U.S.-Iran Remote Signing of a Memorandum! The 60-day Negotiation Window Opens, and the Hormuz Strait Management Mechanism Emerges in Tandem

A Historic Breakthrough in U.S.-Iran Relations. On the 17th, the United States and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) remotely via electronic means, and the 60-day nuclear negotiation window officially opened. At the same time, Iran and Oman have basically finalized a mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz, with plans to levy service fees on vessels transiting the strait. This 14-point memorandum’s full English text is fewer than 800 words. Iran commits not to develop nuclear weapons and to dilute enriched uranium under the supervision of the IAEA, with details to be negotiated later.
(Background: Axios: U.S.-Iran plan to “advance signing” of the ceasefire memorandum to Wednesday; the Strait of Hormuz could be unblocked immediately)
(Additional background: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister slaps Trump down: It will never hand enriched uranium to the U.S.)

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• 14-Point Memorandum: A Framework Agreement Under 800 Words
• Simultaneous Advancement of the Strait of Hormuz Management Mechanism
• Negotiation Agenda: Nuclear Enrichment, Sanctions Relief, and Regional Security

A historic turning point has arrived in U.S.-Iran relations. The U.S. and Iran have already completed the electronic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) remotely on the 17th U.S. Eastern Time; U.S. President Trump personally signed the document, effective immediately. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei (Esmaeil Baghaei) announced that, starting from the MOU’s effectiveness, a 60-day negotiation window will open, during which both sides will conduct formal talks on nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions.

14-Point Memorandum: A Framework Agreement Under 800 Words

According to the memorandum text obtained by CNN, the full English version of this 14-point MOU is under 800 words, preserving many details for later supplementation, while the most sensitive issues related to Iran’s nuclear program are addressed only at the level of principle. In the text, Iran reiterates that it will not obtain or develop nuclear weapons; the two sides agree that, under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision, Iran’s enriched uranium will be diluted on site.

Although the nuclear issue is covered only in limited depth, the memorandum makes concrete commitments on the economic front—by removing sanctions on Iran, Tehran can not only restore oil exports, but may also recover tens of billions of dollars in frozen assets, and receive financing support of about $300 billion. The Trump administration tends to handle international conflicts with a “multi-point agreement” approach: the previously terminated Gaza ceasefire agreement was a 20-point plan, and the failed Russia-Ukraine ceasefire proposal is a 28-point plan.

Simultaneous Advancement of the Strait of Hormuz Management Mechanism

Another major development came through on the same day. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, on the 18th, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said that Iran has basically finalized a mechanism with Oman for managing the Strait of Hormuz. It will charge service fees for ships transiting through the strait, and the related arrangements are being drafted. This move echoes the position stated earlier by Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Arif, namely that “Iran will retain control over the Strait of Hormuz,” meaning that vessels using this strategic waterway should pay fees for the security assurances provided by Iran.

In fact, the right to control the Strait of Hormuz has long been one of the core bargaining chips in U.S.-Iran negotiations. During its standoff with the U.S., Iran has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to blockade the strait—from laying mines to fast-boat raids. U.S. intelligence assessments believe Tehran still has the capacity to shut the strait again. Under the terms of the memorandum, Iranian media have indicated that “free passage through the strait” applies only during the 60-day negotiation window, implying that the fee mechanism will be officially put into operation after the transition period ends.

Negotiation Agenda: Nuclear Enrichment, Sanctions Relief, and Regional Security

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei also further disclosed the negotiation timetable: the U.S. must end the maritime blockade against Iran within 30 days. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the two sides have agreed to restore normalization of maritime traffic within a specified period. He also warned that if Israel continues to occupy Lebanon, it will be considered a violation of the memorandum, and Iran will take necessary measures in response.

Looking back at the entire negotiation process, U.S.-Iran talks have gone through multiple rounds of back-and-forth since the formal negotiations began in April this year. Iran previously clearly rejected the U.S. demand for “zero enrichment”—as early as April, Deputy Foreign Minister Khatibzadeh stated that it would never hand enriched uranium to the U.S. Now, the memorandum requires only on-site dilution under IAEA supervision rather than transferring stockpiles, indicating that both sides are making concessions on their positions. With the 60-day negotiation window opening, global markets are closely watching this under-800-word framework agreement—whether it can fill the final missing piece in nuclear non-proliferation and Middle East security will also influence the direction of international oil prices.