The United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a potential agreement (in the form of a memorandum of understanding) that could extend the ceasefire and possibly lead to a permanent peace deal, according to recent reports. The focus is naturally on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalation of the Middle East crisis, with sources suggesting signatures could happen immediately, before the G7 Summit.
As Bloomberg reports, a senior Iranian official hinted overnight that the two sides are close to reaching an agreement, a fact confirmed by a G7 country official under anonymity. According to a second G7 official, the agreement is expected to take the form of a memorandum of understanding rather than a definitive bilateral agreement.
Meanwhile, Arab media sources reported that Kaja Kallas communicated with the Pakistani Foreign Minister and was briefed on the level of negotiations between the US and Iran.
G7 in France – Geneva for US-Iran agreement signatures, Tehran won’t confirm
This development comes just days before the G7 summit, which will take place from June 15-17 in Évian, France. Sources familiar with the consultations report that nearby Geneva is being considered as a possible signing location as early as Sunday. However, officials note that Tehran (which, according to Al Arabiya, was the one requesting signatures on European soil) has not yet officially confirmed its participation, while contacts between the two sides have remained slow since the war began in February.
A second G7 official confirmed there are clear signs of progress, but reminded that several diplomatic initiatives in the past have not resulted in final outcomes.
Geneva was already mentioned as a possible signing city by the American website Axios, which noted that four US Air Force C-17 aircraft departed for Europe on Thursday, carrying equipment in anticipation of a possible visit by Vice President Vance to a signing ceremony in Geneva in the coming days.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry calls 14-point agreement “speculation”
At the same time, according to reports from several Iranian media outlets, there is a 14-point draft, which seems difficult to have been accepted by the US, but even regarding this, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson states it is merely media speculation, according to Al Jazeera reports.
The 14 points of the preliminary agreement, as reported by Iran’s Mehr agency, are as follows:
1. Permanent and immediate ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon.
2. America’s commitment to non-interference in Iran’s internal affairs and respect for the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
3. Complete lifting of the naval blockade within 30 days.
4. The US to withdraw its forces from the region around Iran
5. Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under Iranian arrangements.
6. Suspension of sanctions on oil, petrochemical products and derivatives sales and full access of Iran to its financial resources.
7. The US and its allies to present reconstruction plans for Iran worth at least $300 billion.
8. 60 days of negotiations to reach a final agreement based on nuclear issues and complete lifting of primary, secondary, US sanctions and UN Security Council and IAEA Board of Governors resolutions.
9. Reaffirmation of Iran’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) not to produce nuclear weapons.
10. During negotiations, the US has committed not to increase its forces in the region and will not impose new sanctions.
11. Release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the 60-day final negotiation period. Half of this amount must be made available to Iran before negotiations begin.
12. Establishment of a monitoring mechanism for agreement implementation.
13. The final agreement will be approved by a UN Security Council resolution.
14. Final negotiations will not begin before the release of half of Iran’s frozen assets, suspension of oil sanctions against Iran, and lifting of the naval blockade. The final agreement will deal exclusively with enriched materials and enrichment fate, sanctions lifting, and Iran’s economic reconstruction program. Discussions about Iran’s missile program and support for resistance groups have been permanently removed from the agenda.
