US–Iran memorandum of understanding formally finalised after presidents sign text

TEHRAN (AA) — Iran confirmed early Thursday that a 14-point memorandum of understanding with the United States had been formally finalised after the presidents of both countries signed the text of the agreement.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the “Islamabad memorandum” had become fully official following signatures from both Tehran and Washington, according to remarks carried by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency.

He confirmed the document was signed digitally and that no signing ceremony would be held in Switzerland, despite earlier plans for the negotiating teams to convene in Geneva.

Baghaei said future negotiations under the memorandum would focus exclusively on nuclear issues and sanctions relief, with talks to last up to 60 days and the possibility of extension given the complexity of the issues involved. He noted that Tehran had deliberately avoided raising nuclear matters during the war-ending talks themselves.

With both presidents having now signed the document, Baghaei described it as more difficult to violate, while acknowledging that implementation would be challenging. He made clear that Iran would fulfil its obligations only if the other side met its commitments, and that Tehran would monitor compliance “without any leniency.”

On the question of Lebanon, Baghaei highlighted that the country is referenced three times in the memorandum’s opening provision, including commitments to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He warned that any continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon would constitute a violation of U.S. commitments under the agreement. “We do not separate the United States and the Israeli regime,” he said, adding that Washington bears responsibility for ensuring Israel abides by the terms of the memorandum regardless of any differences between the two allies.

Baghaei said the U.S. commitment to lift its naval blockade on Iran had effectively begun following urgent talks prompted by Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and Iranian threats of retaliation.

He said Iranian vessels had already been entering and leaving ports without difficulty, describing this as an early sign that American commitments were taking effect.

Iran expects oil sanctions relief to begin immediately and to be felt in practice, Baghaei said, including the ability to export crude, secure shipping and insurance services, and receive revenues from oil sales. He added that Tehran had conducted separate negotiations on frozen Iranian assets, broader sanctions relief, and post-war reconstruction alongside the memorandum itself, and that the US had committed to removing obstacles to the release and use of those funds.

Iran’s obligations regarding the Strait of Hormuz would come into effect following the signing and implementation of the memorandum, Baghaei said. He noted that Iran and Oman are the only two states bordering the strait and that arrangements for managing traffic through the waterway were being finalised in coordination with Muscat.

Safe passage would be guaranteed while preserving Iranian sovereignty, he added, and Tehran intends to charge fees for services provided there.

On two issues, Baghaei was unequivocal. Iran’s missile programme and defence capabilities would not be subject to negotiation with any party. “Iran’s missiles are for launching, not for negotiating,” he said.

He also ruled out transferring Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile abroad, calling such a move unacceptable, though he acknowledged that dilution of enriched uranium remained a possible topic for future discussion.

The 14-point draft, made public by U.S. officials earlier this week, calls for an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts including Lebanon, removal of the naval blockade within 30 days, and safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

It also encompasses a reconstruction and economic development plan for Iran valued at a minimum of $300 billion, oil export waivers, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and a reaffirmation by Tehran that it will not pursue nuclear weapons, with the future of its enriched uranium stockpile to be determined through negotiation.