The United States has released the text of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to stop the war. A senior US administration official read out the 14-point document on Wednesday.
The memorandum of understanding calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of certain financial sanctions on Iran, and the expectation that Iran’s nuclear program will be addressed in future talks.
It is titled ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran’. There was a lot of criticism for not publicly disclosing the agreement. The United States released it in response.
The US official said, “This is basically a deal that allows us to immediately open the Strait of Hormuz. There is also a commitment from the Iranians to destroy their nuclear waste. Then we have the opportunity to control the situation. If Iran behaves well, we will also respond positively. They will be given economic benefits and sanctions will be eased so that they can become a more prosperous country.”
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday, after which a 60-day period will begin to negotiate a final agreement.
The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have jointly agreed in good faith to the following:
1. The United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and their allies in the ongoing war sign this MOU to declare an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. They will henceforth not initiate any war or military operations against each other. They will refrain from the use or threat of force against each other. They will also ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The permanent end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, will be confirmed in the final agreement. The other provisions of this article will also be confirmed there.
2. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They will refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
3. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to reaching a final agreement through negotiations within a maximum of 60 days. This period may be extended by mutual consent.
4. Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States will begin to lift its naval blockade and remove any obstacles or threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States will fully lift the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, Iran will create conditions for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to return to pre-war conditions. The United States will withdraw its military forces from the vicinity of Iran within 30 days of the final agreement.
5. After the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will provide safe passage for commercial vessels free of charge. They will make every effort to facilitate the passage of vessels from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of ​​Oman and vice versa. However, this will only be applicable for 60 days. Commercial vessel traffic will resume immediately and, taking into account the need to remove technical and military obstacles, Iran will remove mines within 30 days. Iran will discuss with Oman how the Strait of Hormuz will be managed and how naval services will be provided in the future, in accordance with international law and while preserving the sovereign rights of the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz. They will also talk to other relevant Gulf countries in this regard.
6. The United States, in cooperation with regional partners, will develop a specific and mutually agreed upon plan for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at a cost of at least $300 billion. The implementation of this plan will be finalized within 60 days and will be part of a final agreement between the United States and Iran. The United States will provide all necessary licenses, permits, and authorizations for related financial transactions.
7. As part of the final agreement, the United States will lift all sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran in accordance with a mutually agreed upon schedule. This will include resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. It will also lift all primary and secondary sanctions imposed unilaterally by the United States. Iran and the United States recognize the critical importance of lifting these sanctions. They have expressed their willingness to immediately resolve these issues through negotiations in order to reach a mutual understanding in this regard.
8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not acquire or develop nuclear weapons. The United States and Iran agree to dispose of their stockpiled enriched uranium through a mutually agreed process. This will be done in accordance with the schedule set out in Article 7, and upon mutual consent. They will be neutralized (downblended) at designated locations using minimal means under IAEA supervision. The two sides agree to discuss the issue of uranium enrichment on the basis of a satisfactory framework agreed upon in the final agreement. They will also discuss other issues related to Iran’s nuclear needs. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article. The United States and Iran recognize the critical importance of the above-mentioned nuclear issues. They express their willingness to resolve these issues through negotiations immediately in order to reach a mutual understanding.
9. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to maintain the status quo until a final agreement is reached. Iran will maintain the current status of its nuclear program. The United States, on the other hand, will not impose any new sanctions. It will also not deploy additional military forces in the region.
10. The United States is committed to providing a waiver to the US Treasury Department for the export of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, effective immediately upon the signing of this MOU. This waiver will remain in effect until the sanctions are lifted. It will also include banking transactions, insurance, transportation, and all related services.
11. Subject to the implementation of this MOU, the United States will fully release funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran that are frozen or subject to sanctions. The United States and Iran will mutually agree on the process for releasing these funds during negotiations on a final agreement. The Central Bank of Iran will ensure that these funds, whether returned to the original account or transferred to another account, can be released to any beneficiary. The United States has committed to providing all necessary licenses and approvals accordingly.
12. The United States and Iran have agreed to establish an executive mechanism to oversee the successful implementation of this MOU and compliance with future terms of the final agreement.
13. Upon the signing of this MOU, the United States and Iran shall commence and continue to implement Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this Memorandum of Understanding. The two parties shall also commence negotiations for a final agreement, which shall be based on the other Articles of this MOU.
14. The final agreement will be ratified by a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
