Reported U.S.-Iran understanding would end fighting in Lebanon and freeze the nuclear file

Al Arabiya English reported Tuesday evening that it had obtained a 14-point memorandum of understanding expected to be signed on Friday between the United States and Iran. The document lays out a broad framework for ending the current war, including in Lebanon, and for keeping the nuclear dispute in a temporary status quo until a final deal is reached.

Under the reported terms, both sides and their allies would declare an immediate and permanent end to hostilities on all fronts and would refrain from threatening or using force against each other. They would also commit to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and not interfere in internal affairs. The two countries would then try to reach a final agreement within 60 days, with that period extendable by mutual consent.

The memo says the U.S. would lift the naval blockade, stop obstructing Iran’s movement, and restore traffic within 30 days to prewar levels, proportional to Iran’s prewar shipping volume. It also says Washington would withdraw its forces from nearby areas within 30 days after the final agreement. Iran, for its part, would move immediately to restore commercial shipping between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman within 30 days, while addressing technical obstacles and mine-clearing needs.

The reported deal also includes a U.S.-backed regional reconstruction program worth at least $300 billion, a timetable to end all sanctions, including U.N., IAEA Board of Governors and U.S. unilateral sanctions, and the release of frozen Iranian funds and assets. Iran would again state that it will never produce nuclear weapons, while both sides would keep the nuclear status quo and avoid new sanctions or force buildup until a final accord is signed. A monitoring mechanism would oversee implementation, and talks on the remaining issues would begin only after initial steps on sections 4, 5, 10 and 11 are underway.