Photo: EPA
A draft agreement between the United States and Iran includes major sanctions relief, the return of frozen assets, and a plan to support Iran’s economic reconstruction, according to a senior Iranian official cited by Reuters.
The proposal would serve as the framework for 60 days of negotiations aimed at reaching a final comprehensive agreement.
Financial provisions
- The United States would refrain from imposing new sanctions on Iran while negotiations are underway.
- Following a final agreement, US and UN sanctions on Iran would be lifted according to an agreed timetable.
- Washington would temporarily remove restrictions on Iranian oil exports, allowing Tehran to increase oil revenues.
- The US would release approximately $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
- Together with regional partners, Washington would develop a reconstruction and economic development plan for Iran.
Nuclear provisions
- Iran would commit not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons.
- Until a final agreement is reached, Tehran would maintain its current nuclear program without further uranium enrichment or expansion of nuclear facilities.
- The US would allow Iran to reduce its stockpile of highly enriched uranium while keeping the material on Iranian territory.
- Iran’s nuclear program would be the subject of separate negotiations during the 60-day period following the signing of the memorandum.
Timeline
US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have suggested that the agreement could be signed as early as today. However, Iranian officials have questioned that timeline, indicating that several more days may be needed to finalize the deal.
If concluded, the agreement could become one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East in recent years and could have a major impact on global energy markets through the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
