{"id":9332,"date":"2026-06-17T20:18:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T01:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/?p=9332"},"modified":"2026-06-30T00:22:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T05:22:00","slug":"9332","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/2026\/06\/17\/9332\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cText of US-Iran memorandum released,\u201d<\/a> Iran International, 6-17-26.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cA senior US official on Wednesday read out a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that outlines a high-level understanding to halt the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0The agreement defers many of the most difficult issues, including how to wind down Iran’s nuclear program, until a final deal is reached, and paves the way for a broader 60-day negotiation period due to begin in Switzerland on Friday.\u00a0The document, titled “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” was read out to reporters by the US official as follows:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The United States of America and the \u200bIslamic Republic of Iran and their \u2060allies in the current war, by signing this MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on \u200call fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph.<\/li>\n
  2. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, \u200band to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.<\/li>\n
  3. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal \u200cin maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent.<\/li>\n
  4. Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove \u200cits forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.<\/li>\n
  5. Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start \u2060and, considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and de-mining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with \u200cthe applicable international law and \u200bthe sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/li>\n
  6. The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of \u200bIran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the \u2060United States of America.<\/li>\n
  7. The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, \u200ci.e. IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part \u200bof the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned and express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.<\/li>\n
  8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material pursuant to \u200ca mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon, in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down blending on site under the supervision of the \u200bIAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.<\/li>\n
  9. Pending the final deal, the United States of America \u200band the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.<\/li>\n
  10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MoU and until the termination of sanctions, US Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.<\/li>\n
  11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Upon the implementation of this MoU, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiation. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.<\/li>\n
  12. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be \u2060established to monitor the successful implementation of this MoU and the future compliance of the final deal.<\/li>\n
  13. After signing this MoU, and subject to the beginning of the \u2060implementation of paragraphs 1,4,5,10 and 11 of this MoU, and \u200bthe continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.<\/li>\n
  14. The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Here are my thoughts on the MOU:<\/p>\n

    -We have 60 days from yesterday (60 d after 6-17-26) to negotiate.<\/p>\n

    -Over the next 30 days Hormuz opens to full\/status quo.<\/p>\n

    -Paragraph 6 holds the incentive\u2014If Iran hits markers, up to USD 300 billion from the U.S. and regional partners for the reconstruction and economic development of \u200bIran.\u00a0 Paragraph 7 is tied to Para. 6, that all sanctions and resolutions will be released if Iran decides to be a normal country.\u00a0 Many of the sanctioned funds in Paragraph 7 are due to Iran\u2019s terrorism and use of missiles and proxies in the region and beyond over years.\u00a0 Thus, Iran\u2019s use of terror and missiles and proxies, etc. will be included in the 60 day negotiating period if they want the development funds.\u00a0 Those funds are held for those subject bad acts and decisions.\u00a0 Iran has 60 days to change its colors.\u00a0 [Will it?\u00a0 No].<\/p>\n

    -Para 8 says \u201cIran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.\u201d\u00a0 Then \u201cThe United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material pursuant to \u200ca mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon, in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph 7 with the minimum methodology to be down blending on site under the supervision of the \u200bIAEA.\u201d \u00a0Iran has a very small civilian (Bushehr) nuclear energy program.\u00a0 Remember, there is no \u201cright\u201d to nuclear energy as Iran claims\u2014that privilege can be lost by bad acts.<\/p>\n

    -Important, by its wording\/terms\/importance, Paragraph 8 (the nuclear weapons program) must be negotiated before Paragraph 7.\u00a0 Thus, Paragraph 6 would flow out of those talks on 8 and 7.<\/p>\n

    -Per Para. 11, the only money Iran receives during the 60 days of negotiations are the frozen or current restricted funds and assets.\u00a0 How much is this?<\/p>\n

    -We will see how the 60 days goes.\u00a0 It is unlikely in my observation that Iran will follow its agreement.\u00a0 This also means that it is unlikely Iran will start with Paragraph 8 discussions and come to a conclusion with the U.S.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cThe US-Iran MoU has been signed and is now in effect | LIVE BLOG,\u201d<\/a> i24, 6-17-26.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cUS President Trump personally signed a copy of the agreement during a dinner with President Macron of France at the Palace of Versailles.\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t wait for Friday in Switzerland.\u00a0 This was destined because announcing the MOU on Monday without the text to come until a Friday signing was not good PR or IR anyway.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDeal Gives Iran Chance to Turbocharge Its Oil Revenue:\u00a0 Iran could earn more than $60 billion in annual sales based on its prewar production levels and current prices,\u201d<\/a> WSJ, 6-17-26.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow the U.S.-Iran Deal Came Down to the Wire,\u201d<\/a> NYT, 6-17-26.\u00a0 “But two Iranian officials said Tehran waited until the clock passed midnight local time to finalize the agreement, because it did not want the momentous occasion to coincide with Mr. Trump\u2019s birthday. The seven-and-a-half-hour time difference allowed both Tehran and Washington to claim their preferred version of when the deal was finalized. Mr. Trump had said it would be on Sunday, and Iran had said it would be on a later day.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u201cText of US-Iran memorandum released,\u201d Iran International, 6-17-26.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cA senior US official on Wednesday read out a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that outlines a high-level understanding to halt the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0The agreement defers many of the most difficult issues, including how to wind … <\/p>\n

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