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The Iranian foreign minister said the memorandum covers a wide range of issues beyond a ceasefire.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (File photo)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that a proposed agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at ending months of conflict is close to completion and could be finalized within days.
“The agreement, Islamabad MoU, is close, maybe one or two days or the next few days, but it will be closed and when it is finalised and signed, it will be made public and we will talk more about it,” Araghchi said. His remarks offer the clearest indication yet that negotiators may be nearing a breakthrough in talks that have sought to end hostilities between the two countries and address a range of issues, including maritime restrictions in the Gulf, sanctions relief and future negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
‘War Will Come To An End On All Fronts’
Araghchi said the proposed memorandum of understanding, which has become known as the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” would formally declare an end to the conflict across multiple fronts.
“Therefore, the war will come to an end on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” he said.
According to Araghchi, the agreement would include commitments from both sides not to initiate new conflicts, threaten one another or use force. He also emphasised provisions dealing with mutual respect for sovereignty, describing them as a significant milestone in US-Iran relations.
“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,” he said.
Under the proposed framework, both countries would pledge not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
“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,” Araghchi said.
Strait Of Hormuz, Sanctions And Reconstruction Included
The Iranian foreign minister said the memorandum covers a wide range of issues beyond a ceasefire. Among the topics included are the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of maritime restrictions, mechanisms for accessing Iran’s blocked funds, sanctions relief and plans for economic reconstruction and development.
“There is also the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, with its details; the removal of maritime restrictions; the next round of negotiations and the subjects it will include; Iran’s nuclear issue; sanctions relief; reconstruction in the framework of an economic reconstruction and development plan,” Araghchi said.
He added that specific mechanisms for implementing some of those provisions would be negotiated in subsequent talks.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, has been heavily disrupted during the conflict, raising concerns about global oil supplies and maritime security.
Nuclear Talks Deferred To Second Phase
Araghchi said the proposed memorandum represents only the first stage of a broader diplomatic process and that more difficult negotiations still lie ahead. According to him, Iran and the United States agreed to postpone discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program until a second phase of negotiations.
“What I should mention is that these negotiations, which will lead to the end of the war, proceed in two stages,” he said.
Under the plan outlined by Araghchi, the memorandum of understanding would first establish a framework for ending the conflict and addressing areas where agreement was possible.
A second round of negotiations, scheduled to last 60 days, would then focus on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and other unresolved issues.
“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 and some of the proposals being put forward were entirely unacceptable,” he said.
No Deal Signed Yet
Despite outlining key elements of the proposed framework, Araghchi stressed that negotiations remain ongoing and that no final agreement has been signed.
“No agreement has been signed yet; if one is signed, I will explain each and every provision,” he said.
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