Trump: Iran Agrees to Hand Over Enriched Uranium Supply

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Iran has agreed to hand over its store of enriched uranium, stating that the two nations are “close” to a peace deal to end the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East since Feb. 28.

Progress Toward US-Iran Peace Deal

The announcement follows previous US threats to resume airstrikes on the Islamic republic and maintain a naval blockade of its ports if Tehran refused to accept a resolution to the conflict.

The Iranian ambassador to the UN expressed “cautious optimism” regarding the negotiations to end hostilities, stating hope for a “meaningful outcome.”

Diplomatic efforts have been supported by Pakistan, with army chief Asim Munir meeting Iran’s speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Thursday. Ghalibaf previously led the Iranian delegation during a first round of talks last week that ended without an agreement.

Israel and Lebanon Agree to Truce

In a separate development, President Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day truce effective Thursday. The US President expects the leaders of both countries to visit the White House in “four or five days.”

The ceasefire was welcomed by the prime ministers of both Lebanon and Israel. The agreement comes shortly after a separate truce was reached between the US and Iran.

Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim al-Moussawi stated that the Iran-backed armed group, which has been fighting Israel since early March, would respect the ceasefire provided that Israeli attacks on militants cease.