Iran appears to have secured key concessions in last-minute negotiations with the U.S. over the memorandum of understanding, with several provisions reportedly adjusted in Tehran’s favor. According to Tasnim, talks continued until the final moments before the announcement, underscoring intense bargaining over the wording and timing of key clauses.
According to an informed source speaking to Tasnim, one of the main amendments was an addition to a clause guaranteeing “sovereignty and respect for the territorial integrity of Lebanon” in the first article, a provision initially opposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Iran dictates Strait of Hormuz clause
The report added that Iran and Oman introduced an additional phrase concerning “the management of maritime navigation services in the Strait of Hormuz” into the fifth clause of the memorandum, marking another point of adjustment during the talks.
It further noted that a 60-day exemption was agreed regarding the collection of fees from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, after which Iran plans to begin imposing the charges.
The source said Trump had pushed for the simultaneous reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the blockade immediately upon the announcement of the understanding, but Iran rejected this proposal.
Instead, it was agreed that the process of reopening the Strait of Hormuz would begin following the formal signing of the memorandum on Friday.
Tasnim also reported that Trump had initially stated in a social media post that both the strait and the blockade had been opened simultaneously, before later revising his statement after being informed through the Pakistani mediator. In the updated post, he clarified that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened after Friday.
Pakistan, Iran announce MoU
On Sunday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that an agreement had been reached between Washington and Tehran following intensive negotiations and mediation efforts.
Sharif said both sides had agreed to an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” adding that the official signing ceremony is scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland.
He thanked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye for their role in facilitating the agreement and said a series of technical and pre-implementation meetings would take place before the formal signing.
https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/2066268332832194810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2066268332832194810%7Ctwgr%5E6a069e0ecfe01664f6c934e2a8f91fbb525cf325%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fenglish.almayadeen.net%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Firan-secured-last-minute-concessions-over-hormuz—lebanon-mo
Similarly, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it finalized a memorandum of understanding with the United States on June 14 regarding the end-of-war negotiations, referred to as the Islamabad talks.
Key points are that military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, are to cease immediately and permanently from tonight, according to the statement.
Additionally, the naval blockade imposed on Iran will be lifted immediately. The memorandum is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday, June 19. Talks on a final comprehensive agreement will be postponed until the other side fulfills its commitments under the memorandum.