US rejects several clauses in potential peace MoU with Iran

TEHERAN (ANTARA) – The United States (US) continues to reject several clauses in a potential memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran regarding the cessation of hostilities, according to semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim on Sunday (24 May). Citing its reporter’s sources, Tasnim reported that despite talks held on Sunday between the two sides, the US is blocking certain clauses in the potential peace MoU, including those concerning the unfreezing of Iran’s assets. Tasnim added that there remains a possibility the MoU could be scrapped. Iran has insisted it will not back down from its red lines in safeguarding the rights of its people. On Saturday (23 May), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told state television IRIB that Iran and the US are working to finalise an MoU to end the war. ‘At this stage, our focus is on ending the imposed war,’ Baghaei stated, adding, ‘Our goal is to first agree on an MoU comprising 14 clauses.’ He said Tehran and Washington would reach a final agreement ‘within 30 to 60 days’. Among the key issues to be addressed in the MoU are the cessation of US maritime attacks, or naval blockades as they term them, and other matters related to the unfreezing of Iran’s assets. Iran, the US, and Israel reached a ceasefire on 8 April after 40 days of fighting that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February. Following the ceasefire, Iranian and US delegations held one round of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 11 and 12 April, but failed to reach an agreement.