Iran and the United States reached an agreement to end almost four months of war and prepare for in-depth negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program or the lifting of economic sanctions against the country.
So far, few details have been officially released, but the Iranian press has published what it claims are the central aspects of the 14-point agreement.
Last Friday, before the announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that details would only be revealed after the agreement was signed.
Frozen assets
After the announcement of the agreement, the Iranian news agency Mehr republished what it presented as points of the draft project, but highlighted that it was not the definitive text.
According to the agency, the commitment provides for a “permanent and immediate ceasefire to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.”
It also foresees the release of 24 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets within 60 days, a period in which the next phase of negotiations should begin.
Half of the amount should be released before talks begin, Mehr added.
The draft released by the agency also includes the suspension of sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, as well as the end of the naval blockade imposed by the United States.
“Final negotiations will not begin before the release of half of the frozen funds, the lifting of oil sanctions against Iran and the end of the naval blockade,” Mehr said.
Strait of Hormuz
When announcing the agreement, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, celebrated on social media “the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz”.
The version published by the Iranian press is different. According to the Mehr agency, Tehran will reopen the strategic passage for fuel trade “within 30 days, in accordance with Iranian adjustments”.
This Monday, the Fars news agency reported that, in the final stages of the negotiation, a clause was included that will allow Tehran to impose payment for “maritime services” in Hormuz.
“The use of the term ‘maritime services’ means that the United States has accepted the payment of tolls to Iran,” explained the agency, citing a source who follows the negotiations closely.
On Friday, Araghchi acknowledged that charging tolls on the route would not be acceptable under international law. But he cited the charging of fees for services, always in cooperation with Oman, the country on the other side of the strait that gives access to the Gulf.
“Iran has made a firm decision that the administration of the Strait of Hormuz will no longer be as it was before,” said the minister, who added that the crossing will continue to be an “instrument of deterrence” for Tehran.
More trades in 60 days
The agreement is a prelude to new negotiations to resolve the main points of friction between the two countries, such as the Iranian nuclear program or international sanctions against the country.
“Negotiations will begin within 60 days with the aim of reaching a final agreement,” said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
Other topics that will be addressed in this phase will be the “reconstruction and economic development” of Iran, as well as the implementation of a mechanism to supervise the agreements reached, he added.
Araghchi assured on Friday that the only way to manage enriched uranium in his country “is to dilute it inside Iran.”
The New York Times published an interview with Trump on Monday in which he said the countries were negotiating a 20-year moratorium on Iran’s enrichment program.
He also insisted that Iran’s uranium enrichment levels could never be used for military purposes and that it “can never exceed a certain amount.”
What’s missing?
It is unclear whether the talks will address Iran’s missile program or its support for armed groups in the region, such as the Palestinian Hamas or Lebanese Hezbollah, two central concerns for Israel.
The Mehr agency stated that “Iran’s missile program and support for resistance groups have been definitively removed from the agenda.”
