Iranian Deputy FM Claims U.S. Naval Blockade Lifted, War 'Permanently Ended'

The Islamabad Memorandum

Following weeks of high-stakes regional tension, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has provided the most detailed look yet at the emerging diplomatic framework with the United States. According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' (MoU) is no longer a draft but a finalized text. The official stated that the document will be signed this coming Friday in Switzerland, marking a formal end to the kinetic confrontation that has defined the last several months. Tehran is framing this not as a compromise, but as a result of "military achievements and the steadfastness of the people."

Claims of Blockade Removal

A central pillar of the Iranian announcement is the assertion that the U.S. naval blockade, which has severely restricted Iranian maritime activity, has been lifted as of Monday morning. This claim, while not yet independently verified by U.S. Central Command or Jerusalem, is being presented by Tehran as a precondition already met. The Deputy FM further noted that a subsequent 60-day negotiation period will only commence once Iran verifies that Washington has fulfilled its commitments, which reportedly include the release of frozen Iranian assets and funds.

Regional Ceasefire and Lebanon

The declaration includes an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts. Crucially, the Iranian official explicitly named the Lebanese front as part of this termination. This follows earlier reports from the Fars news agency suggesting that Iran opted to cancel a retaliatory strike against Israel after receiving a proposal from the Trump administration that allegedly included an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. While the IDF remains in a state of high readiness, the Iranian rhetoric suggests a shift toward a diplomatic phase, even as the specific terms regarding Hezbollah's posture remain opaque.

Analysis and Outlook

From an analytical perspective, the Iranian framing serves a dual purpose: de-escalating a direct conflict with the U.S. while preserving domestic and regional prestige. By claiming they "forced" a blockade removal and an Israeli retreat, the regime seeks to justify the heavy costs of the recent conflict. However, significant gaps remain. The Zioneer Intelligence Desk notes that the 60-day negotiation window implies that many core issues—including Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile infrastructure—may not be fully resolved by Friday's signing. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the "permanent end" declared by Tehran translates into a stable reality on Israel's borders or merely a tactical pause.