Tehran describes memorandum as path to formalising battlefield gains
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy with the United States is intended to consolidate what he described as Iran’s victory in the recent conflict, outlining a proposed memorandum of understanding that he said was nearing completion.
“Iran has been the winner of this war, and the people of Iran are the true winners of this arena,” Araghchi said in a televised interview, adding that “after such a victory, it is necessary to consolidate it through an agreement or understanding”.
He said the proposed 14-point memorandum remained subject to revision and final approval.
Araghchi said the process would take place in two phases, with an initial memorandum followed by negotiations on a final agreement.
He said issues including uranium enrichment and sanctions relief had been deferred to later talks, while frozen Iranian assets could be released upon signing the memorandum.
Stressing Lebanon's place in the negotiations, he said, “We never forgot Lebanon in this war,” and described Iran’s response to Israeli actions there as “another strategic achievement”.
He added that the proposed framework would end hostilities across all fronts and demonstrate that Iran “is not joking, and that, if necessary, it is not only unafraid of war, but will also employ it wherever it is needed.”