Al Arabiya, an Arab TV station, received a draft Iran-US understanding memorandum (MOU) document on June 16, showing that the framework agreement to be signed this Friday will include 14 core clauses, covering areas such as a ceasefire, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue, lifting sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and economic reconstruction.
Overview of the 14-clause Classification of the Draft Iran-U.S. Understanding Memorandum: Core Commitments
According to the draft document obtained by Al Arabiya, the 14 clauses are categorized by theme as follows:
Ceasefire and Sovereignty (Clauses 1 to 3): The draft calls for both sides to immediately stop all hostile actions (including the Lebanese front) right after the signing of the MOU, mutually respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from interfering in internal affairs, and complete final agreement negotiations within a maximum of 60 days (extendable).
Maritime Passage and Military Deployments (Clauses 4 to 5): The United States commits to immediately lift the maritime blockade after the signing of the MOU, restore shipping to a fully normal level within 30 days, and withdraw military forces in the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement is signed. Iran commits to ensure that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz (from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman) resumes, restore it to pre-war levels within 30 days, and clear relevant naval mines.
Economic Reconstruction and Sanctions Lifting (Clauses 6 to 7): The United States commits to work with regional partners to develop an Iranian economic reconstruction plan, with a financing scale of at least $300 billion, and to develop the corresponding implementation mechanisms within 60 days and incorporate them into the final agreement. The United States also commits, according to a timetable agreed by both sides, to lift all sanctions on Iran, including UN Security Council resolutions, restrictions from the IAEA Board, and first- and second-tier sanctions implemented by the United States.
Nuclear Program (Clauses 8 to 9): Iran confirms it will not produce nuclear weapons, and that its stockpile of enriched uranium and nuclear energy needs will be addressed in the final agreement. Until the final agreement is reached, both sides maintain the status quo: Iran keeps the existing scale of its nuclear program, and the United States does not impose new sanctions or increase military deployments.
Energy Exports and Frozen Assets (Clauses 10 to 11): From the signing of the MOU until sanctions are formally lifted, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will provide exemption licenses for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products, and derivatives, allowing related supporting services such as banking, insurance, and transportation to proceed normally. The United States commits to progressively release and unfreeze Iran’s frozen overseas funds and assets as negotiations advance, ensuring the Iranian central bank can freely access them.
Oversight and Procedural Clauses (Clauses 12 to 14): Both sides agree to establish a dedicated implementation and oversight mechanism; after Clauses 4, 5, 10, and 11 begin implementation, final agreement negotiations for the remaining clauses will be initiated; the final agreement will be confirmed and approved through a UN Security Council resolution with binding effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MOU draft obtained by Al Arabiya equate to a signed official agreement?
No. According to a report by FX168 Finance, Al Arabiya received a draft MOU document (Draft), and the report says the agreement is expected to be formally signed this Friday. The draft document reflects negotiation progress, but the正式 legal effect depends on the parties’ official signatures.
What are the specific arrangements for the $300 billion economic plan in the agreement?
Under Clause 6 of the draft, the United States commits to jointly develop an Iranian economic reconstruction and development plan with regional partners, with a financing scale of at least $300 billion; the relevant implementation mechanisms are to be completed within 60 days and incorporated into the final agreement. The draft does not specify the concrete sources of financing or the distribution method.
What are Iran’s commitments on the nuclear issue and the specific arrangements regarding the current situation?
Under Clause 8 of the draft, Iran again confirms it will not produce nuclear weapons and agrees that issues such as its enriched uranium stockpile and nuclear energy needs will be resolved in the final agreement. Clause 9 further confirms that before the signing of the final agreement, Iran maintains the existing scale of its nuclear program unchanged, and the United States does not add new sanctions or regional military deployments.
