PM Shehbaz signs ‘Islamabad MoU’ as mediator between US and Iran

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday signed the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ as a mediator, formalizing a major diplomatic breakthrough between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to a release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The memo also bears the signatures of US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Earlier today, Sharif said, “I am honored to announce that the historic ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ has been signed electronically today between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Memorandum has been signed by the honorable presidents of both countries and also endorsed by me as mediator,” the Prime Minister earlier announced on his X timeline.

He added that the memorandum will take effect immediately and as a “first step, the Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade.”

The United States and Israel launched war against Iran on February 28, assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, and military leaders on the first day. It quickly became a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon; rising energy prices; They renewed inflationary pressures and raised concerns about a major food supply crisis in developing countries.

The 14-point agreement extends a ceasefire announced in April for another 60 days, including in Lebanon, to allow the two sides to negotiate a final truce. Both Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian digitally signed the memorandum in English and Farsi, U.S. and Iranian officials said, and Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the deal was already in effect as of Wednesday.

Trump signed just before a big dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, the site of the signing of the treaty of the same name that formally ended World War I.

The United States and Iran on Wednesday released the text of the Islamabad MoU that their presidents signed to end their war. However, US President Donald Trump had threatened to resume attacks and kill Iranian officials if they did not fulfill their commitments.

Trump, who attended the G7 with other leaders in France, also walked back at least one of his arguments for attacking Iran in the first place, saying it would be “unfair” for Tehran not to have ballistic missiles, having previously promised to destroy them.

“We will bomb them if they violate the deal,” Trump said of Iran at a news conference. “I don’t want them to do it. I want them to respect the agreement.” He also called the Iranians “smart people” as U.S. and Iranian negotiators work on a permanent truce over the next 60 days, which Trump said he hoped would usher in peace in the Middle East and lower oil prices.

Iran’s leaders did not address the new threats as they celebrated the moment and released photographs of what is believed to be the first agreement signed by an American and Iranian president since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

Switzerland says talks scheduled for Friday between Iran and US

Initial talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled for Friday in the mountain resort of Buergenstock in Switzerland, following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington, the Swiss government said Thursday.

“As things stand, the plan remains for the United States and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other countries involved, to meet tomorrow in Buergenstock for initial negotiations on the implementation of the agreement.

“There is no further information currently available on the timing and details of this meeting,” the Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran publishes 14-point draft agreement outlining deal with US

IRNA The text of an Islamabad memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States was published on Wednesday outlining a roadmap to end their military conflict and negotiate a final agreement.

Below is the 14-point document published by Tehran:

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America and their respective allies in the current war, by signing this memorandum of understanding, declare the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. They undertake not to start any war or military operation against each other in the future, to refrain from threatening or using force against each other, and to guarantee the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final agreement will confirm the permanent end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and the remaining provisions of this clause.
2. Iran and the United States commit to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
3. Iran and the United States commit to carrying out negotiations and reaching a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual agreement.
4. Immediately upon signing this memorandum, the United States will begin to lift its naval blockade and any harassment or obstruction directed against Iran and will completely end the blockade within 30 days. During this period, maritime traffic will remain at levels corresponding to the pre-war traffic restored by Iran. The United States also pledges to withdraw its military forces from the area surrounding Iran within 30 days of a final agreement.
5. By signing this memorandum, Iran will make all efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial ships, free of charge for 60 days, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Commercial shipping will resume immediately and, subject to Iran’s removal of technical and military obstacles and mine clearance operations, will be fully restored within 30 days. Iran will hold talks with the Sultanate of Oman on the future administration and maritime services of the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states, and will also consult with other Gulf littoral states.
6. The United States is committed, along with its regional partners, to establishing an agreed-upon program that provides at least $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development. The implementation mechanism of this program will be finalized within 60 days as part of the final agreement. The United States will provide all necessary approvals, exemptions and licenses for related financial transactions.
7. The United States is committed to ending all sanctions against Iran, including those arising from UN Security Council resolutions, International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors resolutions, and all US unilateral sanctions, both primary and secondary, according to a mutually agreed upon schedule as part of the final agreement. Both sides recognize the fundamental importance of sanctions relief and express their intention to address the issue promptly during negotiations.
8. Iran reaffirms that it will not produce or acquire nuclear weapons. Iran and the United States agree to resolve the status of stored enriched materials through a mutually agreed mechanism and in accordance with the schedule set out in Clause 7, at a minimum through on-site dilution under IAEA supervision. The parties also agree to discuss enrichment and other mutually agreed nuclear issues related to Iran’s nuclear needs within a satisfactory framework to be established in the final agreement. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this clause. Both sides recognize the fundamental importance of these nuclear issues and intend to address them quickly in negotiations.
9. Iran and the United States agree to maintain the status quo until a final agreement is reached. Iran will maintain the current state of its nuclear program, while the United States will not impose new sanctions on Iran and will not deploy additional military forces to the region.
10. The United States commits, immediately upon the signing of this memorandum and until sanctions end, to issue Treasury Department waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petrochemicals and derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation and other associated activities.
11. The United States is committed to making all restricted or frozen Iranian funds and assets fully available for use upon implementation of this memorandum. The two sides will bilaterally agree on procedures to release these funds during negotiations. Whether the funds remain in their original accounts or are transferred, they must be fully usable for payments to any beneficial owner designated by the Central Bank of Iran. The United States agrees to issue all necessary approvals and licenses in this regard.
12. Iran and the United States agree to establish an implementation mechanism to monitor the successful execution of this memorandum and future compliance with the final agreement.
13. Following the signing of this memorandum, and subject to the initiation and continuation of the implementation of Clauses 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11, Iran and the United States will begin negotiations on a final agreement that concerns exclusively the remaining clauses.
14. The final agreement will be endorsed by a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council