Axios has learned the contents of the Iran deal that Trump is ready to sign
Kyiv • UNN
The memorandum provides for the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions on oil sales. The parties have also agreed on a 60-day ceasefire.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, which US President Donald Trump said would be signed soon, provides for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz without charging transit fees and the easing of sanctions against Iran subject to compliance with conditions, Axios reports, citing a diplomat from one of the mediating countries and a US official, according to UNN.
Details
The Memorandum of Understanding will extend the ceasefire for 60 days, including in Lebanon, during which negotiations on the nuclear program will be held. The text contains a framework for resolving the issue of Iran's enriched uranium, although any action regarding Iran's nuclear program would depend on a second, more detailed agreement.
A diplomat from one of the mediating countries said that "the US and Iran have agreed on the text of the agreement," but acknowledged that the deal still requires final approval.
As of Thursday evening, the deal had been approved on the Iranian side at a high level, but likely not by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, two knowledgeable sources said.
Trump stated that he expects a signing ceremony over the weekend. A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran "has not yet reached a final decision."
The White House has considered the deal close to conclusion several times over the past two months, but negotiations fell through. The diplomat expressed optimism that the text would be adopted this time.
Four US Air Force C-17 aircraft reportedly flew to Europe on Thursday, carrying equipment for a possible trip by US Vice President JD Vance to a signing ceremony in Geneva in the coming days.
According to two diplomats from two mediating countries and two US officials, a preliminary agreement was reached Wednesday night after several hours of negotiations between Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
During the talks in Tehran, Al-Thawadi spoke by phone several times with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two sources said.
Trump's announcement of the deal came as a surprise to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the publication writes. According to a US source with direct knowledge of the situation, Netanyahu has been in the dark in recent days, calling allies close to the Trump administration to try to gather information.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Iran will take on certain obligations regarding its nuclear program—primarily, never to possess nuclear weapons and to resolve the standoff over its enriched uranium.
A senior US official said Trump agreed that one option for resolving the issue could be downblending Iran's highly enriched uranium inside the country under the supervision of UN inspectors.
Any steps regarding Iran's nuclear program would only be taken if a second agreement is reached—an uncertain prospect, the publication notes, given how difficult the much less technical negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding were.
The diplomat claimed that the Memorandum of Understanding "addresses all nuclear issues in detail" and "satisfies all US requirements."
The Memorandum of Understanding provides for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz without charging transit fees, with a return to pre-war shipping volumes within 30 days. In return, the US blockade would also be lifted.
Earlier, US officials told Axios that after the reopening of the strait, Iran would be granted a temporary sanctions waiver, allowing it to sell oil for 60 days. This would bring "valuable revenue" to Tehran.
Sanctions relief would increase if Iran fulfills the initial agreement and demonstrates "good faith" in further negotiations.
"There is no set date for sanctions relief, and it will be tied to the implementation of the agreement," the diplomat said.
However, the publication writes, it is unclear whether the text contains any detailed explanation of what will happen to the billions of Iranian dollars frozen abroad.
Iran insisted that it should receive a certain amount of money immediately after signing any initial agreement, while the US said it would be paid in tranches based on compliance with conditions.
A US source outside the administration expressed concern that the issue of frozen funds could be resolved in a secret side agreement. A US official recently denied this possibility to Axios.
According to a US official and a source from one of the mediating countries, the US, Iran, and Qatar have discussed a mechanism in recent days by which Iran would gain access to some of its frozen funds in Qatar to purchase humanitarian goods.
The deal, which was jointly brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, will be called the Islamabad Agreement—if both sides eventually agree to sign it.
"We are working with the parties to put the final touches on the agreement and set a date for the signing ceremony," said a diplomat from one of the mediating countries.