On 17th June, Iran and the United States signed a memorandum to end the war they have been waging since 28th February. Why? Read this article.
What did each of them commit to in the memorandum? The best way to find out is, obviously, to read the memorandum directly. “But that memorandum is surely written in terribly difficult administrative English,” you say. And we hear you – therefore we translated it into the mere mortals’ English:
Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran
1 — The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war are signing this MOU to declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph.
Translation:
The war ends immediately. Both sides promise not to attack each other again – anywhere, not even in Lebanon. This also applies to their allies (a.k.a Israel and Hizballah). This memorandum is just the beginning – a proper final peace deal is yet to come.
2 — The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
Translation:
The US and Iran will respect each other’s territorial sovereignty and stop getting into each other’s business.
3 — The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days, extendable with mutual consent.
Translation:
After signing this memorandum they have 60 days to negotiate that proper final peace deal. If they both agree, they can extend this deadline.
The Strait of Hormuz
4 — Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the US will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by Iran. The US further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.
Translation:
The Strait of Hormuz will be immediately reopened so that as many ships as before the war can pass. The US has 30 days to completely remove its military ships from Hormuz. And, once the final peace deal is signed, 30 days to remove its military forces from the region.
5 — Upon the signing of this MOU, Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge, for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles, and demining by Iran will be instated within 30 days. Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.
Translation:
Iran will reopen Hormuz. For the first 60 days, commercial ships can sail through there for free. Iran will also clear the mines they put there within 30 days. After that, Iran will negotiate with Oman and other Gulf countries about who runs the strait long-term.
Financial side of the peace deal
6 — The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.
Translation:
The US and its allies will put together at least 300 billion $ to rebuild Iran.
And what about sanctions?
7 — The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned, and expressed their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
Translation:
The US will drop all sanctions against Iran – everything, from UN resolutions to its own unilateral ones.
And Iranian nuclear program?
8 — Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The US and Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven, with the minimum methodology to be down blended on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned. They express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
Translation:
Iran promises to not buy or produce nuclear weapons. What will happen to the enriched uranium it already has is yet to be negotiated in the final peace deal. However, some of it will be diluted down to a harmless level, under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
9 — Pending the final deal, the US and Iran agree to maintain the status quo. Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program. And the US will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.
Translation:
Until the final deal is signed, everything will remain as it is. Iran will keep its current nuclear program, the US won’t add new sanctions or send more troops to the region.
A technical note regarding the sanctions:
10 — The US undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU and until the termination of sanctions, US Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives. And all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.
Translation:
Iran can start selling its oil, and related services (like banking, insurance, or transportation) again. To make it possible, the US Treasury will issue special permits until all sanctions are lifted.
Frozen Iranian funds
11 — The US undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of Iran upon the implementation of this MOU. The US and Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during negotiations. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of Iran. The US undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.
Translation:
The US will unfreeze all Iranian money it has frozen.
How will the implementation of peace work in practice?
12 — The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established. To monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal.
Translation:
The US and Iran will set up a joint team to make sure both of them are actually doing what they promised.
13 — After signing this MOU, and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of this MOU, and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.
Translation:
Points 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 will come into effect first. A.k.a. end of fighting, opening of the Strait of Hormuz, lifting of sanctions against Iran and unfreezing of its money. Only then everything else will be negotiated.
14 — The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.
Translation:
The final peace deal will get stamped by the UN Security Council, making it officially binding under international law.