In a post, Abbas Aragchi spoke about the cooperation memorandum that was supposed to be (or perhaps still is to be) signed by Iran and the US and, although he doesn’t mention him, aims to appease Donald Trump. Specifically, Iran’s Foreign Minister implies in his post that the 14-point memorandum was not leaked by the Iranian government, but was a… palimpsest of thoughts from the country’s mass media. “The Islamabad Cooperation Memorandum has never been closer. Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from speculating about its contents. According to our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be communicated to the public in due time,” Aragchi stated. The post came shortly after Donald Trump’s post characterizing the Iranians as “dishonest.”
Read: Trump on Iran: “We won the war today, we didn’t need G7 help”
Vance threatens
US Vice President J.D. Vance made a post after the 14-point memorandum that was either leaked or… fabricated by Iranian media. As expected, following Donald Trump’s post, it was quite aggressive. “I see a lot of false information about a potential deal to reopen the strait and end Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” he initially stated and emphasized: “The Iranians receive no cash, and no funds are released simply for signing an agreement or participating in a meeting.” “If the Islamic Republic of Iran fulfills its obligations, then economic benefits will flow to it and to the entire region,” he added, concluding that “the president is going to get us a good outcome, one way or another.”
Iran: diplomatic thriller
Before Aragchi’s post, which aims to function as a fire extinguisher, and Vance’s post, a diplomatic thriller had unfolded with some harsh language, which Donald Trump enjoys from time to time, regarding the imminent – but currently potential bridge of Arta – agreement for a definitive ceasefire between Iran, the US and Israel. This happened also after Iran denied Bloomberg’s report about agreement signatures on Sunday, June 14 in Geneva. According to the “Times of Israel,” the denial was published in Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency. Iran, for its part, leaked first that it needs time to give its approval to the ceasefire agreement draft, but also that the agreement presupposes maintaining full control of the Strait of Hormuz on their side. Trump referred to being in a furious state over the leak of terms that were agreed upon in writing, which means he could potentially prove the “fake news” from the Iranian side.
Donald Trump’s post
The terms that Iran leaked to the “fake news” have NO relation to the terms that were agreed upon in writing. What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement about reaching an agreement, has nothing to do with the truth. They are very dishonest people to work with. With them, there can be no good faith negotiation. INCREDIBLE! Also, the failed drone attack they carried out last night against Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together, and FAST!
Iran: this is the 14-point memorandum that was leaked
According to the Iranian agency, which was the one from which the denial of Bloomberg’s report about the Geneva agreement emerged, the draft agreement includes 14 points:
* Permanent and immediate cessation of war on all fronts, including Lebanon.
* US commitment to “non-interference in Iran’s internal affairs” and respect for its sovereignty.
* Lifting of the American naval blockade within 30 days.
* Withdrawal of American forces from areas around Iran.
* Reoperation of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, “under Iranian arrangements.”
* Suspension of American sanctions on Iranian oil.
* The US and its allies to develop reconstruction plans for Iran “worth at least $300 billion.”
* Sixty days of negotiations to reach a final agreement “based on nuclear issues and complete lifting of sanctions.”
* Reaffirmation of Iran’s commitment not to build nuclear weapons.
* During negotiations, the US will not increase its forces in the region, nor impose new sanctions.
* Release of $24 billion from frozen Iranian assets.
* Creation of a monitoring mechanism for agreement implementation.
* The final agreement will be approved through a UN Security Council resolution.
* Final negotiations will not begin before the release of half of Iran’s frozen assets, suspension of oil sanctions, and lifting of the naval blockade.
Netanyahu’s commitment
Israel’s Prime Minister has likely been briefed on the terms of the cooperation memorandum between the US and Iran. Perhaps that’s why he could speak comfortably on Thursday, June 12 about nuclear weapons, essentially repeating his position regarding Iran acquiring them. “As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons,” declared Benjamin Netanyahu, in the context of the potential agreement with the US. In his statement, Netanyahu said “For more than 30 years I have been on the front lines of the international fight against Iran’s nuclear program,” and continued saying that he and American President Trump “agree completely.”
