In a telephone conversation with reporters, a senior US official read out the text of a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the US-Israel war with Iran.
The agreement, which is scheduled to be signed in a ceremony by both countries on Friday, is the clearest announcement yet by President Donald Trump’s administration about the deal.
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Neither the United States nor Iran have released physical copies of the agreement. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the U.S. version of the document.
U.S. officials said the memorandum would halt fighting on all fronts in Lebanon, lift the U.S. naval blockade and open the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.
The official said the initial agreement would begin 60 days of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, future control of the Strait of Hormuz, lifting U.S. sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets and a $300 billion U.S.-backed reconstruction plan.
The US will also immediately grant sanctions relief to Iran’s fossil fuel industry.
The official said the initial agreement had already been electronically signed by the United States and Iran, leaving both sides free to withdraw before Friday’s scheduled signing.
Officials’ verbatim explanations of the 14 items are as follows:
One:
“The United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and their allies in the current war, by signing a memorandum of understanding, declare an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and from now on launch wars and military operations against each other. “The final agreement confirms the permanent cessation of war against all nations, including those in Lebanon and the other provisions of this section.” ”
two:
“The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran are committed to respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refraining from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.”
three:
“The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran are committed to negotiating and reaching a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days, with extension possible if mutually agreed.”
4:
“Immediately after the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of the naval blockade and all interference and obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will completely end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, shipping traffic will be proportionate to the pre-war traffic restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States further undertakes to remove its military from the vicinity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Within 30 days after the final transaction. ”
Five:
“Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make its best efforts to provide free and safe navigation of commercial vessels from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa for a period of 60 days. National demining will begin within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will engage in dialogue with the Sultanate of Iran.” Oman called for the future administrative and maritime services of the Strait of Hormuz to be defined in consultation with other Persian Gulf states, in line with applicable international law and the sovereignty of the Strait of Hormuz states. ”
Six:
“The United States is committed to working with regional partners to develop a final, mutually agreed-upon plan for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran at a cost of at least US$300 billion. The implementation mechanisms for this plan will be finalized within 60 days as part of the final agreement. All necessary licenses, exemptions, and permits for related financial transactions will be granted by the United States.”
Seven:
“As part of the final agreement, the United States commits to ending all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including United Nations Security Council resolutions, namely IAEA Council resolutions, and all primary and secondary U.S. unilateral sanctions, in accordance with the agreed schedule. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States recognize the critical importance of the sanctions-determination issues described above and have expressed their intention to immediately address these issues in negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on the agreement.” ”
Eight:
“The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposal of stockpiled enriched material according to a mutually agreed upon mechanism according to the schedule set forth in paragraph 7, using a minimal methodology of on-site down-blending under IAEA supervision. The two countries agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed upon matters related to the Islamic Republic.”Based on the satisfactory framework agreed to in the final agreement, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran recognize the importance of the above-mentioned nuclear issues and express their commitment to immediately address these issues in negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement. ”
Nine:
“Until a final agreement is reached, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions or deploy additional troops to the region.”
10:
“The United States commits that, immediately after signing the Memorandum of Understanding, the U.S. Treasury will exempt exports of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, etc., until sanctions end.”
Eleven:
“The United States of America is committed to making fully available the frozen and insecure funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In implementing this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree upon procedures related to the release of these funds during negotiations. Whether held in an account or transferred, it shall be made fully available for payment to the ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank, i.e. the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”Iran undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly. ”
12:
“The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an enforcement mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and future compliance with the final agreement.”
13:
“Following the signing of this MOU, subject to the commencement of implementation of Sections 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this MOU, and the continued implementation of these measures, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin negotiations on a final agreement with respect to other sections only.”
Fourteen:
“The final agreement will be approved by a binding Security Council resolution.”
