Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has revealed a series of details about a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington, while stressing that the agreement has not yet been finalized and that speculation about its contents should be avoided.
This comes after Araghchi wrote on X that the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” has “never been closer” to completion. He added that the full text would be made public once negotiations conclude and a final agreement is reached.
Key Revelations From Araghchi
Speaking to Iran’s PressTV, the Iranian foreign minister said the proposed MoU includes:
- A US commitment not to start a war against Iran and not to use threats.
- Mutual pledges by Washington and Tehran to respect each other’s sovereignty and avoid interference in internal affairs.
- An announcement ending the conflict “on all fronts,” including Lebanon.
- Provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz.
- The lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran.
- A mechanism addressing Iran’s frozen funds.
- Future economic reconstruction and development plans will be negotiated in later stages.
- Multiple revisions to the text during negotiations.
Nuclear Issue and Sanctions Delayed
Araghchi said no final decision has been made on Iran’s nuclear program or the lifting of sanctions.
According to him, both issues have been postponed until a final agreement is negotiated. He said the current talks are taking place in two stages and reiterated that US nuclear demands were not acceptable to Tehran at this stage.
“The issue of enrichment and stocks of enriched materials will be determined in the final agreement,” Araghchi said.
He added that Iran’s longstanding position is that any dilution of enriched uranium should take place inside Iran.
The foreign minister also said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has “full control” over the negotiations. While supporters and opponents of the proposed text exist within the council, he said a collective decision would ultimately determine whether the agreement moves forward.
Strait of Hormuz at the Center of Negotiations
Araghchi described the Strait of Hormuz as one of Iran’s “most important deterrent tools.”
He said the strategic waterway would not return to the way it operated before the war, adding that the strait falls under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman.
According to Araghchi, while passage through the strait had been free for years, services would no longer remain free, and charges would apply in the future.
He also warned that if commitments outlined in the MoU are not implemented, negotiations toward a final agreement would not proceed.
“The nature of the other side is breach of commitment; they create a thousand and one problems in implementation, and we have this experience,” he said.
Regional Issues and Lebanon
Araghchi said the MoU is intended to declare an end to the war across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.
“We will never leave Lebanon alone,” he said, while also reiterating that Israel must withdraw from southern Lebanon.
The foreign minister further claimed that the agreement has opponents and accused Israel of seeking to obstruct the process.
According to Araghchi, Iran and the United States will only move toward a final agreement once both sides are satisfied with the terms and implementation mechanisms contained in the current framework.