As the United States and Iran move towards ending months of conflict in West Asia, new details have emerged about the framework peace agreement, including a reported clause that could allow Iran to charge maritime service fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran's Fars news agency, citing an informed source, Tehran inserted the clause into the memorandum of understanding shortly before the agreement was announced.
"In the final moments of the negotiations, the text of the memorandum of understanding was amended to clearly and explicitly emphasise the issue of the Iranian-Omani sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz," the report stated.
The source further claimed that the use of the term "maritime services" implies that the United States has accepted that fees would be paid to Iran for services related to navigation through the strategic waterway.
The development comes after the United States and Iran announced an interim peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and paving the way for further negotiations.
The reported framework includes 14 key provisions covering military de-escalation, sanctions relief, maritime security, economic reconstruction and future nuclear negotiations.
Key provisions of the US-Iran framework agreement
Immediate ceasefire and end of hostilities
- Permanent and immediate termination of military operations across all active fronts, including Lebanon.
- US commitment to respect Iran's sovereignty and refrain from interference in its internal affairs.
Maritime security and de-escalation
- Complete lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports within 30 days.
- Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under Iranian operational arrangements.
- Withdrawal of US military forces from areas surrounding Iran.
Sanctions relief and financial measures
- Suspension of US sanctions on Iranian oil, petrochemical products and related energy exports.
- Restoration of Iran's access to foreign financial resources and energy revenues.
- Release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the negotiation period.
- Unlocking of $12 billion of those assets before formal negotiations begin.
Reconstruction and economic commitments
- US and allied countries to present infrastructure and reconstruction plans worth at least $300 billion for Iran.
Nuclear negotiations and diplomatic roadmap
- Reaffirmation of Iran's commitment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) not to pursue nuclear weapons.
- A 60-day diplomatic window to negotiate a final agreement covering Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and pending UN and IAEA issues.
- A freeze clause preventing the US from imposing new sanctions or deploying additional military forces during the 60-day negotiation period.
- Creation of an international supervisory mechanism to monitor compliance with the agreement by both sides.
The agreement, reportedly facilitated through international mediation efforts, is expected to be formally signed later this week. If implemented, it could mark a major step towards restoring stability in the region, reopening one of the world's most important energy corridors and reducing pressure on global oil markets.
