Al Arabiya English TV announced that it has obtained a draft memorandum of understanding that the United States and Iran are expected to sign on Friday. The document contains 14 points and foresees an immediate end to the war, the continuation of negotiations on a final agreement and a series of political, security and economic measures that both sides should implement.
Under the draft, Iran and the United States, along with their allies involved in the current war, would declare an immediate and permanent end to the conflict on all battlefields, including Lebanon. They would also undertake not to initiate hostile activities against each other or threaten the use of force.
The document envisages mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the obligation for the parties not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
Negotiations on the final agreement are expected to be completed within a maximum of 60 days, with the possibility of an extension if both parties agree.
One of the key points concerns the lifting of the US naval blockade. According to the draft, immediately after signing the memorandum, Washington should lift the blockade, prevent any interference with Iran, and within 30 days restore maritime traffic to the level that existed before the war. At the same time, the US would undertake to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the conclusion of the final agreement.
On the other hand, immediately after signing the agreement, Iran would begin activities to restore the navigation of merchant ships between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The document states that within 30 days traffic should return to pre-war levels, with the removal of technical obstacles and the neutralization of mines carried out by Iran.
The draft agreement foresees the development of a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran. The United States, along with regional partners, should provide at least $300 billion in funding, while implementation details would be defined within 60 days as part of the final agreement.
The document also states that the US would, according to the timetable agreed upon in the final negotiations, lift all sanctions currently facing Iran. These include sanctions related to United Nations Security Council resolutions, decisions of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as US primary and secondary sanctions.
When it comes to the nuclear program, Iran would repeat the position that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The fate of enriched material, Iran’s nuclear needs and other issues related to the nuclear program would be subject to a final agreement.
Until a final agreement is reached, both sides would maintain the status quo. Iran would not change the current state of its nuclear program, while the US would not introduce new sanctions or further strengthen its military presence in the region.
It is also planned that the US Department of Finance immediately after the signing of the memorandum will start issuing exemptions for the export of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, including related banking, transport and insurance services.
The document also provides for the release of frozen or restricted Iranian funds and assets. The United States would undertake to issue the necessary permits and licenses to make these funds fully available for use as determined by the Central Bank of Iran.
The two sides would also establish a special mechanism to monitor the implementation of the final agreement and compliance with the commitments undertaken.
According to the draft, after Iran receives assurances to begin implementing provisions related to the lifting of the blockade, the restoration of navigation, exemptions for oil exports and the release of funds, the two countries would begin negotiations on the remaining issues of the final agreement.
The last point of the document envisages that the final agreement will be confirmed by a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
