Saudi Arabia-based Al Arabiya television has published the terms of a 14-point memorandum of understanding said to have been drafted between the U.S. and Iran. While the text contains more detailed provisions compared to the version reported by Iran’s Mehr News Agency, the key points that came to the fore included ending the war, lifting the naval blockade, ending sanctions against Iran, releasing frozen assets, and the future of the nuclear program.
According to the published text, Iran and the U.S., together with their allies involved in the current war, will declare an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. In addition, the parties will commit to refraining from new hostile actions against one another and to not resorting to threats or the use of force. The final agreement is expected to reaffirm this article and the other provisions of the memorandum.
The second clause of the agreement specifies that Iran and the United States will respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will not interfere in each other’s internal affairs. However, in the version published by Iranian media, this clause was presented in a more limited manner, with particular emphasis placed on the United States’ commitment not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs.
One of the notable points in the text published by Al Arabiya was the parties’ commitment to reach a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days. This period may be extended by mutual agreement. It was reported that this provision was not included in the version published in the Iranian media.
The U.S. will lift the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran will guarantee free passage through the strait
Under the agreement, it is stated that the U.S. will immediately lift the naval blockade against Iran as of the signing date and ensure that Iran’s full maritime transport capacity is restored within a maximum of 30 days. It was also noted that the U.S. commits to withdrawing its troops from the region within 30 days of reaching a final agreement.
In return, Iran will immediately take steps to restore commercial maritime shipping between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman to pre-war levels. The text states that the goal is to complete this process within 30 days, but that Iran’s need to remove technical obstacles and neutralize mines will also be taken into account.
On economic terms, the text stated that the U.S., together with its regional partners, would prepare a comprehensive plan for Iran’s revival and development. It was reported that this plan would guarantee at least $300 billion in financial support for Iran, and that the implementation mechanism would be finalized within 60 days under the framework of the final agreement.
Based on the text of the agreement, the U.S. will commit to lifting all types of sanctions imposed on Iran within the timeline to be determined in the final agreement. In this context, it is anticipated that United Nations Security Council resolutions, International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors decisions, and all primary and secondary sanctions unilaterally imposed by the U.S. will be lifted.
Iran has agreed never to develop nuclear weapons
On the nuclear front, it was reported that Iran reiterated its commitment never to develop nuclear weapons. The parties agreed to resolve all nuclear issues subject to mutual agreement—including the fate of enriched uranium and Iran’s nuclear needs—through the final agreement.
The parties were also reported to have agreed to maintain the status quo until a final agreement is reached. Accordingly, Iran will continue its nuclear program as is, while the U.S. will not impose new sanctions on Iran and will not increase its military presence in the region.
Regarding energy exports, after the agreement is signed, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will grant exemptions for Iran’s exports of crude oil, petrochemical products, and their derivatives. These exemptions will cover banking, insurance, transportation, and all related services.
The text also included a provision on the release of Iran’s frozen or restricted funds and assets. It was stated that the U.S. would issue all necessary authorizations to ensure these assets can be fully utilized in the final beneficiary accounts designated by the Central Bank of Iran. However, a version reported in the Iranian media claimed that $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds would be released during the 60-day final negotiation period, and that half of this amount would be provided to Iran before negotiations even began.
It was also reported that the parties would establish a separate monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation of the agreement. This mechanism is intended to ensure the successful implementation of the final agreement and the fulfillment of future commitments.
According to the text published by Al Arabiya, Iran and the U.S. will negotiate the remaining terms of the final agreement after receiving assurances regarding the implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of the agreement. However, a version published in the Iranian media claimed that final negotiations would only begin after half of Iran’s frozen funds were released, sanctions on Iranian oil were suspended, and the naval blockade was lifted.
In addition, the version reported by Iranian media stated that the final agreement would cover only the future of enriched uranium materials, the uranium enrichment process, the lifting of sanctions, and Iran’s economic reconstruction plan; it was noted that Iran’s missile program and its support for resistance groups were explicitly excluded from the agenda.
The final clause of the agreement stated that the final deal would be ratified by the United Nations Security Council through a legally binding resolution.
