CNN, a U.S. media outlet, has revealed that it obtained a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, which sets various conditions aimed at achieving a final agreement, including a ceasefire and reopening the strait.
The U.S. news agency CNN reports having received a copy of a draft Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States. It includes conditions for a ceasefire between the two long-standing adversaries, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, partial easing of financial sanctions on Iran, and Tehran's reaffirmation of its firm intention not to produce nuclear weapons.
This 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has not been officially released, but CNN obtained a copy from a U.S. official. Additionally, diplomats who saw the document at the G7 summit in France this week, along with two other diplomatic sources familiar with the negotiations, have confirmed the contents of this document.
1 - The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, along with their allies in the current conflict, hereby declare an immediate and permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding. They pledge not to initiate hostile actions against each other from this point forward and to refrain from threats or use of force against one another. The final agreement will confirm this provision along with the remaining terms.
2 - The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States commit to respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refraining from interfering in each other's internal affairs.
3 - The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States pledge to negotiate and conclude a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
4 - Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States will lift its maritime blockade and prevent any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It will restore maritime navigation to full capacity within no more than 30 days, with shipping volumes proportionate to those before the war. Furthermore, the U.S. commits to withdrawing military forces from the surrounding area within 30 days after the final agreement is reached.
5 - Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately ensure that commercial shipping from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and back resumes within 30 days to levels matching those before the war, considering the need to remove technical obstacles and recover mines by Iran.
6 - The United States pledges to cooperate with regional allies to develop a comprehensive, mutually agreed plan for the restoration and development of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s economy, guaranteeing funding of at least $300 billion. The operational mechanism for this plan, as part of the final agreement, will be established within 60 days.
7 - The United States commits to ending all current sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran on a mutually agreed timeline within the final agreement. This includes United Nations Security Council resolutions, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board measures, and all unilateral primary and secondary U.S. sanctions.
8 - The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its absolute intent not to develop nuclear weapons. Iran and the United States mutually agree that handling of fissile material and all other nuclear-related issues, including Iran’s nuclear requirements, will be properly addressed in the final agreement, which will confirm this provision.
9 - Iran and the United States agree that while awaiting the final agreement, both parties will maintain the status quo: Iran will maintain its current nuclear program status, and the U.S. will not impose new sanctions on Iran or increase its military presence in the region.
10 – The United States promises that immediately after signing this Memorandum of Understanding, and until sanctions are lifted, the U.S. Treasury will issue exemptions for exports of crude oil, petrochemical products, and derivatives from Iran, including all related services such as banking, insurance, transportation, and other similar services.
11 - The United States commits that, based on progress toward the final agreement, frozen or restricted Iranian funds and assets will be released and fully accessible. These funds, whether held in principal accounts or transferred, will be used to pay any final beneficiaries as designated by Iran’s Central Bank and will be fully available. The U.S. also pledges to issue all necessary licenses and approvals accordingly.
12 - Iran and the United States agree to establish an operational mechanism to oversee compliance and future obligations under the final agreement.
13 - After signing this Memorandum of Understanding and receiving guarantees regarding implementation of sections 4, 5, 10, and 11, including ongoing compliance, Iran and the U.S. will negotiate the final agreement only on the remaining articles.
14 - The final agreement must be approved through a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
Since both the U.S. and Iran have withheld details of the wording in the agreement, it remains unclear whether the CNN-obtained draft accurately reflects the final text to be jointly signed this Friday in Switzerland.
Technical details are still being finalized, so wording may change. A White House spokesperson stated that the document does not reflect the true Memorandum of Understanding.
Several U.S. officials who spoke to CNN downplayed the importance of this Memorandum of Understanding, calling it merely a "political document" that does not reflect the "significant behind-the-scenes commitments" Iran has given to the U.S., especially regarding Tehran's nuclear program's future.
Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency, a semi-official Iranian outlet, said the leaked draft version is inaccurate. Bloomberg News previously published a version of the agreement draft.
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Source:cnn