Iran’s foreign minister details proposed memorandum with US, says war would end across all fronts

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that a proposed memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US would formally end the conflict across all fronts, including Lebanon, while laying the groundwork for negotiations on sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear program, and regional security arrangements, Anadolu reports.

Speaking in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB, Araghchi said the document, commonly referred to as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, would mark the formal end of the war.

“The end of the war will be declared on all fronts, including Lebanon,” he said.

Araghchi said the proposed memorandum includes commitments not to initiate war, threaten the use of force or interfere in each other’s internal affairs.

He said the agreement would also include mutual commitments to respect sovereignty.

“For the first time in 47 years, the United States explicitly states that it respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Araghchi said.

Two-stage negotiation process

According to Araghchi, negotiations will proceed in two phases.

The first phase involves signing the memorandum of understanding, while the second phase would consist of negotiations on a final agreement.

He said issues related to sanctions relief, uranium enrichment, Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and a reconstruction fund for Iran would be addressed during the second stage.

Araghchi said the second round of negotiations is expected to last 60 days, although the period could be extended if both sides are satisfied with the progress achieved.

If negotiations fail to produce a final agreement, each side would be able to return to its previous position, he added.

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Strait of Hormuz, frozen assets

Araghchi said the future management of the Strait of Hormuz would change under Iran’s plans.

“The Strait of Hormuz is under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman,” he said, adding that Tehran and Muscat would soon issue a joint statement regarding the management of the strategic waterway.

He said Iran was consulting with partners, including China and Oman, on managing maritime traffic through the strait.

“Our sword will always remain over the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that Iran would not impose transit tolls but would charge service fees.

Araghchi also said the maritime blockade imposed on Iran must be fully lifted under the proposed memorandum.

He said all frozen Iranian assets would be released and could not be blocked again under the agreement.

Enriched uranium

Asked about the transfer of enriched uranium, Araghchi said Tehran’s position remains unchanged.

“Our position has always been that if high-level enriched uranium is to be dealt with, the only acceptable method is dilution inside Iran,” he said.

He added that Iran was seeking language in the negotiations that would reflect that approach.

Araghchi stressed that no final decisions have yet been made regarding uranium enrichment levels or Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.

Internal review and signing

The foreign minister said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has maintained full oversight of the negotiations and reviewed all provisions of the draft memorandum.

He said differences of opinion exist among officials regarding the text, but final decisions would be made collectively.

According to Araghchi, the memorandum is less than two pages long and has been negotiated word by word.

He said the agreement could be signed within days once the final stages of negotiations are completed.

“The signing will take place digitally and remotely,” he said.

Araghchi added that if commitments contained in the memorandum are not implemented by the other side, Iran would not proceed to the second phase of negotiations.

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