Optimism around the proposed US-Iran memorandum of understanding has cooled less than 24 hours after US
By Bernard Moerdler,
Optimism around the proposed US-Iran memorandum of understanding has cooled less than 24 hours after US President Donald Trump announced the deal was "largely negotiated," with sticking points emerging over Lebanon and the release of Iranian assets.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated on Sunday that differences "over one or two clauses of the possible memorandum of understanding still persist," and that United States obstruction of key clauses, including the release of Iran's frozen assets, continues. Tasnim warned there is still a possibility the agreement could be cancelled. CNN reported, citing an Israeli official, that Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he supports Israel's wish to "maintain freedom of action against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon," even as Tasnim reported the memorandum refers to "the declaration of the end of war on all fronts, including Lebanon." The framing of Lebanon and any Israeli reservation appears to be one of the central remaining gaps.
Qatari outlet Al Jazeera quoted a well-informed Iranian source as offering a more detailed account of the breakdown points. The source, speaking to correspondent Ali Hashem, stated that the memorandum includes a Lebanon ceasefire framework but that Israel is pressing Washington to include language permitting Israeli military operations in Lebanon in response to "any threat," a formulation Iran is rejecting. According to the source, Tehran has informed all mediators, including Pakistan, that it will not sign unless every clause is fully agreed and guaranteed, and rejected a Pakistani proposal to move forward on agreed sections while postponing contentious points. BNN notes that Al Jazeera reporting on Iranian negotiating positions frequently reflects the framing of Tehran-aligned sources.
A senior United States official briefed reporters on Sunday that an agreement "will be signed in the coming days," though not today, Channel 12 reported, and that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has given "a general agreement" to the terms. The official stated that the Iranians have provided assurances, verbal and written, that any subsequent permanent deal will include the "disposal" of all enriched uranium, though no mechanism for disposal was specified. The official added the standard caveat that "nothing is done until it's done." Trump, asked about the timing on Sunday, stated the United States was "in no rush."
Topics: Iran, Lebanon & Hezbollah, Israeli Politics
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.