

The peace negotiations between the United States and Iran have reached a critical turning point. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly expressed his willingness to negotiate, stating that he is "ready to reach a 'framework with dignity' to end the war and current regional tensions." Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is holding a cabinet meeting at the presidential retreat Camp David to review the situation in the Middle East and the ongoing negotiations.

According to a statement released by the Iranian presidential office on the 26th (local time), President Pezeshkian told Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, who mediated the memorandum of understanding (MOU) negotiations for ending the war with the United States, that "Iran is prepared to move toward a 'framework with dignity' to end the war and current regional tensions."

President Pezeshkian said, "Now it is time for the other side (the United States) to show its willingness," adding, "Serious efforts are underway to finalize the relevant documents and provisions, including expert-level discussions." This statement is interpreted as an indication that the draft for a provisional agreement—including an extension of the ceasefire, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and resumption of nuclear negotiations—has entered the final stage of coordination.

Against this backdrop, the New York Post (NYP) reported that President Trump will hold a cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland on the 27th. This will be the 12th cabinet meeting since the launch of his second administration.

Camp David holds great symbolic significance in the history of U.S. diplomacy. It is the location where then-President Jimmy Carter brokered the Camp David Accords, a Middle East peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1978. President Trump also convened his security advisers at Camp David last year to discuss military options against Iran, launching airstrikes on nuclear facilities about two weeks later.

This meeting is expected to be attended by all cabinet members, including Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard. While the White House has stated that the agenda includes economic achievements, small business policy, government anti-fraud task force (TF) results, and the current state of foreign policy, the New York Post reports that the Iranian issue is expected to be the core topic.

Final Standoff over Nuclear Program and Unfreezing of Assets

However, it appears that a final standoff is taking place before the negotiations are concluded. The main points of contention are the unfreezing of assets and the handling of Iran's nuclear program. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Iran is demanding the release of at least 24 billion dollars out of approximately 100 billion dollars in assets frozen in the West. It has been reported that both sides are seeking a compromise to initially unfreeze about 12 billion dollars—approximately half of that amount—at the early stage of the negotiations.

This measure is intended to revive the economy, which has deteriorated due to the war and U.S. sanctions. Bloomberg reports that prolonged war and sanctions have intensified inflation and economic hardship, increasing domestic economic discontent in Iran. Analysts say that economic normalization is a key driving force for reaching a settlement.

On the other hand, the United States is increasing pressure regarding Iran's handling of highly enriched uranium. President Trump initially demanded that uranium be transferred to the United States, but according to the WSJ, he is now also considering options to send it to a third country under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision, or to dilute or dispose of it.

However, despite signs of progress in the negotiations, the risk of military conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has not been fully eliminated. The United States Central Command reported that it struck fast boats and missile launch facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that were attempting to lay mines in southern Iran. In response, Iran fired back at U.S. fighter jets and drones. The IRGC claimed to have shot down an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone and forced other aircraft to retreat.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.