As talks between the United States and Iran move closer to a possible deal, Iranian officials have outlined a series of conditions they say must be met before any final agreement can take effect. Washington is focused on Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran has pushed for measures to address sanctions, maritime access and regional security issues.Iran has outlined a series of conditions for ending its war with the United States, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) is closer than ever to completion.The proposed framework, known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding or the Islamabad Agreement, would reportedly serve as an interim arrangement aimed at ending hostilities and setting the stage for broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.The agreement aims to extend the ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and establish a framework for future negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.Although the President of the United States Donald Trump Despite repeated claims that a deal is imminent, Iranian officials stressed that no final decision had been made and that the text was still under review by Tehran’s leadership.
Iran’s first demand: lift US blockade
Iran has repeatedly said the most important element of the proposed deal is the lifting of a naval blockade imposed by the United States during the war.Araghchi said in an interview with Iranian state television that the first article of the proposed memorandum focuses on ending restrictions on Iranian shipping and trade.He emphasized that the first point mentioned in the memorandum of understanding is to lift the US naval blockade against Iran.The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will be tied to the lifting of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and shipping, according to details discussed by U.S. and Iranian officials.
Iran wants different arrangements for Strait of Hormuz
The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive issues in negotiations.The waterways through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally pass have been effectively destroyed since the conflict began. Iran introduced a toll system during the war, while the United States insisted on keeping access free.
Araghchi said Tehran had no plans to return to the previous arrangement, CBS News reported.“As for the Strait of Hormuz, its management will no longer be the same as before,” he said.In a separate interview, he made clear that Iran wants commercial ships to continue paying for services provided by Tehran.“There are costs involved, and those costs have to be paid,” Aragochi said.Reuters also reported that Araghchi emphasized that Iran will continue to retain control of strategic waterway traffic together with Oman.“Our sword will always hang over the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
Iran wants Lebanon to join deal
Another major Iranian demand is that the deal should not only cover Iran but also include an end to hostilities involving Lebanese Hezbollah, the BBC reported.Araghchi said the draft memorandum consists of 14 articles, and the first phase focuses on ending conflicts involving Iran and Lebanon.In an interview with Iranian state television, he rejected suggestions that Hezbollah might be excluded from any final arrangement.“We will not forget the Lebanese Hezbollah in any agreement. Iran will never let go of Hezbollah,” Araghchi said.Iran reportedly insisted throughout the negotiations that any ceasefire arrangement should apply to “all fronts, including Lebanon.”
Nuclear talks will be held later
Iran has also pushed for a ceasefire agreement to be separated from negotiations over its nuclear program.Araghchi said the focus of the current memorandum is on ending hostilities and creating conditions for future negotiations, rather than on an immediate resolution of the nuclear dispute.He said discussions on Iran’s nuclear program would be postponed to a second phase that would last 60 days after the initial deal is signed.
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“All details of the nuclear program will be postponed to a round of negotiations that will follow the signing of a memorandum of understanding or letter of intent,” Araghchi said, according to state media.He also suggested that the 60-day period could be extended if necessary.Regarding Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Araghchi said Tehran would prefer a different solution than what Washington has proposed.“For Tehran, the only preferred solution for its stockpile of highly enriched uranium is to blend the material,” he said.
Iran says no final decision has been made yet
Despite reports that the text has been largely agreed upon, Iranian officials continue to warn that it has not yet been approved.Araghchi acknowledged that there are different views on the proposed provisions within Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.“There are supporters and opponents of this latest provision of the agreement,” he said.He added that a collective decision had not yet been reached.“For now, we have to wait. If approved, the agreement will be signed remotely.”In a separate post on“The media should not speculate on its content until it is finalized,” he wrote.He added that all details will be made public once the process is completed.“In line with Iran’s responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course.”
what America wants
Iran’s focus is on sanctions relief, shipping access and Lebanon, while Washington’s priorities are centered on nuclear limits and regional security.U.S. officials said the proposed deal would require Iran to:
- Reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately.
- Stop funding proxy groups in the region, including Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups.
- Commitment never to acquire nuclear weapons.
- Addressing concerns surrounding its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
- Accept future verification measures and compliance mechanisms.
The deal will begin with 60 days of negotiations that will focus on Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, according to U.S. officials.U.S. officials have said the ultimate goal is to destroy or eliminate Iran’s highly enriched uranium and impose broader restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear activities.The United States has also made clear that any lifting of sanctions will be tied to Iran’s compliance.A senior U.S. government official said the agreement was based on performance, not trust.“Iran will only gain economic benefits if it can be verified that it has implemented the measures it committed to.”U.S. officials also rejected suggestions that Tehran would receive large sums of money immediately upon signing, saying lifting sanctions and accessing frozen assets would occur gradually.
Now considering digital signature
While earlier discussions focused on holding an in-person signing ceremony in Europe, Iran now says it is considering a remote signing, CBS reported.In an interview with Iranian state media, Araghchi said the memorandum could be signed digitally before a public announcement.“Once both parties sign this memorandum of understanding, it will be announced and that’s it.”He expressed optimism that a deal could be finalized soon.“Once the final stages of our negotiations are completed, the agreement will be signed and announced.”“That could happen in the next few days. I’m very hopeful.”Pakistan, which plays a leading role in the mediation effort, said Washington and Tehran had agreed on the wording of the text and were discussing implementation.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Said the negotiations were close to success.Araghchi agrees with this assessment.“The memorandum of understanding has never been closer” to completion, he said.However, both sides acknowledged that the proposed Islamabad Agreement still needs final approval before it can officially enter into force.
