Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the emerging memorandum of understanding with the United States will explicitly include a declaration ending the war and a full ceasefire on all fronts, especially in Lebanon. He added that the lifting of the siege is part of the MoU, as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement comes amid competing claims over the status of the negotiations — Iran portrays a precise and nearly finalized framework, while Israeli sources maintain that significant gaps remain. The same thread of Araghchi's statements was previously reported by The Zioneer at 22:15, in which he declared victory and hinted at possible changes to the agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued two statements Thursday evening (22:18 Jerusalem) detailing what Tehran expects from the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reportedly nearing signature between Iran and the United States. In the first message, Araghchi said the MoU will explicitly include a declaration ending the war and a full ceasefire on all fronts, with special emphasis on Lebanon. In the second, he added that the lifting of the siege is part of the agreement, as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The statements follow a series of overlapping and sometimes contradictory reports. At 22:15, The Zioneer published a bulletin in which Araghchi declared Iran the victor in the war and hinted the MoU has not yet been signed and may face changes. Earlier Thursday (15:56), Reuters reported that Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf are expected to attend the signing, and that Tehran is still seeking to include an end to hostilities in Lebanon.
Araghchi's latest remarks appear more specific about the MoU's scope than previous declarations. They align with a larger Iranian narrative — reported by The Zioneer in several earlier bulletins — in which Tehran portrays the negotiations as yielding a precise framework that includes an end to the war in Lebanon, while insisting the United States will compel Israel to comply. Israeli sources have not confirmed this assessment and have described the gaps as significant.
The mention of the Strait of Hormuz marks a significant escalation of demand: a reopening of the strategic waterway would represent a major concession by Iran, which has used threats of closure as leverage during the conflict. It is unclear whether this represents a firm Iranian demand in the negotiations or rhetorical positioning. The 'siege' Araghchi referenced likely refers to maritime and economic restrictions Iran has faced during the hostilities.
The MoU's final text and timeline remain unconfirmed. No official Israeli or American source has publicly described the document's contents. The Zioneer will continue tracking developments.
4 developments
- StrongAraghchi says Lebanon war end inseparable from Iran's, demands full Israeli withdrawal
- StrongIran's Araghchi vows armed forces will retaliate against any attack
- StrongIran says it has proven it does not abandon friends, cites Lebanon commitment in MoU
- DevelopingIran's Araghchi: no deal will satisfy one side 100%
Source and signal
- Internal intake