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

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

The memorandum also includes 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 electronically signed today between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The memorandum has been signed by the honorable presidents of both countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator,” he announced earlier at his prime ministerial address.

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

The US and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, assassinating 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day. It quickly developed into a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon; drove up energy prices; renewed inflationary pressures and sparked concerns about a major food supply crisis in developing countries.

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

Trump signed just before a grand dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, the site of the signing of the eponymous treaty that formally ended the First World War.

The US and Iran released the text of the Islamabad MoU their presidents signed to end their war on Wednesday. However, US President Donald Trump had threatened to resume the attacks and kill Iranian officials if they failed to honor their commitments.

Trump, who attended the G7 with other leaders in France, also retracted at least one of his stated justifications for attacking Iran, saying it would be “unfair” for Tehran not to have ballistic missiles after he has previously vowed to wipe them out.

“We’re going to bomb the hell out of them if they violate the deal,” Trump said of Iran at a news conference. “I don’t want them to. I want them to honor the agreement.” He also called Iranians “smart people” as U.S. and Iranian negotiators work toward a permanent ceasefire over the next 60 days that Trump said he hoped would usher in Middle East peace and lower oil prices.

Iran’s leaders did not address the new threats while celebrating the moment, releasing photographs of what is believed to be the first agreement signed by both a US and Iranian president since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

Switzerland says talks are planned for Friday between Iran and the United States

Initial talks between the United States and Iran are planned at the mountaintop resort of Buergenstock in Switzerland on Friday after the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington, the Swiss government said on Thursday.

“As things stand, the plan is still for the US and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other countries involved, to meet tomorrow in Buergenstock for initial talks on implementing the agreement.

“No further information is currently available about the schedule and details of this meeting,” the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement.

Iran releases 14-point draft deal outlining US deal

IRNA on Wednesday published the text of a memorandum of understanding from Islamabad between Iran and the United States, outlining a roadmap to end their military conflict and negotiate a final deal.

Below is the 14-point document released 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 an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. They undertake not to initiate any war or military operation against each other in the future, to refrain from the threat or use of 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 in 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 undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days, which may be extended by mutual consent.
4. Immediately following the signing of this memorandum, the United States will begin to lift its naval blockade and any harassment or obstruction directed at Iran, and will completely end the blockade within 30 days. During this period, shipping traffic will be maintained at levels similar to pre-war traffic as restored by Iran. The United States also commits to withdrawing its military forces from the area around Iran within 30 days of a final agreement.
5. By signing this memorandum, Iran will do its utmost 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 the removal of technical and military obstacles and demining operations by Iran, will be fully restored within 30 days. Iran will hold discussions with the Sultanate of Oman regarding the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states, and will also consult with other Gulf coastal states.
6. The United States commits to establishing, with its regional partners, an agreed program providing at least $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development. The implementation mechanism for this program will be finalized within 60 days as part of the final agreement. The United States will grant all necessary approvals, waivers and licenses for related financial transactions.
7. The United States commits to ending all sanctions against Iran, including those stemming from UN Security Council resolutions, International Atomic Energy Agency Governing Council resolutions, and all U.S. unilateral sanctions, both primary and secondary, according to a mutually agreed 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 confirms that it will neither produce nor acquire nuclear weapons. Iran and the United States agree to resolve the status of stockpiled enriched materials through a mutually agreed mechanism and in accordance with the schedule set forth in paragraph 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 determined 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 promptly in the negotiations.
9. Iran and the US agree to maintain the status quo until a final deal is reached. Iran will maintain the current status 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 undertakes immediately after the signing of this memorandum and until the sanctions are terminated, to issue waivers from the Treasury Department for the export of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and derivatives and all related services, including banking transactions, insurance, transportation and other related activities.
11. The United States commits to making all restricted or frozen Iranian funds and assets fully available for use in implementing this memorandum. The two parties will agree bilaterally on the procedures for releasing these funds during the negotiations. Whether the funds remain in their original accounts or are transferred, they must be fully usable for payments to any final recipient designated by the Central Bank of Iran. The United States undertakes 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 implementation of this memorandum and future compliance with the final agreement.
13. Following the signing of this memorandum and subject to the commencement and continued implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11, Iran and the United States will enter into negotiations for a final agreement solely on the remaining paragraphs.
14. The final agreement will be approved by a binding resolution of the UN Security Council