The United States has officially released the full text of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached with Iran over the weekend, following the signing of a peace deal between President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The document, titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” was made public after criticism that its contents had not been disclosed.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
Under the terms of the 14-point MOU, both parties agree to an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, for an initial 60-day period. They also commit to respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refraining from interfering in each other's internal affairs.
Nuclear Commitments
Iran reaffirms that it will never develop a nuclear weapon, a promise it has made previously. The agreement stipulates that Iran’s existing stockpile of enriched material will be addressed through a mutually agreed mechanism, with the minimum methodology being down-blending on site under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors. The two sides will also discuss enrichment and other nuclear-related matters as part of the final deal.
Economic and Sanctions Relief
The United States commits to working with regional partners to develop a plan worth at least $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development, provided Iran meets its commitments in the final agreement. Additionally, the U.S. will terminate all types of sanctions against Iran—including UN Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. sanctions—according to an agreed-upon schedule. The U.S. Treasury will also issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil and related services immediately upon signing.
Naval Blockade and Maritime Passage
The U.S. will begin removing its naval blockade immediately, with full removal within 30 days. Iran, in turn, will arrange safe passage for commercial vessels from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman for 60 days, free of charge, and will engage in dialogue with Oman regarding the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz.
Implementation and Monitoring
An executive mechanism will be established to monitor implementation of the MOU and compliance with the final deal. Negotiations for the final agreement will begin after the initial measures are implemented, and the final deal will be endorsed by a binding UN Security Council resolution.
The full 14-point MOU is as follows:
- Ceasefire: Immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, with commitment not to initiate war or military operations against each other.
- Sovereignty: Respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs.
- Negotiation Timeline: Final deal to be achieved within 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
- Naval Blockade: U.S. to begin removal immediately, fully end within 30 days; U.S. forces to withdraw from proximity of Iran within 30 days after final deal.
- Maritime Passage: Iran to arrange safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days, free of charge; traffic to start within 30 days; dialogue with Oman on Strait of Hormuz administration.
- Reconstruction Fund: U.S. to develop a $300 billion plan for Iran's reconstruction and economic development, with mechanism finalized within 60 days.
- Sanctions Termination: All sanctions to be terminated according to an agreed schedule in the final deal.
- Nuclear Program: Iran reaffirms no nuclear weapons; enriched material to be down-blended on site under IAEA supervision; enrichment and other nuclear needs to be discussed.
- Status Quo: Pending final deal, Iran maintains nuclear status quo; U.S. imposes no new sanctions and deploys no additional forces.
- Oil Waivers: U.S. Treasury to issue waivers for Iranian crude oil exports and associated services immediately upon signing.
- Frozen Assets: U.S. to make fully available Iran's frozen funds, with procedures mutually agreed during negotiations.
- Executive Mechanism: A monitoring mechanism to ensure implementation and future compliance.
- Negotiations Start: After implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11, negotiations on the final deal will begin.
- UN Endorsement: Final deal to be endorsed by a binding UN Security Council resolution.
The agreement marks a significant step toward ending hostilities and addressing long-standing disputes between the two nations.
