End of the war in Lebanon, lifting of sanctions, frozen assets and nuclear program are among the topics covered
After several rounds of revisions, a memorandum of understanding with the United States has “effectively entered its final phase” based on Iran’s 14-point proposal, according to Iranian state agency IRNA.
Here is what Iranian media outlets, including IRNA and the semi-official Mehr agency, are saying about the draft interim agreement:
- The document provides for the end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. The United States would commit to “compel Israel” to end hostilities in Beirut if the agreement is signed.
- Dossier nuclear: Iran will not immediately assume any new commitments and will only participate in negotiations on the nuclear program during the 60-day negotiating period envisaged after the signing of the memorandum, “within the framework of its fundamental principles”, including the right to uranium enrichment.
- Strait of Hormuz: Iranian media emphasize that Tehran will not commit to ceding management of the strait or “reestablishing conditions” that existed before the war. The memo only addresses “the normalization of maritime traffic” in that waterway and the end of the US blockade of Iranian ports. The United States would have no role in managing the strait, which would continue to be coordinated at a regional level by the neighboring countries.
- Iranian assets frozen: The deal would require the unlocking of $24 billion of frozen Iranian funds, half of which would have to be made available immediately after signing. IRNA states that the draft document states that Iran has obtained “specific guarantees from third parties” regarding payment of the remaining amount.
- Sanctions: Tehran’s demand for the lifting of all sanctions imposed on it would be analyzed within 60 days. During that period, the United States would also commit not to reinforce its military presence in the region or impose new sanctions on Iran.
- War reparations: The Mehr agency states that the document includes a reconstruction plan for Iran worth at least 300 billion dollars. IRNA states that the concrete implementation mechanism would be negotiated over the next 60 days.
- Ballistic missile program and allied groups: according to Mehr, there was a “definitive removal” of these topics from the negotiations.
However, the Tasnim agency, close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, states that the text “still requires analysis and finalization by the competent institutions in Iran”.
