WASHINGTON (Web Desk) – The United States has publicly released the official text of the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” reached with Iran over the weekend, outlining a framework aimed at ending hostilities, reopening vital shipping routes, easing economic restrictions and establishing a pathway toward a comprehensive long-term agreement.
A senior US administration official presented the 14-point memorandum on Wednesday, describing it as a foundational agreement that seeks to stabilize the region while creating conditions for broader diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.
The document was made public after criticism from lawmakers, analysts and media organizations regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement’s contents.
According to US officials, the memorandum is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday and will trigger a 60-day negotiating period during which both sides are expected to finalize the terms of a broader and more comprehensive agreement.
Strait of Hormuz and maritime security
One of the central provisions focuses on restoring normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes.
Under the memorandum, the United States commits to removing what the document describes as naval restrictions and obstacles affecting Iran and restoring maritime activity within 30 days. Iran, in turn, agrees to facilitate the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and undertake demining and other technical measures needed to restore shipping traffic to pre-war levels.
The agreement also calls for discussions involving Oman and other Gulf littoral states regarding the future administration and maritime services associated with the Strait of Hormuz.
Commitment to end military operations
The memorandum states that both countries and their respective allies agree to the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
The document further commits both parties to refrain from initiating future military action against one another and to avoid the threat or use of force.
In addition, both sides pledge to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and refrain from interference in internal affairs.
Economic reconstruction and sanctions relief
A major component of the memorandum centers on economic recovery and sanctions.
The United States undertakes to work with regional partners to develop a reconstruction and economic development package worth at least $300 billion for Iran. The implementation mechanism is expected to be finalized during negotiations on the final agreement.
The memorandum also outlines a commitment to negotiate the phased removal of sanctions imposed on Iran, including certain United Nations Security Council measures, resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors and unilateral US sanctions.
Pending a final settlement, Washington agrees not to impose additional sanctions and commits to issuing waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and associated services.
The agreement further provides for the release and use of frozen or restricted Iranian assets under mutually agreed procedures.
Nuclear programme provisions
The nuclear issue remains one of the most sensitive areas covered by the memorandum.
Iran reaffirms that it will not pursue or develop nuclear weapons. The two sides also agree to negotiate arrangements regarding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles and other nuclear-related matters.
According to the document, any handling of enriched material would occur through a mutually agreed mechanism and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The memorandum also indicates that broader discussions regarding uranium enrichment and Iran’s civilian nuclear requirements will be addressed during the final negotiations.
Monitoring and implementation
The agreement provides for the creation of an executive mechanism responsible for monitoring implementation of the memorandum and ensuring compliance with any future comprehensive agreement.
Formal negotiations on unresolved issues will begin after implementation starts on several key provisions, including maritime access, sanctions waivers and the release of Iranian funds.
The final agreement, according to the memorandum, would ultimately be endorsed through a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
Earlier leaked draft
Before the official release, CNN reported details of a draft version of the memorandum obtained from US and diplomatic sources.
According to CNN, diplomats familiar with the negotiations confirmed many of the draft’s provisions. However, the White House initially stated that leaked versions did not necessarily reflect the final text.
US officials have also characterized the memorandum as primarily a political framework rather than a complete settlement, noting that critical details regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and broader security commitments remain subject to further negotiations.
The draft reportedly reflected an agreement digitally approved by US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, though officials emphasized that the formal signing process is expected to take place later this week.
Below is the draft text in full. Read the 14-point text
1 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake that from now on they will not launch any hostile action against each other, and will refrain from the threat or use of force against each other. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article and the remaining Articles.
2 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
3 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
4 — Immediately upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States lift the naval blockade and prevent any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and restore traffic within a maximum of 30 days to its full capacity; the traffic of ships shall be proportional to the pre-war volume of traffic on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States also undertakes to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement.
5 — Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately take steps to ensure that the movement of merchant ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the pre-war volume, taking into account the need for the removal of technical obstacles and the neutralization of mines by Iran.
6 — The United States undertakes, together with its regional partners, to create a comprehensive plan agreed upon by both parties for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while ensuring financing of at least $300 billion. The implementation mechanism of this plan, as part of the final agreement, will be formulated within 60 days.
7 — The United States commits to ending, on a schedule to be agreed upon as part of the final agreement, all types of sanctions currently facing the Islamic Republic of Iran, including resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, both primary and secondary.
8 — The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have agreed that the fate of enriched material and the fate of all other mutually agreed nuclear-related issues, including Iran’s nuclear needs, will be adequately addressed in a final agreement; the final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article.
9 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that, pending a final agreement, they will maintain the status quo: Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the region.
10 — The United States undertakes that immediately after the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and until the date of the lifting of sanctions, the United States Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, and the like.
11 — The United States undertakes that, in light of the progress of negotiations towards a final agreement, frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be released and made fully available. These funds, whether held in the master account or transferred, will be used for any final beneficiary payment determined by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will be fully available for use. The United States undertakes to issue all necessary permits and licenses on this basis.
12 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that an implementation mechanism will be established to oversee the successful implementation of and future commitment to the Final Agreement.
13 — Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and upon receipt of assurances regarding the commencement of implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this Memorandum of Understanding, and the continued implementation of these steps, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will enter into negotiations for a Final Agreement solely with respect to the remaining Articles.
14 — The final agreement will be approved through a binding resolution of the UN Security Council.
