Initial talks between the United States and Iran are still expected to take place in the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock on Friday, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said, after the countries signed a copy of the agreement.
“To date, the plan remains for the US and Iran, together with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other countries involved, to meet tomorrow in Bürgenstock for initial negotiations on the implementation of the agreement,” the ministry said in a statement released this Thursday (18), according to the Reuters news agency.
“No additional information is available at this time regarding the schedule and details of this meeting.”
The ministry informed the CNN on Wednesday (17) the signing ceremony will take place at the resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, and .
Around 2,000 soldiers will secure the site, and a no-fly zone over the Bürgenstock mountain will be imposed from June 18 to 20 to ensure security, the Swiss government said.
The United States released on Wednesday the official text of the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran over the weekend.
A senior US government official presented the document’s 14 points, which detail measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease certain financial restrictions on Iran and establish expectations for addressing Iran’s nuclear program in future technical negotiations.
Entitled “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran”the document was released after criticism for the fact that its contents had not been made public.
The memorandum is expected to be formally signed on Friday (19), beginning a 60-day period for negotiating the final terms of an agreement.
Read the 14 points of the agreement between the US and Iran in full
The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have jointly agreed, in good faith, to [__ data]with the following terms:
1 — The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as their allies in the current war, sign this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to declare the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake, from now on, not to initiate any war or military operation against each other, as well as to refrain from threats or the use of force between them, guaranteeing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final agreement will confirm the permanent end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, in addition to other provisions set out in this paragraph.
2 — The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to mutually respect their sovereignty and territorial integrity and not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
3 — The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to negotiate and conclude a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
4 — Immediately upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States will begin the withdrawal of its naval blockade and any disruptions or impediments imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, committing to completely end the naval blockade within 30 days.
During this period, vessel traffic will be gradually restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran in proportion to pre-war levels. The United States also commits to withdrawing its forces from the vicinity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days of signing the final agreement.
5 — Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take all possible measures to ensure, for a period of 60 days, safe and duty-free passage for commercial vessels transiting between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, in both directions.
Commercial traffic will resume immediately and considering the need to remove technical and military obstacles as well as carry out demining operations, these measures will be implemented by the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days. Iran will also conduct dialogues with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in consultation with the other coastal states of the Persian Gulf, in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of the littoral countries of the Strait of Hormuz.
6 — The United States of America, together with regional partners, commits to developing a definitive, mutually agreed plan, worth at least $300 billion, for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The implementation mechanism for this plan will be finalized as part of a definitive agreement within 60 days. All licenses, exemptions and authorizations necessary for the respective financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.
