As the world anxiously waits for details of the peace agreement that will be signed by the US and Iran on Friday, CNN has revealed that the text of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) does not explicitly
mention the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a copy of the MoU that CNN obtained from a US official, the text states that vessel traffic between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman will return to pre-war levels within 30 days, but it never addresses the future status of the strategic oil and gas chokepoint directly.
The text states that maritime traffic will return to pre-war levels “on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” wording that leaves the future status of the strait open to interpretation, CNN reported.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is seen as a significant element of the framework, given the waterway’s importance to global energy supplies and international shipping.
CNN’s report comes even as US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday gave some details of the agreement.
“The Iran deal: It says, one, Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon; two, the Straits of Hormuz are open; and number three, there are all of these benefits contemplated that the Iranians can get if they behave,” he said, speaking to Fox News. “If they don’t [behave], they don’t get anything.”
CNN has also listed what the deal includes and what has been omitted.
Here’s what the deal includes:
- Ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.
- Iran’s pledge to never obtain a nuclear weapon.
- US commits to issue sanctions waivers on Iran’s energy exports immediately.
- US to lift naval blockade of Iran immediately.
- Regional ship traffic to return to pre-war levels within 30 days.
- US commitment to eventually lift all sanctions against Iran.
What it doesn’t include:
Iran’s nuclear programme: According to CNN, the fate of Iran’s nuclear programme and its near weapons-grade uranium has been relegated to future negotiations, despite Trump administration officials saying the agreement would include provisions to dismantle the nuclear programme. The document reportedly states that Iran will maintain “the status quo” of the nuclear programme.
Proxy groups and missiles: CNN stated that the document makes no mention of Iran’s support for regional militant groups that have attacked US allies in West Asia or the ballistic missiles it fired at its neighbours, despite US officials claiming otherwise ahead of the agreement.
