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Araghchi said the proposed memorandum of understanding is only the first stage of a broader diplomatic process.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered the most detailed look yet at a proposed agreement between Iran and the United States that he says could be finalized within days. Speaking about what has become known as the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” Araghchi said the framework agreement would end the current conflict, pave the way for future negotiations and address issues ranging from maritime security to sanctions relief.
While emphasising that no final deal has yet been signed, the Iranian foreign minister outlined several key provisions that he said would form the basis of the agreement. Here are five of the biggest takeaways from his remarks:
1. Interim Deal Is Just First Step
Araghchi said the proposed memorandum of understanding is only the first stage of a broader diplomatic process and warned that future negotiations would depend on its successful implementation. According to him, Iran and the United States have agreed to postpone discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program until a second phase of talks.
“What I should mention is that these negotiations, which will lead to the end of the war, proceed in two stages,” Araghchi said. He explained that issues where agreement was possible were included in the first-stage memorandum, while the more difficult nuclear negotiations were deferred to a later phase expected to last 60 days.
“We postponed the nuclear issue to the final agreement stage for various reasons, among them that, under the present circumstances, meaningful discussion of it was not possible,” he said.
His remarks suggest that if the initial agreement is not implemented successfully, negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program may never begin.
2. Hormuz Will Not Return To Pre-War Status Quo
One of the clearest messages from Araghchi was that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will not simply revert to how it operated before the conflict. The waterway, through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments pass, has been at the center of tensions throughout the war.
“There is also the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, with its details; the removal of maritime restrictions,” Araghchi said while outlining the contents of the memorandum. His comments indicate that a new framework governing maritime traffic and security in the strait is expected to emerge as part of the broader agreement.
3. Iran Says Sovereignty Over Hormuz Must Be Respected
Araghchi repeatedly stressed the importance of sovereignty throughout the negotiations, describing it as one of the most significant elements of the proposed agreement. He said, “I believe this is the first time that, after forty-seven years, the United States has explicitly expressed respect for the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and mentions this and puts it in writing.”
According to Araghchi, mutual respect for sovereignty forms one of the foundations of the proposed deal. He said, “It commits itself not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs, and asks us to commit ourselves not to interfere in its internal affairs. This is entirely on the basis of equality.”
4. Iran Will Guarantee Safe Passage Through Hormuz
Araghchi signaled that Tehran is prepared to play a direct role in ensuring maritime security following any agreement. Iran has indicated that it would secure safe passage for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz as part of arrangements linked to ending the conflict and lifting maritime restrictions.
5. Frozen Iranian Funds Could Be Released
Another major component of the proposed agreement involves Iran’s blocked overseas assets. Araghchi said negotiators had already outlined a mechanism to address the issue.
“There is also the issue of Iran’s blocked funds, for which a mechanism has been specified,” he said. The release of frozen funds has long been a key demand for Tehran and is expected to form part of broader discussions on sanctions relief and economic reconstruction.
Araghchi said reconstruction and development measures would also be included in subsequent negotiations.
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Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
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