US And Iran Sign Memorandum Of Understanding Ending Hostilities, Setting 60-Day Nuclear Talks

The United States and Iran plan to sign a memorandum of understanding that would, for the time being, end hostilities between the two countries, with the memorandum setting up a two-month sprint toward a longer-term deal over the fate of the Iranian nuclear program.

The CBS News report said the memorandum is a 14-point framework that extends the ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran war and sets the stage for talks on a permanent nuclear agreement, while leaving specifics on enriched uranium and the nuclear program to be sorted out over the next 60 days.

Alternet

CNN said the United States released the official text of the memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, and the document is due to be formally signed Friday, triggering a 60-day-window to negotiate the final terms of a deal.

In the text read out by a senior US administration official, the MOU declares the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” and commits both sides to “refrain from the threat or use of force against each other.”

CNN also quoted the senior US official describing the agreement as one that would “open the Strait of Hormuz immediately” and “commit the Iranians to destroying the nuclear dust.”

As the memorandum’s details emerged, Republican criticism focused on sanctions relief and reconstruction financing, with Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana calling it “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”

The Flag reported Cassidy wrote, “Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” and added that “13 Americans are dead, families have paid billions at the pump, sanctions will be lifted, and the bombing has stopped.”

BBC

MS NOW quoted Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., saying, “We’ve lost two F-18s, several other air frames, 13 people have died, several of our Middle East partners have been attacked, 365 people have been injured,” and arguing, “I need more than 14 [bullet] points.”

In contrast, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, told reporters after a discussion with special envoy Steve Witkoff that “signing the MOU will be beneficial to the United States, in as much as the Strait of Hormuz will begin to open, and the hostilities with Iran will stop.”

Washington Examiner also highlighted that Cassidy said the U.S. would work with “regional partners” to supply Iran with $300 billion in reconstruction after the war, while the deal says Iran “shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.”

The memorandum’s immediate operational focus includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with the CNN text saying Iran will make arrangements for “safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge, for 60 days only.”

“Iran–US Understanding: Has the War Really Ended”

BBC

CNN’s released text also states that the United States will remove its naval blockade and “fully end the naval blockade within 30 days,” while the traffic of vessels is to be restored in proportion to pre-war traffic numbers.

The Flag reported that the U.S. draft includes a “minimum” standard for the dilution of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, while also saying it does not preclude future fees.

In the Guardian’s live coverage, Iran said it would “not return to prewar conditions” and that Tehran will charge ships to transit the waterway after a 60-day toll-free period stipulated in the memorandum of understanding.

The stakes described in the U.S. framework extend to Lebanon as well, because the MOU text says it will ensure “the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon,” while the final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon.