Iran Demands Persian Version Be Legally Binding in U.S. Deal
Iran is reportedly insisting on an unusual final condition before signing its agreement with the United States, namely that the Persian-language version of the document be recognized as the legally binding text. According to Iranian sources cited Thursday by Iran International, this demand comes from close to Iran’s negotiating team and is meant to give the Persian wording official standing in the memorandum of understanding.
The report says the demand is highly unusual in international negotiations, where one or two languages, usually English or French, are treated as the authoritative versions to avoid contradictions. By elevating Persian to that status, Tehran would gain more room to shape legal terms, argue its interpretation in future court or international forum disputes, and claim a domestic propaganda win by showing that major powers accepted a Persian document on its terms.
The article says the move could also help Iran present its own version of events in any later dispute, and it may be seen as a symbolic slight to President Donald Trump. It is portrayed as part of Tehran’s broader strategy in the final stage of talks, where even symbolic demands are being used for leverage.
Meanwhile, the United States and Iran signed the memorandum overnight, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei. Although a formal ceremony in Switzerland had been expected, the signing apparently took place digitally. The 14-point memorandum, released by the White House earlier Thursday, calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and for negotiations on a permanent agreement within 60 days, which would begin only after part of Iran’s frozen assets are released. It also includes U.S. commitments to lift sanctions and provide broad economic relief, alongside an Iranian statement that it will not develop nuclear weapons. The document further reportedly contains, despite U.S. denials, a reconstruction plan worth at least $300 billion for Iran.
