TechFlow News, May 25: According to a report by The Washington Post on May 24, the United States and Iran have reached agreement on a framework for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Once signed, full resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will take place within 30 days. Citing an anonymous senior U.S. government official, the report stated that the U.S. and Iran have drafted an MoU “framework” that includes extending the ceasefire for 60 days to allow both sides to reach a “final agreement” permanently ending hostilities involving Iran; during this period, mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted and the strait will be reopened. The official added that the MoU includes a “commitment” by Iran not to acquire nuclear weapons, and that over the next two months, the U.S. and Iran will discuss the “mechanisms” for implementing this commitment. However, no agreement was signed by either side on May 24.
An anonymous diplomatic source familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that once the MoU is signed, Iran will immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and implement measures within 30 days to restore navigation to its pre-war status. Additionally, Iran, the United States, and their allies will jointly announce an immediate halt to all military operations across all fronts—including Lebanon. The report also cited an anonymous Iranian official stating that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will proceed in phases. In the first phase, the U.S. will unfreeze $12 billion in Iranian assets, mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz will commence, and the U.S. blockade will be lifted. However, the Iranian official emphasized that the MoU does not include a nuclear agreement—only a commitment to hold negotiations on nuclear issues at a later date, with further details possibly released on May 25.
