Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz as US Agrees to Ease Naval Presence and Sanctions
The United States and Iran have agreed in principle on a memorandum of understanding that would lift the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and begin 60 days of negotiations on sanctions and Iran's nuclear program.
Defense NewsThe United States and Iran have reached a tentative memorandum of understanding to extend an existing ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin 60 days of further negotiations on sanctions and Iran's nuclear program. S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and allow shipping through the strait to return to pre-war levels over 30 days.
Four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday that the memorandum had been agreed in principle. Iranian state media reported the same day that the text had not yet been finalized or confirmed. S.
Officials said the 60-day clock for deeper negotiations would start only after the memorandum is signed. Reopening the strait is listed as the first step in the draft memorandum. The United States has maintained a naval blockade that has redirected 115 commercial vessels away from Iranian ports as of May 29.
Iranian officials have said any reopening must include continued Iranian management of traffic through the waterway. Shipping industry sources have indicated they will wait for a sustained period of calm before resuming transits. The talks would address Iran's nuclear program, the status of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and the timing of any sanctions relief.
The memorandum itself is not expected to detail limits on uranium enrichment. Negotiators would address Iran's stockpile of more than 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium during the subsequent 60-day period. S.
Officials have stated that sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets would be tied to the reopening of the strait and progress on the nuclear file. Iranian state media reported that removal of sanctions on oil sales alone could generate nearly $10 billion in revenue over 60 days.
It remains unclear whether the memorandum will address the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian officials have said the agreement should cover an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon. Israeli forces have continued operations in southern Lebanon in recent days while Hezbollah has fired drones and rockets toward Israel. The ceasefire reached in mid-April remains in place in name only.
"We have no trust in guarantees or words—only actions are the measure. No action will be taken before the other side acts," Iran's senior negotiator said on May 29.
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- Accounts differ on whether the memorandum of understanding requires US military forces to withdraw from the vicinity of Iran.
- Cnn: Iranian state media claims the memorandum will call for US military forces to withdraw from the vicinity of Iran in tandem with the end of the blockade.
- Cnn: Trump made no mention of a withdrawal in his statements.
- Cnn reported: The 60-day negotiation period under the memorandum of understanding would address Iran’s nuclear program including the fate of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
- Defense News reported: President Donald Trump has not yet approved the deal.
- Cnn reported: Iran possesses more than 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.
- Cnn reported: Sanctions relief would be tied to progress on the nuclear file and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Defense News reported: Iran laid sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Cnn reported: The unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas would occur only once the Strait of Hormuz has reopened.
- Cnn reported: Up to $24 billion in Iranian assets could be released under the agreement.
- Cnn reported: The memorandum of understanding is expected to address the end of the war on all fronts including Lebanon.
- Cnn reported: Negotiations are affected by a continuing lack of trust between the United States and Iran.
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