Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, announced on Monday that significant conclusions have been reached on many topics in a potential 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. However, he clarified that this does not indicate an imminent deal.
The proposed framework seeks to end the war and lift the US naval blockade in exchange for Iran ensuring safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite progress, key issues remain unresolved, including Iran's nuclear ambitions, the conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, and Iran's demands for the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets.
Senior Iranian diplomat Hossein Nooshabadi stated that the framework deal could include a halt to the war on all fronts, the release of blocked Iranian assets, lifting the US naval blockade, and the withdrawal of US forces from the region. He noted that Iran's draft for an initial agreement does not include commitments regarding its nuclear program.
A senior official from the Trump administration indicated that Iran had agreed in principle to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the US naval blockade and the disposal of highly enriched uranium. However, specific details about the management of the Strait remain under discussion with Oman.
The memorandum of understanding will require approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and subsequently from the country’s supreme leader. If approved, the nuclear issue could be revisited during a 60-day negotiation period, as mentioned by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The negotiations also involve discussions about Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, which the US has demanded be limited, and the sanctions that have impacted Iran's economy, leading to widespread unrest. Iran seeks the lifting of these sanctions and the release of its oil revenues currently frozen in foreign banks.
