US–Iran MoU keeps mum on Tehran's nuclear capability. What are the other fault lines? Explained
The United States and Iran announced an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, bringing an end to a conflict that claimed thousands of
The United States and Iran announced an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, bringing an end to a conflict that claimed thousands of lives and paving the way for 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. According to a report by Bloomberg, officials from both countries are scheduled to meet in Switzerland on 19 June to formally sign the agreement, although the absence of a publicly released text suggests that several key issues remain unresolved and will be addressed in the next phase of talks. But US President Donald Trump on Saturday had promised an agreement would be reached on Sunday — his 80th birthday — and he had pushed hard for it to go ahead. “This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region,” Trump said in a post on social media. He said the strait would open on 19 June, after the agreement is signed and mines are removed from the waterway, Bloomberg reported. Main unresolved or contested issues include: Sanctions relief A major sticking point in the negotiations is the issue of frozen assets and sanctions relief. However, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official, that the United States has agreed not to impose new sanctions on Iran while negotiations continue. The official also said Washington would temporarily waive oil-related sanctions and eventually lift all US and UN sanctions under a mutually agreed timeline if a final deal is reached. In addition, the US is said to have agreed to release $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets through a combination of direct cash transfers, regional financial cooperation, and credit facilities. Strait of Hormuz management The memorandum of understanding is intended to restore civilian passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but disagreements remain over who will control the waterway. Iran insists on managing the strait under a sovereignty-based arrangement with Oman, including the ability to levy service fees, while the United States supports keeping it fully open without Iranian charges or interference.
Differences also persist over rules for military vessels, enforcement mechanisms, and implementation timelines. Iran has indicated it expects a post-deal management role, which contrasts with the US position. Separately, the United States and Iran have announced an agreement aimed at ending the wider regional conflict and reopening the strategic strait, prompting relief after months of violence and economic disruption. Few details were made public, but President Trump said Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil supplies that Iran has blockaded since the start of the war, would reopen. "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," President Trump said on Sunday. "Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" Lebanon ceasefire and regional proxies The scope and enforcement of a Lebanon ceasefire tied to Hezbollah and Israel remain disputed. Iran favours arrangements that would preserve its influence through allied groups, while the United States and Israel are concerned about limiting proxy activity and preventing Hezbollah from rearming. Israel has criticised the proposed framework, arguing that it does not adequately address its security concerns or ensure effective control and enforcement on the ground, particularly regarding compliance by armed groups in Lebanon. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also echoed the sentiment, calling the deal "bad for Israel", AFP reported. Smotrich also called for a stronger campaign in Lebanon. "We will be judged in Lebanon. This is our war, our soldiers, and the immediate security of our northern residents," he said. The claim that “the war started by Trump has killed thousands, mostly in Iran and Lebanon” is broadly consistent with available reporting, which estimates total deaths in the thousands across the wider conflict, particularly in Iran and Lebanon. Nuclear programme Most of the key nuclear issues have been pushed into the 60-day negotiation period. In addition, the MOU does not fully resolve the fate of Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile. These include the fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, such as whether it will be removed, diluted, or reprocessed under international verification.
The BriefWire