The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding overnight (Wednesday to Thursday) to end the war. The agreement was signed “digitally,” allowing the memorandum to enter into force immediately.
The provisions of the memorandum include clauses relating to a future final agreement alongside commitments to immediate actions. The memorandum begins with Articles 1 and 2, which address a commitment to an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and respect for the sovereignty of the parties. Articles 4 and 5 provide for the immediate lifting of the naval blockade and the restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz by both Iran and the United States. Article 10 guarantees the immediate removal of sanctions on Iranian oil exports and related products. Article 11 includes a commitment to release frozen Iranian assets for unrestricted use from the moment the memorandum is signed.
The remaining articles outline a framework for a final agreement.
Articles 8 and 9 include Iran’s commitment that it will not acquire or develop nuclear weapons in the future, and that as part of a final deal it will dilute its existing nuclear material. Until a permanent agreement is completed, Iran will maintain the status quo.
Article 6 provides for the establishment of a $300 billion fund for Iran’s economic reconstruction. Article 7 includes a pledge to lift all sanctions on Iran according to a timetable to be set in the final agreement.
Articles 3, 12, and 14 define the negotiation framework—approximately 60 days, with the possibility of extension by mutual consent.
Memorandum Articles (as presented):
- 1. Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the war, declare the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the immediate and permanent end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and commit that from now on they will not take any hostile action against each other and will refrain from the threat or use of force.
- 2. The parties commit to respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refraining from interference in internal affairs.
- 3. They further commit to negotiating and reaching a final agreement within a period not exceeding 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
- 4. Immediately upon signing, the United States will lift the naval blockade on Iran and restore maritime traffic within 30 days at most; shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will return to pre-war levels. The United States also commits to withdrawing its forces from surrounding areas within 30 days of the final agreement.
- 5. Iran, upon signing, will immediately resume commercial shipping between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, restoring pre-war volumes within 30 days, including technical removal of obstacles and mine clearance carried out by Iran.
- 6. The United States, together with its regional partners, will develop a comprehensive economic recovery and development plan for Iran, including the establishment of a fund of at least $300 billion. Implementation mechanisms will be drafted within 60 days as part of the final agreement.
- 7. The United States commits to lifting, according to a timetable to be set in the final agreement, all sanctions currently imposed on Iran, including UN Security Council resolutions and IAEA-related measures, as well as all U.S. sanctions.
- 8. Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. Both sides agree to regulate enriched uranium through a mutually agreed mechanism based on dilution under IAEA supervision. They also agree to discuss enrichment and other nuclear-related issues within a framework to be agreed in the final deal.
- 9. Until a final agreement is reached, Iran will maintain the status quo in its nuclear program, and the United States agrees not to impose new sanctions or increase its regional military presence.
- 10. The United States also commits that, following the memorandum’s signing and pending sanctions relief, the Treasury will refrain from enforcing sanctions on Iranian oil exports and petrochemical products.
- 11. Frozen Iranian assets will be released and made freely available, with all necessary licenses issued.
- 12. Both sides agree to establish an implementation mechanism to monitor compliance with the final agreement.
- 13. Following the signing, and after receiving assurances regarding implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11, Iran and the United States will negotiate a final agreement focusing only on the remaining provisions.
- 14. The final agreement will be ratified through a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
The agreement will not be published until it is formally signed on Friday, according to Donald Trump.
Immediate measures
Ceasefire (including Lebanon)
A comprehensive ceasefire, including the Lebanese front.
Israel has clarified that it will not withdraw forces from border areas in Lebanon and will maintain its right to self-defence.
Opening of the Strait of Hormuz
Both sides will work to restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within 30 days.
The United States will lift its naval blockade immediately, while Iran will remove technical obstacles and clear mines.
Sanctions relief on oil exports
Immediate easing of sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
The United States will issue immediate waivers for Iranian oil, petrochemical products, and related services.
Frozen funds
Release of frozen Iranian assets abroad, conditioned on progress in negotiations, with no clearly defined restrictions on their use.
Final agreement (within 60 days)
Most substantive issues, especially those related to the nuclear program, are deferred to a final agreement to be signed within 60 days (extendable by mutual consent).
Donald Trump stressed that the memorandum is not final, and warned that if Iran does not comply with its commitments, bombing operations could resume.
$300 billion reconstruction fund
The United States, together with regional partners, will establish a reconstruction fund for Iran amounting to at least $300 billion.
Trump said the U.S. itself will not contribute, but will not prevent other countries from investing.
Full sanctions removal
Under the final agreement, the United States will lift all types of sanctions on Iran, including international and unilateral measures.
Iran: no nuclear weapons
Iran commits not to develop nuclear weapons.
The fate of enriched uranium stockpiles and other nuclear issues will be determined in the final agreement. The deal does not explicitly prohibit enrichment but maintains the current status quo.
Final approval
The final agreement will be submitted for approval by the UN Security Council, and Trump also stated it will be brought before the U.S. Congress.
