“Signed”: After the two parties digitally signed the agreement, the US-Iran memorandum of understanding was officially finalized
US President Donald Trump and the President of Iran Massoud Pezeshkian The two countries effectively signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching negotiations on a broader deal covering lifting sanctions and Iran’s nuclear program.Trump signed the memorandum during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday, and Pezeshkian also signed the document. According to CNN, the agreement took effect immediately after being signed by both parties. The development marks an important step toward de-escalation after months of heightened tensions in the region and military confrontations between Iran, Israel and the United States.The memorandum, known as the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” sets out a framework for negotiations on a ceasefire, economic cooperation, sanctions relief and Tehran’s nuclear activities.Trump confirmed the development, telling reporters the deal was signed during his visit to Paris.“It was signed. Signed at Versailles, I just signed it,” Trump said.A senior U.S. administration official described the deal as a mechanism to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, address concerns surrounding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and create a path to economic engagement.“Fundamentally, this is a deal that allows us to immediately open the Strait of Hormuz, get the Iranians to commit to destroying their nuclear fallout, and then gives us an opportunity, if the Iranians behave well, to respond with economic and sanctions relief to make them a more prosperous country,” the official said.Iran also confirmed the agreement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that consultations between Oman and other countries have been going on for some time, and the navigation arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz have been basically finalized.Baghaei said that while maintaining Iran’s authority over strategic waterways, it will ensure safe sea lanes.“Both sides agreed to sign the Iran-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding digitally. The MoU is now official as both parties have signed it. ” he said.He added that the deal would ensure “the sovereignty and authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.”
What does the deal include?
The 14-point agreement stipulates that both parties immediately and permanently cease military operations and commits both parties to complete negotiations on a final agreement within 60 days. The deadline could be extended if both governments agree.The memorandum also includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes through which a large portion of global oil supplies pass.Under the arrangement, Iran will facilitate the safe passage of commercial ships through the strait free of charge for the first 60 days. In return, the United States will begin lifting restrictions related to its naval blockade and related measures.The deal further outlines a phased process for lifting sanctions, including Treasury Department exemptions for Iranian oil exports and the gradual release of frozen Iranian assets.One of the most important provisions is a proposed U.S.-backed reconstruction and economic development plan for Iran worth at least $300 billion.The memo also addressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. According to Press TV, Tehran reiterated that it will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons, and that discussions on the future of its enriched uranium stockpile will be conducted under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The broader framework also includes structured ceasefire arrangements involving Israel and Hezbollah and talks on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, Fox News reported earlier.
What is 14 o’clock?
According to text released by the White House, the 14 points of the agreement are:
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war, by signing this Memorandum of Understanding, declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and commit from now on not to initiate any war or any military action against each other, not to threaten or use force against each other, and to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final agreement will confirm the permanent end of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, as well as the other provisions of this paragraph.
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran are committed to respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiate and reach a final agreement within up to 60 days, which may be extended by mutual agreement.
- Immediately following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States of America will begin to lift the naval blockade and any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, vessel traffic will be proportional to the pre-war traffic restored to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further commits itself to withdrawing its troops from the vicinity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days of a final agreement.
- After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will do its best to arrange for free and safe passage of commercial ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of ​​Oman and vice versa. The passage of commercial vessels will begin immediately, taking into account the Islamic Republic of Iran’s need to remove technical and military obstacles, and demining will begin within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will engage in dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman and discussions with other Persian Gulf or littoral states to determine the future management and maritime services of the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of states littoral on the Strait of Hormuz.
- The United States of America is committed to working with regional partners to develop a clear, mutually agreed-upon plan of at least $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The implementation mechanism of the plan will be finalized within 60 days as part of the final agreement. All necessary licenses, exemptions and permissions required for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.
- The United States of America is committed to ending all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including United Nations Security Council resolutions, known as Council resolutions, and all unilateral United States sanctions, whether primary or secondary, in accordance with the agreed-upon timeline and as part of the final agreement. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America recognize the above-mentioned issues of ending sanctions as crucial and express their intention to resolve them immediately in negotiations in order to reach consensus on these issues.
- The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to address the disposal of stored enriched material through a mutually agreed mechanism in accordance with the timetable referred to in paragraph seven, at a minimum through on-site blending under Agency supervision. The parties also agreed to discuss enrichment issues and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs on the basis of a satisfactory framework agreed upon in the final agreement. The final transaction will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran recognize the critical importance of the above-mentioned nuclear issues and express their intention to resolve them immediately in negotiations in order to reach consensus on these issues.
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to maintain the status quo pending a final agreement. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions or deploy additional forces to the region.
- The United States of America commits that the U.S. Department of the Treasury will immediately issue exemptions for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives, as well as all related services (including banking transactions, insurance, transportation, etc.) upon the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding until the sanctions are terminated.
- The United States of America is committed to making full use of the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Following the execution of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will agree during negotiations on procedures for the release of these funds. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be fully available for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America is committed to issuing all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to establish an enforcement mechanism to oversee the successful implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding and future compliance with the resulting agreement.
- Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, subject to the commencement of implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of the Memorandum of Understanding and the continuation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin negotiations on a final agreement with respect to the other paragraphs only.
- The final agreement will be endorsed by a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
why this is important
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is seen as one of the most important aspects of the deal. This strategic waterway carries a large portion of the world’s oil shipments, and any disruption would have a direct impact on global energy markets.The memorandum is seen as an attempt to ease regional tensions, restore commercial shipping in the Gulf and open the way for a broader diplomatic settlement between Washington and Tehran.If successfully implemented, the memorandum could mark one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs between the United States and Iran in recent years, easing regional tensions while opening the door to sanctions relief, economic cooperation and reengagement on the nuclear issue.
