Islamabad MoU

IT is now official that the initial deal between the United States and Iran has electronically been signed by President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian and endorsed by Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif as a mediator. It has been titled as “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” in recognition of the role played by Pakistani leadership in facilitating the historic accord and contains 14-point, the implementation of which began immediately after the remote signing. The United States on Wednesday released the official text of the MoU, which spells out provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing certain financial restrictions on Iran and sets out expectations for addressing Iran’s nuclear programme during future technical talks. A senior US official explained the modus operandi for implementation of the MoU when he said it “allows us to open the Strait of Hormuz immediately, commit the Iranians to destroying the nuclear dust and then gives us a dial where if the Iranians dial up their good behaviour, we respond by dialing up the kind of economic and sanctions relief that can make them a more prosperous country”. In fact, implementation of the priority provisions like a permanent end to military hostilities, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of naval blockade of Iran by the United States has already begun with the exception of foul play by Israel in Lebanon. A minute study of the provisions reveals, public posturing notwithstanding, the US conceded much and also received encouraging assurances from Iran vis-à-vis its nuclear programme and the stockpile of enriched Uranium. Iran has undertaken not to procure or develop nuclear weapons and contrary to initial demands of the United States the stockpiled Uranium will be down-blended under supervision of the IAEA. Most importantly, Iran’s right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes has been acknowledged. Non-inclusion of Iranian missile programme in the MoU