Mark Weiss stressed however that there was still no deal and still no confirmation from the sides that final agreement has been agreed to on a text even.
According to reports, a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be signed within days.
Mark Weiss, correspondent with The Irish Times, told The Pat Kenny Show, that there was “more optimism now than at any time in the past over the ongoing negotiations.”
Statements from the Iranian foreign minister and the Pakistani prime minister, who are involved in these negotiations, have been released, confirming that a deal with the USA is close.
Mr Weiss stressed however that there was still no deal and still no confirmation from the sides that final agreement has been agreed to on a text even.
“What's at stake here is a memorandum of understanding to be signed between the sides”, he told Newstalk.
“A framework agreement during which a 60 day ceasefire will be observed. The Strait of Hormuz will be opened pretty quickly, as will the US lifting its sanctions on Iranian ports.
“During this 60 day ceasefire, negotiations will take place on the more contentious issues, such as Iran's nuclear enriched substances, what will happen to them, Iran's capacity to enrich uranium in the future, what will happen with Lebanon, what will happen with Iranian proxies for example.”
He added that intense negotiations will take place during that 60 day period and that sanctions release were of paramount importance.
Iranian pro-government supporters take part in a rally. Photo by: ZUMA Press. “It's absolutely critical for the Iranian regime”, he told Newstalk.
“Their economy is in a catastrophic situation. It was bad enough before the war.
Now it's even worse, significantly worse.
“The West focuses on the economic impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Western economies, the price of oil, increasing inflation, etc. But it's also disastrous for the Iranian regime.
“They need those funds unfrozen and released as quickly as possible to help the Iranian economy, to help the regime.”
Only when Iran has implemented concrete measures on the questions such as removing the nuclear enriched substances.
Donald Trump - US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at an event. While Israel and most Western intelligence agencies believe that Iran is gearing towards having nuclear weapons of their own, the country itself has previously stated it has no such aspirations.
Mr Weiss added that Hezbollah promised not to launch projectiles into Israel proper, but they can continue fighting against Israeli troops in Lebanon.
“That's another very critical point as far as Israel is concerned.
“What will this emerging deal between the US and Iran specifically say about Lebanon and the continuing Israeli troop presence in South Lebanon along the northern border with Israel?”
Main Image: A 'Ceasefire Now' banner on Dublin's Liberty Hall, 4-1-24. Image: SIPTU.
