Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, shared on X on Friday that Tehran and Washington were very close to a deal to permanently end their conflict while stressing that a finalised agreement was yet to be signed.
“The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer. Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content. In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course,” he wrote.
Araghchi spoke to Iran’s Press TV late Friday, stating that the agreement consisted of two stages. The first stage is reportedly a memorandum of understanding while the second stage is the beginning of negotiations on several issues.
He said that all fighting would be halted under the first stage, including Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, with commitments not to resume strikes.
The second stage would include discussions regarding the future of Tehran’s nuclear programme, the lifting of sanctions and the unfreezing of assets. Araghchi also said the Strait of Hormuz would continue to be administered by Iran and Oman.
He said Iran was still reviewing the initial memorandum of understanding partly due to deep distrust with the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker and top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, shared a vague post on X.
“Commitments made must be commitments kept. No ifs, no buts, no excuses. For the close deal ahead, there is no other way,” said the post “You reap what you sow.”
Washington’s statement
A senior U.S official told reporters on Friday that a deal was “not quite at the finish line yet, but we are very close”.
He said the memorandum of understanding involved relief of sanctions as well as the unfreezing of Iranian assets, in return for Tehran agreeing to dismantle its nuclear programme and surrender its nuclear material. He clarified that the sanctions relief and release of funds were contingent on Iran’s compliance towards the agreement.
