Peace talks DOA (or why i didn't bother to post about the MOU) - THE ASIA PIVOT - 19-Jun-2026
12bytes: Here's the text of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by both Iran and the US a few days ago:
1. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, and their allies in the current war, by signing this MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), 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.
2. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America 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 of America commit to negotiating and achieving the final Deal, in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent.
4. Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of 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 the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final Deal.
5. Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of 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 de-mining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue 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.
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 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.
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, i.e. IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. 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 express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America 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 blending on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two Parties also agree 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 Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
9. Pending the final Deal, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree to maintain the status quo; the Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.
10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MoU and until the termination of sanctions, U.S. 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.
11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Upon the implementation of this MoU, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiation. 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 the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.
12. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MoU and the future compliance of the final Deal.
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 Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America will start negotiations regarding the final Deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.
14. The final Deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.
IRAN-US MOU: Bürgenstock Didn't Collapse, It Was Sabotaged - 21st Century Wire
What was supposed to be a landmark diplomatic breakthrough collapsed before it even began. The Bürgenstock meeting, scheduled for June 19-21 at the exclusive resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, was designed as the first in-person implementation session following the electronic signing of the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. President Donald Trump signed a hard copy of the agreement at the Palace of Versailles in France during the G7 summit, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed in Tehran. Pakistan and Qatar had co-mediated the deal and jointly proposed the Swiss venue. Switzerland had already approved full army security and a temporary airspace closure for the opening day. None of it materialised.
Less than 24 hours after the electronic signatures, Israeli forces struck southern Lebanon. Iran immediately invoked Clause 1 of the 14-point Islamabad MoU, the immediate ceasefire on all fronts, explicitly including Lebanon, and suspended the entire 60-day negotiation window. What had looked like a carefully negotiated opening for de-escalation was dead on arrival.
US and Iran will not Meet in Switzerland... Israel Derails the Negotiation
Israel ignored Donald Trump's request that it halt military operations in Lebanon and chose instead to escalate its attacks south of the Litani river. Intense clashes are taking place on the outskirts of Nabatieh, Lebanon, between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. The ball is now in Donald Trump's hands... Will he demand Israel stop or face the consequences, or will he acquiesce to Bibi? Trump has the power to force Netanyahu to submit by cutting off or delaying the delivery of critical military aid and by withdrawing US air defense assets, i.e., the Patriot and the THAAD.
The Middle East Spectator reports that if Israel does not implement an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and stop its advances along all sectors, Iran will consider withdrawing from the Memorandum of Understanding.
US-Iran talks delayed as Israel defies fragile roadmap to peace - RT World News
US-Iran negotiations scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday have been postponed, one day after the signing of a memorandum of understanding outlining a roadmap toward peace. Israel has said it will not comply with the terms of the document and has continued military operations in Lebanon.
Netanyahu enlists US right-wing to pressure Trump on Iran deal: Report
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to influence a prospective US-Iran agreement through pro-Israel media figures and allied Republican senators, according to a report amid growing tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv.
The War on Iran is Far From Over - Patrick Henningsen talks to Dimitri Lascaris - 21st Century Wire
This week, Israel's military suffered what Israeli media describe as Israels "hardest day in months" of genocidal warfare in Lebanon. Meanwhile, at the G7 summit in France, U.S. President Donald Trump issued stunning and often contradictory comments about Israel and his war on Iran. Trump's comments at the G7 summit came against the backdrop of the publication of the official version of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Islamic Republic and the Trump regime.
To try to make sense of it all, Reason2Resist host Dimitri Lascaris speaks with Patrick Henningsen, a geopolitical analyst, founder 21st Century Wire, the host of Sunday Wire, and co-host of UK Column News. Watch:
Iran warns of predetermined 'reciprocal measure' in case of US deal breach
"In this regard, with complete distrust of the treacherous and covenant-breaking enemy, and with precise monitoring of the process of negotiations and the implementation of the agreements, should any violation or breach occur on the American side, a reciprocal measure will be taken according to the predetermined plan."
Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli troops advancing into Lebanon | Middle East Eye
Hezbollah said its fighters launched attacks on Israeli forces attempting to advance into Lebanese territory.
The group said an Israeli military unit was lured into a "kill zone", where three Merkava tanks were destroyed nearby the Ali al-Tahir area south of the country.
A second Israeli unit attempting to retrieve the first group were then targeted with a rocket barrage and mortar shells.