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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

U.S. and Iran at Odds Over MOU Details, Seeking Diplomatic Detours

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The U.S. and Iran are reportedly pursuing different interpretations of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at ending hostilities.
  • Key points of contention include control of the Strait of Hormuz, uranium enrichment, and the release of frozen assets.
  • Despite conflicting claims, both sides may seek alternative diplomatic paths, referencing past prisoner exchanges as a precedent.

The United States and Iran are reportedly at odds over the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) intended to de-escalate tensions, with each side presenting conflicting claims on core issues. Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, reported on an unofficial "Islamabad MOU" draft, stating that the U.S. agreed to lift maritime blockades in exchange for Iran restoring commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month. However, Iran maintains its right to manage shipping lanes and conduct inspections in cooperation with Oman, framing it as a service fee rather than a toll.

The Strait of Hormuz is international waters, and no one can control it.

— Donald TrumpU.S. President, responding to a question about Iran and Oman sharing control of the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. President Donald Trump, however, refuted Iran's claims regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting it is international waters and cannot be controlled by any single nation. He also dismissed Iran's assertions about sanctions relief in exchange for abandoning high-enriched uranium, stating, "There is no sanctions relief." Trump insisted that Iran would give up its enriched uranium, but not as a concession for sanctions relief, linking asset release to the uranium issue.

Conversely, Iran claims it expects the return of some frozen assets simultaneously with the MOU's signing, with a portion to be released immediately and the remainder within 60 days. Iran also reportedly included a demand for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East region in the MOU draft, though the specifics of troop withdrawal remain subject to further negotiation.

There is no sanctions relief. They will give up high-enriched uranium, but not as a concession for sanctions relief.

— Donald TrumpU.S. President, clarifying the terms of the negotiation regarding uranium enrichment and sanctions.

The White House has labeled Iran's state broadcaster's report as "fabricated" and the alleged MOU as "completely fabricated." Despite the public disagreements, analysts suggest that diplomatic avenues may still exist. A precedent for indirect cooperation was set in 2023 when the U.S. and Iran exchanged prisoners, allowing Iran indirect access to frozen funds through a Qatari intermediary for humanitarian goods.

The reports from media controlled by Iran are not true, and the MOU they released is completely fabricated.

— White HouseResponding to Iran's state broadcaster's report on the MOU.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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