A senior US official has disclosed what the official described as the full text of a draft agreement between the United States and Iran.
The proposed agreement aims to end hostilities, reopen key maritime routes and launch a new round of nuclear negotiations.
The official read the text during a conference call with reporters. According to the official, the document outlines a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran.
The draft would serve as the foundation for a broader final agreement. Both sides would aim to complete that agreement within 60 days.
The proposal comes after months of military tensions that raised concerns about regional security, energy markets and Iran’s nuclear programme.
At its core, the draft calls for an immediate ceasefire. It also outlines steps on sanctions relief, economic cooperation and future nuclear talks.
Ceasefire, Hormuz Reopening and Economic Measures
Under the proposed agreement, the United States and Iran, along with their allies, would immediately stop military operations.
Both sides would also commit not to launch future military action against one another.
The draft places significant focus on the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway handles a large share of global oil shipments.
The United States would begin removing its naval blockade and related restrictions immediately after signing the MOU. It would complete the process within 30 days.
Meanwhile, Iran would facilitate the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters.
The agreement also calls for discussions with Oman and other Gulf states. Those talks would focus on future administration and maritime services in the strategic waterway.
The draft includes a major economic component as well.
The United States would work with regional partners on a reconstruction and development plan worth at least $300 billion for Iran.
In addition, the agreement outlines a pathway for lifting sanctions.
The proposed framework covers US primary and secondary sanctions. It also includes restrictions linked to the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Furthermore, Washington would issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and related services.
Nuclear Commitments and Final Agreement
Nuclear issues remain central to the proposed framework.
Iran reaffirms that it will not seek or develop nuclear weapons.
Both sides would negotiate the future handling of enriched nuclear material. The International Atomic Energy Agency would supervise the process.
Until a final agreement is reached, Iran would maintain the current status of its nuclear programme.
Likewise, the United States would avoid imposing new sanctions. It would also refrain from deploying additional forces in the region.
The draft further provides for the release of frozen Iranian assets.
In addition, both sides would establish a mechanism to monitor implementation and future compliance.
According to the text, negotiations on a final agreement would begin after key provisions enter into force.
These provisions include ceasefire measures, maritime access, sanctions waivers and asset releases.
Finally, the draft states that a binding United Nations Security Council resolution would endorse the final agreement if both sides reach a deal.
Full Text of the 14 Points
1. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war by signing this MOU declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain [from] the threat or use of force against each other and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph.
2. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
3. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent.
4. Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of prewar traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.
5. Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the [Arabian] Gulf to the Sea of Oman, and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other [Arabian] Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.
6. The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.
7. The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed-upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned, and express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled, enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in Paragraph 7, with the minimum methodology to be down-blending on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on the statutory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned, and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiation in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
9. Pending the final deal, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions, and will not deploy additional forces in the region.
10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU, and until the termination of sanctions, U.S. Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.
11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the implementation of this MOU. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiations. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.
12. The United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal.
13. After signing this MOU and subject to the beginning of the implementation of Paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of this MOU, and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.
14. The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.
