US Officials Warn Iran Deal Remains Flexible as Critical Talks Set for Friday
Both Iran and the United States are poised to sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, but officials indicate that either party can withdraw from the agreement. Upcoming discussions are expected to center on the specific sequencing of steps outlined in the preliminary accord, as stated by a senior US official on Wednesday.
Key Details of the Memorandum
The senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided insight into the 14-point memorandum that is scheduled for formal signing in Switzerland. The official emphasized the importance of the forthcoming meeting, describing it as “critical” for transitioning the memorandum into a comprehensive agreement.
The official noted, “I think the meeting in Switzerland will be quite critical in order to really see how we get to the next phase.” The memorandum closely resembles the 14-point outline that has been reported by various media outlets earlier in the day.
Provisions of the Agreement
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End of Hostilities: The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, along with their allies, will declare an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon. Both parties commit to refraining from hostile actions and threats against each other.
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Respect for Sovereignty: Both nations will respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, pledging not to interfere in each other’s internal matters.
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Negotiation Timeline: Iran and the United States agree to negotiate a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days, with the possibility of extension by mutual consent.
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Naval Blockade: The United States will lift the naval blockade immediately upon signing the memorandum, restoring traffic to pre-war levels within 30 days. The US will also withdraw its forces from surrounding areas within 30 days following the final agreement.
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Merchant Shipping: Iran will take steps to ensure the resumption of merchant ship movements between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman within 30 days, addressing any technical obstacles and neutralizing mines.
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Economic Development Plan: The United States, in collaboration with regional partners, will develop a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation and economic development of Iran, ensuring a minimum financing of $300 billion. The implementation mechanism will be defined within 60 days.
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Sanctions Relief: The US commits to ending all types of sanctions against Iran on a schedule to be agreed upon in the final agreement, including those from the UN Security Council and unilateral US sanctions.
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Nuclear Commitments: Iran reiterates its commitment not to produce nuclear weapons. The final agreement will address the fate of enriched material and other nuclear-related issues.
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Status Quo Maintenance: Pending a final agreement, both nations will maintain the current status of Iran’s nuclear program, with no new US sanctions imposed or military reinforcements in the region.
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Export Waivers: The US Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products immediately after signing the memorandum, until sanctions are lifted.
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Release of Funds: The US will release frozen or restricted Iranian funds as negotiations progress, ensuring these funds are available for use as determined by Iran’s Central Bank.
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Implementation Mechanism: An oversight mechanism will be established to ensure the successful implementation of the final agreement.
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Future Negotiations: Following the signing of the memorandum and assurances regarding implementation, both nations will negotiate a final agreement concerning the remaining articles.
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UN Security Council Approval: The final agreement will require approval through a binding resolution of the UN Security Council.
As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-06-17 21:59:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk