US-Iran Memorandum Would Freeze Fighting, Force Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanon

A leaked memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran sets out a broad ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, and says both sides will refrain from military activity against each other while also safeguarding Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The article says that if this leads to a final agreement, Israel would likely have to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

The agreement also addresses the Strait of Hormuz. According to the text, the United States would lift the naval blockade within 30 days, while traffic in the strait would return to prewar levels. Iran, for its part, would work to ensure safe passage for ships, clear mines, and begin talks with Oman and other Gulf states about a new regime for Hormuz rather than restoring the previous status quo.

On the nuclear issue, Washington would commit to removing all sanctions on Iran under an agreed timetable if Tehran makes the nuclear concessions it seeks. Iran would pledge not to buy or develop nuclear weapons. The sides would also try to reach an arrangement on removing accumulated enriched material and, on the same timetable, on uranium enrichment itself. Iran would keep the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States would not impose new sanctions while talks continue.

The most significant concession for Tehran, the article says, is an immediate US Treasury waiver allowing unlimited exports of Iranian crude oil and oil products for as long as negotiations continue. That could bring Iran billions, and Washington would also consider granting access to frozen funds abroad during implementation. A negotiating team meeting is set for Friday, after which a 60-day countdown to a final nuclear deal begins, though President Donald Trump said at the G7 in France that the deadline is not fixed and he does not mind extending it.