After months of negotiations, threats, bombings, cross attacks and a war that disrupted the global energy market, EThe United States and Iran have taken a historic step this Wednesday.
The memorandum of understanding that ends the conflict between both countries has already been signed digitally by the presidents of the United States and Iran and has come into force immediately, as confirmed by the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei.
The decision represents a last-minute change from initial plans. For weeks there had been speculation about an official ceremony in Switzerland, but Finally, the document has been signed electronically by the highest authorities of both countries.
“The text of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States is now officially finalized because both sides have signed it”Baghaei said in statements broadcast on Iranian state television.
A historic agreement… but provisional
The importance of the moment goes far beyond the conflict of recent months. This is the first formal agreement between Washington and Tehran since the United States abandoned the nuclear pact signed in 2015 during Barack Obama’s presidency.
The new memorandum, made up of 14 points and the result of mediation led by Pakistan, establishes the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including the Lebanese theater.
However, the document does not yet represent definitive peace. What both parties have signed is a roadmap that opens a 60-day period to negotiate a much broader and more complex agreement.
During that time, some of the issues that have been confronting both countries for decades must be resolved.
Oil is key again
One of the most relevant aspects of the text directly affects global energy trade. Iran is committed to guaranteeing free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic maritime routes on the planet and through which a fundamental part of the world’s oil transits.
For its part, The United States agrees to progressively lift the naval blockade tax on Iranian ports. According to the announced terms, Washington will have a period of 30 days to complete that process.
The normalization of energy flows has become a priority for both parties after the conflict caused significant tensions in international markets and triggered uncertainty about global crude oil supply.
The great unknowns
But the real challenge begins now. The final agreement will have to address much more delicate issues, including the future of the Iranian nuclear program and the economic sanctions regime that weighs on the Islamic Republic.
As Baghaei explained, The United States would commit to lifting all current sanctions, releasing Iranian assets frozen abroad and participating in a $300 billion reconstruction plan.
This is one of the most sensitive points of the entire negotiation and probably the one that will pose the most difficulties in the coming weeks.
That is why the Iranian spokesperson issued a significant warning when evaluating the agreement. “Implementing it will be more difficult than signing it,” he acknowledged. A phrase that perfectly sums up the current moment.
Because after months of war and an electronic signature that has already come into force, Washington and Tehran have managed to stop hostilities. What remains to be seen is whether they will be able to build lasting peace on relations marked by more than four decades of mutual distrust.
