White House sends text of memorandum of understanding with Iran to Congress

The White House sent to Congress on Thursday the text of a temporary agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. The document, reviewed by Reuters, sets out in 14 clauses a high-level understanding that defers many of the most complex issues — such as how to end Iran's nuclear programme — until a final agreement is reached. The understanding paves the way for a broader 60-day negotiating period, which US Vice President JD Vance announced had begun on Thursday. Below is the full text of the document, titled "The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America":

1. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, together with their allies in the current war, upon signing the memorandum of understanding, declare an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and commit henceforth to refraining from any hostile act against each other and from threatening or using force, and to ensuring Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The final agreement will affirm the permanent end of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and the other provisions contained in this clause.

2. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refraining from interference in each other's internal affairs.

3. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and reaching a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.

4. Upon signing the memorandum of understanding, the United States shall lift the naval blockade imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, remove any obstacles or barriers against it, and fully end the blockade within 30 days. During this period, vessel traffic shall be proportionate to the volume of shipping traffic prior to the outbreak of the war that the Islamic Republic of Iran resumes. The United States also commits to withdrawing its forces from areas surrounding the Islamic Republic within 30 days of the date of the final agreement.

5. The Islamic Republic of Iran shall, upon signing the memorandum of understanding, make every effort to put in place arrangements that provide for the safe passage of commercial vessels without the payment of fees for a period of 60 days only, from the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and vice versa. The passage of commercial vessels shall begin immediately and, taking into account the need for Iran to remove technical and military obstacles and clear mines, shall be regularly resumed within 30 days. Tehran shall conduct a dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to determine the future management and maritime services of the Strait of Hormuz, in coordination with other Gulf states, in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of the two states bordering the strait.

6. The United States commits, in cooperation with its partners in the region, to preparing a mutually agreed final plan for reconstruction and economic growth in the Islamic Republic of Iran valued at no less than 300 billion dollars. The mechanism for implementing this plan will be finalised within 60 days and forms part of the final agreement. The United States will grant all necessary licences, exemptions, and permits for the relevant financial transactions.

7. The United States commits to lifting all sanctions against the Islamic Republic, in accordance with a timeline to be agreed upon within the final agreement, including United Nations Security Council resolutions and International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors resolutions, as well as all US sanctions imposed unilaterally by Washington, whether primary or secondary. The Islamic Republic and the United States acknowledge the paramount importance of the issue of ending the aforementioned sanctions, and express their intention to address these issues immediately in the negotiations with the aim of reaching a mutual agreement on them.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not seek to acquire or develop nuclear weapons. The United States and the Islamic Republic have agreed to resolve the question of the fate of stored enriched materials pursuant to a mutually agreed mechanism, in accordance with the timeline referred to in clause 7, with the least intrusive methodology being dilution in place under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision. The two parties have also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other agreed matters related to Tehran's nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework to be agreed upon in the final agreement. The final agreement will affirm the provisions of this clause. Washington and Tehran acknowledge the paramount importance of the nuclear issues mentioned above, and express their intention to address these issues immediately in the negotiations with the aim of reaching a mutual agreement on them.

9. Iran and the United States agree that they will maintain the status quo until a final agreement is reached, whereby Tehran will maintain the status quo with regard to its nuclear programme, while Washington will not impose new sanctions on the Islamic Republic or deploy additional forces in the region.

10. The United States commits to having the US Treasury Department, upon signing of the memorandum of understanding and until the date sanctions are lifted, issue exemptions for Iranian crude oil exports, petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transport, and others.

11. The United States commits to making fully available the use of Iran's frozen or restricted funds and assets. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will, upon implementation of the memorandum of understanding, agree on the procedures relating to the release of these funds during the negotiations. These funds, whether deposited in the main account or transferred, shall be fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of Iran. The United States also commits to issuing all necessary permits and licences accordingly.

12. Iran and the United States agree to establish an implementation mechanism to oversee the successful implementation of and future compliance with the final agreement.

13. After the signing of the memorandum of understanding, and upon receipt of assurances regarding the commencement of implementation of articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of the memorandum of understanding and the continuation of these steps, the United States and the Islamic Republic shall enter into negotiations to reach a final agreement with respect only to the remaining articles.

14. The final agreement shall be adopted by a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.