Memorandum outlines ceasefire, curbs on nuclear activities, talks for final deal

Ahead of a widely publicized official signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, both sides indicated they would reveal more about the agreed-upon conditions, which include ending the war on "all fronts".

The MoU also includes provisions limiting Iran's nuclear activities, but this aspect will gradually be addressed in a final agreement.

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, that he "will probably have a press conference and read the text word-by-word", so that the media "covers it accurately", even calling it "a very important document".

However, Trump threatened on Wednesday that the US would strike Iran again if Tehran fails to comply with the MoU.

READ MORE: Tehran: Iranian, US presidents sign peace MoU digitally

"If they don't behave, we'll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head," he said at the G7 summit alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Apart from permanently ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, the US and Iran pledge not to launch any hostile action against each other and to refrain from the threat or use of force, reported the Saudi Arabian-owned Al Arabiya English news site, which claims to have obtained a copy of the MoU.

The two countries also undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent, the site added.

The US will also undertake to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final deal.

Upon signing the MoU, Iran will immediately take steps to ensure that the movement of merchant ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the prewar volume, taking into account the need to remove technical obstacles and neutralize mines by Iran.

Another condition that the US undertakes, together with its regional partners, is to create a comprehensive plan agreed upon by both parties for the rehabilitation and economic development of Iran, while ensuring financing of at least $300 billion.

On Wednesday, leaders at the G7 summit threw their support behind the US' tentative deal with Iran.

In a declaration issued overnight, the leaders said that they were "ready to contribute to its implementation", though neither the White House nor Iran has released the text of the agreement.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Tuesday that any Israeli attack on Lebanon, or the continued occupation of the territories of the Arab country, would constitute a violation of the MoU.

Movement of ships

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told reporters on Tuesday that the first sign of the implementation of the MoU was the movement of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz despite the US blockade, with several vessels easily passing through.

The first clause of the 14-point MoU on not attacking Lebanon means that the US recognizes Lebanon as one of the most important parts in the chain of the Resistance Front, he said.

The signing of the MoU is scheduled to take place on Friday during a ceremony at a resort in Switzerland, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

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In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri emphasized that the US, along with guarantor parties to the MoU and the international community, must assume responsibility for ensuring that Israel ends its war on Lebanon.

Berri and Ghalibaf also called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied Lebanese territories, saying the soldiers' continued presence represents a violation of sovereignty and must be addressed as part of any agreement implementation process.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video on X that "with an agreement, without an agreement — as long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons".

Contact the writers at jan@chinadailyapac.com