The United States has released the official text of the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran over the weekend.
The document, published by CNN, is titled: “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding Between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The full text of the memorandum is as follows:
The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed in good faith to the following:
1. Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire
The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, together with their allies involved in the current war, shall sign this memorandum of understanding to declare the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
The parties undertake not to wage war or carry out any military operation against one another in the future, to refrain from threatening or using force against each other, and to guarantee Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The final agreement will confirm the permanent end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, together with the other provisions contained in this paragraph.
2. Mutual Respect for Sovereignty
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. Final Agreement Within Sixty Days
The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and concluding a final agreement within a maximum of sixty days, which may be extended by mutual consent.
4. Lifting of Naval Restrictions
Immediately upon signing this memorandum of understanding, the United States will begin lifting its naval blockade and any obstacles or restrictions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The naval blockade will be fully lifted within thirty days. During this period, maritime traffic will be proportionate to the volume of shipping activity maintained by Iran before the war.
The United States also undertakes to withdraw its forces from the vicinity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within thirty days of the final agreement.
5. Maritime Passage and Strait of Hormuz Arrangements
Immediately after signing this memorandum, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make every effort to provide free and safe passage for commercial vessels for a period of sixty days only, between the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in both directions.
Commercial shipping will resume immediately. In view of the need to remove technical and military obstacles, Iran will begin mine clearance operations within thirty days.
The Islamic Republic of Iran will also hold discussions with Oman regarding future maritime administration and services in the Strait of Hormuz, in co-ordination with the other Gulf states, in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of the states bordering the Strait of Hormuz.
6. Reconstruction and Economic Development
The United States, in co-operation with its regional partners, undertakes to establish a final agreed plan worth no less than US$300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The implementation mechanism for this plan will be finalised as part of the final agreement within sixty days.
The United States will grant all licences, waivers and authorisations required for the related financial transactions.
7. Lifting of Sanctions
The United States commits to ending all forms of sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, including:
- United Nations Security Council resolutions
- Resolutions of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency
- All unilateral United States sanctions, whether primary or secondary
This process will follow a mutually agreed timetable as part of the final agreement.
The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of ending these sanctions and express their intention to address these issues immediately during negotiations in order to reach a mutual agreement.
8. Nuclear Programme
The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will neither seek nor develop nuclear weapons.
The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the status of enriched material stockpiles through a mechanism to be agreed upon by both parties.
In accordance with the timetable referred to in Paragraph 7, the agreed approach will involve reducing enrichment levels through down-blending at the same facilities and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The two sides also agreed to discuss enrichment and other agreed issues related to Iran’s nuclear requirements, based on a mutually satisfactory framework to be established within the final agreement.
The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this paragraph.
The Islamic Republic of Iran recognises the critical importance of these nuclear matters, and both parties express their intention to address them immediately during negotiations with the aim of reaching a joint agreement.
9. Maintaining the Status Quo
Until the final agreement is concluded, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo.
Iran will preserve the current state of its nuclear programme, while the United States will refrain from imposing any new sanctions or deploying additional forces to the region.
10. Oil Exports and Financial Exemptions
The United States undertakes that, immediately upon signing this memorandum and until sanctions are lifted, the US Treasury Department will issue waivers permitting the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and their derivatives.
The exemptions will also cover all related services, including banking transactions, insurance, transportation and other associated activities.
11. Release of Frozen Assets
The United States undertakes to make all frozen or restricted funds and assets belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran fully accessible upon implementation of this memorandum.
During negotiations, the United States and Iran will agree on the procedures governing the release of these funds.
The funds will be fully available, whether through the original accounts or via transfer, to settle payments to any final beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The United States also commits to issuing all necessary licences and authorisations accordingly.
12. Implementation Mechanism
The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to establish an implementation mechanism to monitor the successful execution of this memorandum and ensure future compliance with the provisions of the final agreement.
13. Scope of Final Negotiations
Following the signing of this memorandum, and subject to the commencement and continued implementation of Paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin negotiations on the final agreement, limited exclusively to the remaining provisions.
14. United Nations Security Council Approval
The final agreement will be adopted through a binding resolution issued by the United Nations Security Council.
