Trump-Iran Agreement Unveiled: 14 Points That Could Reshape the Middle East/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A leaked 14-point draft outlines a framework for ending the U.S.-Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement includes sanctions relief, a potential $300 billion development fund and future nuclear negotiations. Major questions remain over enforcement, uranium stockpiles and regional conflicts involving Israel and Lebanon.
US-Iran Draft Agreement Quick Looks
- The memorandum establishes an immediate ceasefire.
- Fighting in Lebanon is explicitly included in the agreement.
- Iran pledges never to develop nuclear weapons.
- A final agreement must be negotiated within 60 days.
- The Strait of Hormuz would reopen to commercial shipping.
- The U.S. would ease sanctions and issue export waivers.
- Frozen Iranian assets could be gradually released.
- A proposed $300 billion development fund is included.
- U.S. military withdrawals are tied to a final agreement.
- The final accord would require UN Security Council approval.
Deep Look
Leaked Draft Offers First Detailed Look at US-Iran Framework
A leaked draft of the proposed agreement between the United States and Iran offers the clearest picture yet of how the two longtime adversaries hope to end months of conflict and establish a broader framework for regional stability.
The 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU), obtained by CNN and reportedly confirmed by multiple diplomatic sources, lays out provisions covering ceasefire terms, sanctions relief, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear negotiations and economic reconstruction.
Although both governments have acknowledged progress toward a deal, neither Washington nor Tehran has officially released the full text. The White House has disputed whether leaked versions reflect the final agreement expected to be formally signed in Switzerland later this week.
Still, the document provides valuable insight into the diplomatic architecture that could reshape the Middle East.
Immediate Ceasefire Across All Fronts
The agreement’s first article establishes an immediate and permanent end to hostilities.
Notably, the ceasefire extends beyond direct U.S.-Iran tensions and explicitly includes Lebanon, reflecting Tehran’s insistence that regional conflicts are interconnected.
Both sides pledge not to engage in hostile actions, threats or the use of force against each other moving forward.
The document also includes commitments to respect sovereignty and avoid interference in internal affairs—language commonly found in international agreements designed to reduce long-term tensions.
60-Day Window for Final Negotiations
The memorandum is not the final peace treaty.
Instead, it creates a 60-day negotiation period, which can be extended by mutual consent, during which both countries will seek to finalize unresolved issues.
During this period:
- Iran would maintain the current status of its nuclear program.
- The United States would refrain from imposing new sanctions.
- Washington would avoid expanding military deployments in the region.
This temporary framework is intended to preserve stability while negotiators tackle more difficult issues.
Strait of Hormuz Reopens
One of the agreement’s most economically significant provisions concerns the Strait of Hormuz.
The draft calls for:
- The lifting of the U.S. naval blockade.
- Restoration of maritime traffic to pre-war levels within 30 days.
- Iranian efforts to remove mines and technical obstacles.
- Gradual normalization of shipping routes.
Because roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the strait, its reopening could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets.
Indeed, oil prices have already fallen as investors anticipate improved stability and supply.
Sanctions Relief and Economic Incentives
The agreement includes extensive economic measures aimed at reintegrating Iran into global markets.
Among them:
Sanctions Relief
The United States would gradually lift:
- UN Security Council sanctions
- IAEA restrictions
- Primary U.S. sanctions
- Secondary sanctions affecting international businesses
Export Waivers
The U.S. Treasury would immediately authorize exports involving:
- Iranian crude oil
- Petrochemical products
- Banking services
- Insurance
- Transportation networks
Frozen Assets
Iran would gain access to previously restricted funds, subject to implementation milestones.
$300 Billion Development Fund
Perhaps the most ambitious element is a proposed international reconstruction and development package worth at least $300 billion.
The agreement does not specify who will finance the fund or how it would be administered.
Nuclear Program Remains Unresolved
Despite headline-grabbing provisions, some of the most important issues remain unsettled.
Iran reiterates that it “will never produce nuclear weapons.”
However, the memorandum leaves several critical questions unanswered:
- What happens to highly enriched uranium?
- Who verifies compliance?
- What inspection mechanisms will exist?
- What penalties apply for violations?
These matters are deferred to future negotiations and the eventual final agreement.
This ambiguity has already drawn criticism from lawmakers and analysts who argue that enforcement mechanisms are essential for any durable deal.
Implementation and UN Approval
The draft establishes a joint implementation mechanism to oversee compliance with the final agreement.
Additionally, the final accord would be approved through a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council, potentially giving the deal international legal standing.
Such approval could help protect the agreement from future political changes in either country.
Challenges Ahead
Even if formally signed this week, significant hurdles remain.
Israel has objected to elements of the agreement, particularly regarding Lebanon and regional security. Congressional scrutiny in Washington continues to intensify, with lawmakers seeking greater transparency on sanctions relief and nuclear safeguards.
At the same time, negotiators must still bridge major differences between U.S. and Iranian interpretations of the agreement.
Whether the memorandum becomes a lasting peace framework or merely a temporary pause in hostilities may depend on how these unresolved issues are addressed during the next 60 days.
Below is the text in full:
1 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake that from now on they will not launch any hostile action against each other, and will refrain from the threat or use of force against each other. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article and the remaining Articles.
2 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
3—The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
4 — Immediately upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States lift the naval blockade and prevent any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and restore traffic within a maximum of 30 days to its full capacity; the traffic of ships shall be proportional to the pre-war volume of traffic on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States also undertakes to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement.
5 — Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately take steps to ensure that the movement of merchant ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the pre-war volume, taking into account the need for the removal of technical obstacles and the neutralization of mines by Iran.
6 — The United States undertakes, together with its regional partners, to create a comprehensive plan agreed upon by both parties for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while ensuring financing of at least $300 billion. The implementation mechanism of this plan, as part of the final agreement, will be formulated within 60 days.
7 — The United States commits to ending, on a schedule to be agreed upon as part of the final agreement, all types of sanctions currently facing the Islamic Republic of Iran, including resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, both primary and secondary.
8 — The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have agreed that the fate of enriched material and the fate of all other mutually agreed nuclear-related issues, including Iran’s nuclear needs, will be adequately addressed in a final agreement; the final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article.
9 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that, pending a final agreement, they will maintain the status quo: Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the region.
10 — The United States undertakes that immediately after the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and until the date of the lifting of sanctions, the United States Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, and the like.
11 — The United States undertakes that, in light of the progress of negotiations towards a final agreement, frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be released and made fully available. These funds, whether held in the master account or transferred, will be used for any final beneficiary payment determined by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will be fully available for use. The United States undertakes to issue all necessary permits and licenses on this basis.
12 — The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that an implementation mechanism will be established to oversee the successful implementation of and future commitment to the Final Agreement.
13 — Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and upon receipt of assurances regarding the commencement of implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this Memorandum of Understanding, and the continued implementation of these steps, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will enter into negotiations for a Final Agreement solely with respect to the remaining Articles.
14 — The final agreement will be approved through a binding resolution of the UN Security Council.
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