UN Encouraged by Reported U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding
Talks between the United States and Iran have yielded an apparent "Memorandum of Understanding," a development cautiously welcomed by the United Nations.
United Nations, New York
Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, welcomed the alleged “Memorandum of Understanding” between the United States and Iran as “encouraging,” cautioning, however, that “we’ve been close before.”
The comments come as both governments in Washington and Tehran have reportedly agreed to terms on a temporary peace deal, a framework that paves the way for more comprehensive long-term negotiations.
According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the proposed memorandum of understanding, referred to by Araghchi as the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” would formally end the conflict across all fronts, including Lebanon, while laying the groundwork for negotiations on sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear program, and regional security arrangements.
Speaking in an interview today with state broadcaster IRIB, Araghchi said the document would mark the formal end of the war, stating, “The end of the war will be declared on all fronts, including Lebanon,” he said.
“For the first time in 47 years, the United States explicitly states that it respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Araghchi added.
Araghchi boldly noted, while discussing the precarious Strait of Hormuz, that Tehran’s plan for the management of the Strait would be changed under the new terms of the agreement set to be established with Washington, telling IRIB, “The Strait of Hormuz is under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman,” and “Our sword will always remain over the Strait of Hormuz.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions on a momentous peace deal surprisingly echoed those of Foreign Minister Araghchi, marking a rare moment in the conflict where ambiguity on diplomatic arrangements has been somewhat stifled.
Speaking on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump announced that “discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved.”
He further added that “discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others,” and that a time and place for the signing of an agreement would be “announced shortly.”
While the United Nations’ comments suggest a degree of ambivalence, the prospect of diplomacy mirrors the calls made recently at the Security Council by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Speaking to the Council on Wednesday, in a meeting convened and presided over by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Guterres told the Council, “I call on all parties to honour the ceasefire and redouble efforts to reach a lasting agreement.” However, Guterres’ position on the Strait of Hormuz may be antithetical to that of Minister Araghchi’s ambitions, telling Council members, “Restrictions on navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz are causing hardship and instability across the world.”
