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A $300 billion ask and sanctions relief: Inside Iran's draft deal with US

Iranian media outlined a 14-point draft linking frozen funds, sanctions relief and shipping access to a broader US-Iran deal, but Tehran says no final decision has been made.

By Sarwesh Sri Bardhan

Jun 12, 2026 17:31 IST

Iranian state media on Friday disclosed new details of a proposed 14-point draft memorandum between the United States and Iran, saying the document would link the release of frozen Iranian funds with sanctions relief and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington has yet to approve or formally agree to the draft, and negotiations remain fluid due to conflicting claims from both sides.

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Sanctions relief, frozen funds and Hormuz reopening

The draft calls for the United States to lift oil sanctions, while Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.

The paper, as cited by Mehr News Agency, also says final talks would not begin until half of Iran’s blocked funds are released, Iran’s oil sanctions are suspended, and a naval embargo is lifted.

The proposal further says the United States and its allies would have to offer reconstruction plans for Iran worth at least $300 billion.

The fine print raises eyebrows

All American personnel would have to leave the country under the draft framework, though it did not say whether that demand had been accepted by Washington.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied rumors of a deal and said, “Textually, the text has almost been finalized in its major parts.” He added that “the contradictory positions of the United States have always caused turbulence and disruption” in the process.

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A flourish of confidence, but no accord

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States had “just made a great settlement of the war with Iran" and added that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once an agreement was reached.

Trump linked that outcome to the finalization of documents, while Reuters reported that the proposed memorandum could be signed as soon as Sunday in Geneva, although no final accord has been announced.

Israel, meanwhile, had not responded to the latest draft report at the time of publication.

FAQs

Q1: What does the draft Iran-US memorandum propose?

Ans: The draft proposes sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian funds, a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Q2: Has the Iran-US draft agreement been finalized?

Ans: No, the draft has not been formally approved by the United States and Iranian officials say negotiations are still ongoing.

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