U.S. Release $25 Billion to Iran Before Final Nuclear Deal Is Signed
A leaked draft MOU shows the U.S. will release $25 billion in frozen assets to Iran before a final nuclear deal, while Tehran retains enough uranium for 11 warheads.
A final draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran contains terms that are likely to alarm Jerusalem, including a U.S. commitment to release $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets before a comprehensive nuclear agreement is reached, according to a Reuters report citing a senior Iranian official Sunday.
President Trump announced Saturday that the deal would be signed Sunday, though Iran subsequently signaled it had not yet made a final decision, saying it was still reviewing political, legal, and technical aspects of the agreement. Neither government has officially confirmed a final text.
According to the reported draft, the U.S. agreed to release $25 billion of Iran's frozen assets, including via direct cash transfers, cooperation among regional countries, and financial credit lines.
Critically, the funds would flow to Tehran while Iran still holds enough enriched uranium for an estimated 11 nuclear warheads. The release does not appear to be contingent on reaching a final nuclear agreement.
The text reportedly stipulates that Iran would immediately open the Strait of Hormuz while the United States in parallel would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Washington would also impose no new sanctions until a final deal is reached, and waive oil sanctions that it has imposed on Tehran.
On the nuclear side, Tehran agreed that it will neither produce nor acquire nuclear weapons, a commitment Iran previously made to President Barack Obama nearly a decade ago under the 2015 JCPOA. Iran would freeze its nuclear program at current levels and refrain from expanding facilities or further enriching uranium until a final deal is concluded within 60 days.
In a significant departure from earlier U.S. positions, the draft would allow Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium on Iranian soil rather than shipping it out of the country, through mechanisms to be negotiated in the coming 60 days.
The U.S. also committed to preparing an economic reconstruction and development plan for Iran alongside regional partners, with details to be finalized during the same 60-day window.
Iran indicated it had still not made a final decision on signing, despite Trump's announcement the night before. According to Iran's Fars news agency, discussions were still ongoing among experts and decision-makers.
The reported terms come as Israel struck Beirut's Dahiyeh district Sunday morning, drawing a public rebuke from Trump and threatening to complicate the final push toward a signature.