Strait of Hormuz reopened, naval blockade lifted, sanctions eased: What’s in the draft US-Iran peace deal | Today’s news
The moment the world has been waiting for is finally here. US President Donald Trump announced on June 14 that the peace deal with Iran is now complete.
On Monday, Iranian media released details of a 14-point draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington that sets out a proposed framework for ending the war and moving toward a final deal.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency said the finalization of the text of the memorandum of understanding to end the war would bring an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and end the US naval blockade against Iran.
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Among other things, the draft peace agreement includes a permanent ceasefire, the lifting of the US naval blockade, a commitment to refrain from interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and the suspension of sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is crucial because it is a key shipping route for global oil supplies and its access will restore normal shipping traffic, contributing to stability in global energy markets.
The negotiation period to finalize the US-Iran peace deal is set for 60 days, during which key issues such as nuclear terms and sanctions relief will be discussed.
During the negotiation period, the agreement provides for the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, with a portion to be made available to Iran before negotiations begin.
According to President Trump’s statement, if a final nuclear deal is not reached, the US may resume military action or take a more aggressive stance as the “guardian of the Middle East”.
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The development came hours after Trump announced the completion of the deal in a Truth Social post. He wrote: “The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and at the same time I hereby authorize the immediate lifting of the United States naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow.”
What does the draft MOU contain?
While these points have yet to be officially confirmed by either party, here is what the draft memorandum is said to contain:
1. Permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon. Mehr’s report noted: “According to the agreements reached, the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, are immediately and permanently ended.”
2. It also includes the commitment of the US not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic and to respect the sovereignty of the country.
3. The draft memorandum of understanding also reportedly states that Washington must withdraw its forces from around Tehran and refrain from deploying additional troops to the region or imposing new sanctions during the negotiation period.
4. It also provides for the complete lifting of the US naval blockade against Tehran within 30 days. The US President imposed a naval blockade on April 13 in retaliation for Tehran’s decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, and this was announced days after the ceasefire was announced.
5. The draft memorandum of understanding also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under Iranian arrangements. Mehr said the MoU also includes a monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation of the agreement.
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6. In addition, the US will also suspend sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil, petrochemical products and derivatives while allowing Tehran full access to financial proceeds.
7. It also seeks the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the 60-day negotiation period, with roughly half of that amount to be made available to Tehran before final talks begin.
8. A final agreement would include the complete lifting of primary and secondary sanctions along with the termination of relevant UN Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions.
9. The draft memorandum of understanding also set a 60-day period for negotiations to reach a full agreement on nuclear issues and sanctions relief. Iran would reiterate its commitment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) not to develop nuclear weapons.
10. The proposal would also require the US and its allies to submit at least $300 billion in reconstruction plans for Tehran.
The MoU also included some terms related to the final agreement, which are as follows:
1. Final negotiations will focus only on enriched material and enrichment activities, sanctions relief, and reconstruction of the Iranian economy.
2. The final agreement would be approved by a UN Security Council resolution.
3. Final negotiations will also not begin until half of the Islamic Republic’s frozen assets are released, sanctions on Iranian oil are suspended, and the naval blockade is lifted.
4. Mehr also announced that Iran’s missile program and support for resistance groups were “definitively” excluded from the agenda for the final negotiations.
Tehran introduced the changes at the last minute
Separately, Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing a source familiar with the talks, said negotiators had made last-minute revisions to the draft agreement, including clauses related to the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
The source also said that assurances regarding Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were added during the final phase of negotiations. According to the report, these assurances influenced Iran’s decision not to proceed with planned retaliation following Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
