Tehran promises end to Hormuz blockade, Washington to withdraw troops

If a memorandum of understanding with the United States is signed, Iran would lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, allowing shipping on this key maritime route to return to pre-war levels within a month. The United States, in turn, would withdraw its military forces from near Iran and lift its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran’s state television reported this today, according to Reuters, saying it had obtained a draft of an initial, unofficial framework for the memorandum being negotiated to end the war.

The framework agreement does not cover naval vessels and provides for Iran to manage and oversee commercial traffic through the strait in cooperation with Oman. However, the final version of the memorandum has yet to be completed, and Tehran will take no steps without “tangible verification”, state television said. It added that the memorandum also envisages that if a final agreement is reached within 60 days of its signing, it could be approved as a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.

The emerging memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran is based on indirect talks that began in April, after a ceasefire was reached in the Middle East war launched by the United States and Israel with strikes against Iran in late February. Iran responded with attacks on countries in the Persian Gulf region and on US bases in the region, and also blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key global artery particularly for the transport of oil and liquefied natural gas. Pakistan has played the main role in mediating negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

US President Donald Trump said over the weekend that a memorandum of understanding on a peace agreement with Iran had largely been negotiated. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that Iran and the United States had made considerable progress on many issues concerning a lasting end to the war, but noted that this did not mean a peace agreement would be signed soon. The memorandum is not a peace agreement, but it could bring one closer.