Amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East, U.S. news outlet CNN has published a 14-point draft of a possible historic understanding between Iran and the United States. The draft mentions a ceasefire, the normalization of shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the easing of sanctions on Iran and important commitments on Tehran’s nuclear program.
CNN said it had obtained a draft copy of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) from a U.S. official. A diplomat present at the G7 summit in France and two other diplomatic sources involved in the talks confirmed its authenticity, it said. A White House spokesperson, however, said the leaked document did not reflect the actual final understanding.
According to the report, U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf signed the agreement digitally last Sunday. A formal signing is scheduled for Friday in Switzerland. A 60-day deadline would then take effect to complete the final agreement.
Under the draft, the United States would allow Iran to export oil and petrochemical products. Iran could also gain access to a $300 billion development fund if it fulfills its commitments on its nuclear program. But the draft offers no specific explanation of the future of Iran’s highly enriched uranium.
The 14 points of the accord:
1. Upon signing the MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States and their allies in the current war will declare an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. Both sides will take no hostile action against each other and will refrain from the use or threat of force.
2. Iran and the United States will respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
3. Both countries will hold talks to reach a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days. This period may be extended by mutual consent.
4. Upon signing the MoU, the United States will lift the naval blockade and end any obstruction of or interference with Iran. Shipping will be restored to its pre-war state within a maximum of 30 days. The United States will also withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days of the final agreement.
5. Immediately after signing the MoU, Iran will take steps to normalize commercial shipping from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The removal of technical obstacles and the clearance of mines will be taken into account.
6. The United States and its regional partners will adopt a coordinated plan to finance at least $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development. Its implementation method will be finalized within 60 days.
7. The United States will lift all current sanctions on Iran according to a schedule set as part of the final agreement. This will include resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, as well as U.S. unilateral primary and secondary sanctions.
8. Iran has reaffirmed that it will never build nuclear weapons. Enriched uranium and other issues related to the nuclear program will be resolved in the final agreement.
9. Until a final agreement is reached, both sides will maintain the status quo. Iran will maintain the current state of its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions or increase its military presence in the region.
10. Immediately after signing the MoU and until sanctions are lifted, the U.S. Treasury Department will authorize exports of Iran’s crude oil, petrochemical products and related services. This will include the banking, insurance and transport sectors.
11. Based on progress in the talks, Iran’s suspended or restricted funds and assets will be released for use. These funds may be used for any final payment designated by Iran’s central bank. The United States will provide all necessary authorizations and licenses for this.
12. An implementation framework will be formed to oversee the successful implementation of the final agreement and future commitments.
13. After signing the MoU and receiving assurances that the implementation of points 4, 5, 10 and 11 has begun, both countries will start negotiations on the final agreement covering the remaining points.
14. The final agreement will be approved through a binding U.N. Security Council resolution.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report