China urges US, Iran to maintain ‘momentum of de-escalation’
Centreline Report
TEHRAN: Tehran says it has agreed on a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) framework with Washington aimed at ending the war and easing regional tensions, while stressing that a final deal is not imminent and key issues remain under negotiation.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said talks have produced a framework MoU focused on halting hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and addressing U.S. maritime actions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. He emphasized that while many topics have seen progress, the sides still need 30–60 days after any MoU is signed to hammer out details into a final agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump said an agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is “largely negotiated,” though he acknowledged final details are still being discussed. Regional mediators, led by Pakistan, say the path forward includes declaring an end to the war, reopening the strait, and time-bound talks on broader issues.
Reporting indicates the MoU envisions staged steps: stabilizing the ceasefire, resolving navigation and toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and opening a short negotiation window for a broader peace arrangement. Iranian outlets and analysts note the framework signals willingness to de-escalate without major immediate concessions from either side.
Points of contention persist. U.S. officials have floated expectations around Iran’s highly enriched uranium and long-term enrichment limits, while Iranian officials say nuclear issues are not part of the current stage and insist sanctions relief and halting U.S. attacks are core demands. Several accounts describe a 30- to 60-day period post-MoU to negotiate sanctions relief, Strait procedures, and potentially nuclear matters.
Mediation by Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir has intensified, with both sides signaling “narrowing differences,” but cautioning that last-minute disputes could derail progress. Market watchers note oil prices remain elevated amid uncertainty over the strait’s reopening timeline.
Quote: “[Iran] has reached conclusions on many topics but that does not mean we’re close to signing an agreement,” an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said, underscoring that despite the 14-point framework, a final accord requires further negotiation and verification steps
