U.S.-Iran MoU draft outlines ceasefire, Hormuz reopening, and 60-day nuclear talks, but key details remain disputed
A preliminary memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, would halt hostilities including in Lebanon, reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, and unlock frozen Iranian assets, while postponing final nuclear arrangements to 60 days of negotiations.
Ceasefire and immediate terms
A draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran would impose an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. The text commits Washington to non-interference in Iranian internal affairs and to withdrawing U.S. forces from areas surrounding Iran. A 60-day ceasefire would take effect upon signing, providing a window for subsequent negotiations on the nuclear file and sanctions removal.
Hormuz reopening and sanctions relief
Under the draft, the U.S. would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports within 30 days, and Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian management, restoring commercial oil flows within the same timeframe. American sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical sales would be suspended, and frozen Iranian assets abroad, reported at $24 billion, would be unlocked, with half available before final negotiations begin. The United States and its allies would also present reconstruction plans for Iran worth at least $300 billion.
Nuclear program: a central dispute
The nuclear question remains the most contested element. Iranian agency Mehr and others report that no final nuclear accord has been reached; instead, the MoU would launch 60 days of dedicated talks. A senior U.S. official claimed Iran agreed to dismantle its nuclear program and destroy enriched uranium stockpiles, while CBS reported a 15-20 year enrichment freeze and dismantlement of key sites. Yet an Iranian spokesperson stressed the text was still under review, and the White House itself backtracked, with President Trump calling Tehran’s version “fake news.”
We ended the war with Iran. They agreed never to acquire nuclear weapons.
The terms circulated by Tehran are fake news. They better get back in line.
Israel’s role and regional reactions
Israel remains outside the agreement. The MoU reportedly excludes Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for allied armed groups, a key Israeli demand. Al-Akhbar, a newspaper close to Hezbollah, said Israel would commit to halting attacks on Lebanon and withdrawing from southern territory, but Israeli officials have sought to keep the Lebanese front separate to retain operational freedom. The omission of missile and proxy constraints has already drawn criticism from Jerusalem.
The path forward
Once signed — possibly as early as Sunday in Geneva, though Iranian Fars news calls that “mere speculation” — the MoU would trigger a sequenced process: immediate ceasefire, 30-day maritime and sanctions steps, and 60 days of nuclear negotiations. A monitoring mechanism would oversee implementation. Yet fundamental gaps between the American and Iranian narratives, particularly on the nuclear program and the timing of sanctions relief, cast doubt on whether the provisional accord can hold.
The text must still be reviewed and finalized by the competent authorities in Iran.
