A major agreement is set to be signed between Iran and the United States. (Image X @nicholadrummond)
Tehran: A major agreement is set to be signed between Iran and the United States - specifically, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - in Geneva soon. Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, spoke openly about the matter, outlining the agreement's contents, Iran's conditions, and the obligations required of the US. US Vice President Vance also commented on the issue.
According to Baghaei, this MOU is the result of the Iranian people's "historic courage." Despite the hostile stance taken by the US and Israel over the past year, Iran stood its ground. Now, both nations have reached a written agreement.
Baghaei explicitly stated that Iran would not forget the crimes committed during the "12-day war" waged by the US and Israel. He made this point to counter the assumption held by some that everything would be forgiven following the agreement.
Baghaei asserted, "No; avenging the martyrs is a permanent policy of Iran—one that cannot be changed."
Baghaei sharply criticized the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and its Board of Governors. He stated that these international bodies failed to condemn the aggression of the US and Israel—a source of shame for them—and ultimately failed this test.
When a journalist asked whether the agreement included Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon or merely a ceasefire, Baghaei replied that the word "Lebanon" appears three times in the MOU. The document addresses respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the cessation of hostilities. In other words, it entails a complete end to the conflict, not just a temporary ceasefire.
Baghaei announced that prior to the signing of the agreement, Iranian officials would visit neighboring and regional countries. Full details regarding these visits will be made public soon. Additionally, the signing method and procedure—specifically who will sign and where—will be finalized and officially announced within a day or two.
This is the most crucial part of the agreement. Baghaei stated that the US must return Iran's funds that were frozen abroad and pay compensation for damages. All economic sanctions must be lifted, allowing Iran to sell its oil without hindrance.
This is a major and novel aspect of the agreement. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's key oil transit routes, with millions of barrels of oil passing through it daily. Iran has now stated that it will charge fees to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for services such as navigation assistance, insurance, and environmental safety measures. Iran will handle this task as it is a coastal nation bordering the strait. Baghaei clarified that this is not a "toll," but rather a fee charged for services rendered. A specific point is that passage through the strait for a set period will depend on the conduct of the other party (i.e., the US or Israel).
The MoU does not contain the finer details of the nuclear issue. It has merely been decided that, following the signing of the agreement, separate talks will be held between Iran and the US within 60 days regarding the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. In other words, this MoU marks a beginning; the substantive negotiations are yet to take place.
In an interview with CNBC, US Vice President-elect JD Vance stated that there would be a "two-stage inspection process" regarding Iran's nuclear program. The US wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open and toll-free in the long run. Many details remain to be finalized. Iran's Speaker of the House, Foreign Minister, and other senior leaders will participate in the signing ceremony. Regarding Israel, Vance stated that there are people in Israel who favor this agreement. Israel, too, will have a place in the new Middle East. The full text of the agreement is expected to be made public this week.
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