Iran-US ceasefire MOU includes immediate Strait of Hormuz opening, in-country uranium dilution: Reuters

The United States and Iran have agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz immediately upon signing a ceasefire deal and to dilute Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium on Iranian soil, according to reports.

Citing a senior Iranian official, Reuters reported Sunday that the final draft of a ceasefire MOU between the two countries includes a provision for the immediate opening of the strait.

Under the terms, Iran has pledged to renounce nuclear weapons and open the Strait of Hormuz at once to all commercial vessels. In return, the United States agreed to lift its so-called reverse blockade — a naval cordon preventing ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports — and to unfreeze Iranian assets held abroad under international sanctions, while also suspending oil sanctions for a set period.

The frozen overseas assets to be released in exchange for the strait opening are valued at $25 billion (about 33.5 trillion won). The funds are expected to be returned through a combination of direct cash transfers, regional inter-country cooperation and the extension of credit lines.

The MOU also includes a provision allowing Iran to sell oil legally by suspending US sanctions on Iranian crude for a defined period. The two sides further agreed that no new sanctions would be imposed on Iran until a final agreement is reached.

Reuters said the United States agreed to allow Iran's highly enriched uranium to be diluted on Iranian territory — a significant concession, as Washington had previously insisted the material be shipped abroad and had ruled out friendly states such as China and Russia as potential recipients. The specific procedures and methods for diluting the uranium are to be worked out during a 60-day negotiating period.

The draft MOU also states that Iran will not manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances. Both sides agreed to maintain the status quo — with no additional uranium enrichment or expansion of nuclear facilities — until a final agreement is concluded.