Newly revealed details of the secret US-Iran memorandum of understanding lay out that it would extend the cease-fire to Lebanon, allow Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz, temporarily waive Iranian oil sanctions and establish a pathway toward a comprehensive peace agreement, Israel’s Channel 12 reported Tuesday.
It makes no concrete promises regarding Iran’s nuclear program outside of a pledge never to produce or obtain a nuclear weapon and the willingness to have further discussions about other details in a 60-day negotiation period that will begin after the document’s signing ceremony Friday.
The framework, which would serve as the basis for broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran, outlines commitments on nuclear issues, sanctions relief, maritime security and the eventual withdrawal of American forces from the region.
The following 12 points were first revealed by Axios reporter Barak Ravid, who also works for the Israeli channel. The document has previously been described as a 14-point agreement.
- Iran, the US and their allies would stop fighting across the region — including in Lebanon.
- Tehran would reaffirm its pledge never to build a nuclear weapon.
- The US and Iran would work out what happens to Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
- Both sides would open talks on Iran’s future enrichment activities and nuclear needs.
- Iran would maintain the “status quo” of its nuclear program — which has been largely decimated — while negotiations continue.
- The US would lift its naval blockade, hold off on new sanctions and refrain from sending more troops to the region.
- Iran would guarantee safe, toll-free passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days.
- Washington would release an unspecified amount of frozen Iranian assets once the MOU takes effect.
- A final deal reached after the 60 days would see the US withdraw its forces within 30 days and lift all sanctions on Iran.
- It would pave the way for a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran.
- The US would allow Iran to resume oil sales through temporary sanctions waivers.
- Iran, Oman and Gulf states would negotiate new shipping and maritime security arrangements for the Gulf.
Oman and Iran have already begun discussions on the last point, and are aiming to charge a fee for “services” provided, a senior regional source told The Post.
The White House did not verify the details of the deal. President Trump said the details would be released after a signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland.
Under the proposed agreement, Iran, the United States and their respective allies would stop all hostilities in the region — explicitly including in Lebanon, where US ally Israel and Iranian proxy Hezbollah are warring.
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The memorandum also includes a renewed Iranian commitment not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons — a signature feature of the 2015 Iran deal signed by President Barack Obama but rescinded by Trump in 2018.
Other points also focus on Tehran’s nuclear program — but make no changes to Iran’s position, only establishing that the US and Iran will have general discussions about it.
“US and Iran to discuss enrichment issue and Iran’s nuclear needs,” the text said, according to Channel 12.
Rather, the “status quo” will be maintained during the 60-day negotiations — meaning Iran can technically state it has not given up its program, which was set back years after the US destroyed key nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer.
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The purported text also does not state that Iran will degrade or destroy its buried enriched uranium stockpiles, instead noting that the “US and Iran pledge to resolve” the issue.
The agreement would also provide Tehran with significant economic relief.
The United States will lift its naval blockade of Iran, refrain from imposing new sanctions and commit not to increase its military presence in the region during the negotiation period — removing its forces only when and if a final deal is reached at the end of the 60 days.
Washington would also grant Iran temporary sanctions waivers allowing it to sell oil while talks are underway.
In addition, the United States would make frozen Iranian assets available for use “upon implementation of the memorandum,” according to the report.
One of the most consequential provisions concerns the Strait of Hormuz, allowing Iran to manage the critical oil chokepoint during the 60-day negotiation period.
The memorandum gives Iran responsibility for ensuring the safe and free passage of commercial vessels through the strategic waterway for the 60 days, with no transit charges imposed during that time.
However, it also states that negotiations will be held between Iran and Oman, with the participation of Gulf nations, to define “arrangements regarding shipping and maritime services” — for which multiple regional sources told The Post that Tehran could push for payment.
Once a final deal is inked, the United States would withdraw its forces from the region within 30 days and lift all sanctions imposed on Iran.
While the reported memorandum lays out a roadmap toward a broader settlement, many of its provisions — particularly those related to uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, American troop withdrawals and the reconstruction fund — would likely face intense scrutiny from US lawmakers, regional allies and nonproliferation experts.
Neither Washington nor Tehran had publicly released the text of the memorandum as of Tuesday.
The White House did not respond to questions about the reported text’s accuracy.
