Islamabad memorandum: Iran says draft pact with US would lift naval blockade and restore Strait of Hormuz traffic
Iranian state TV outlines draft Islamabad memorandum with the US to end the US naval blockade and restore Strait of Hormuz shipping within one month.
Iranian state television on Wednesday released details of a draft Islamabad memorandum that would see the United States lift its naval blockade on Iran and allow maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to return to pre-conflict levels within a month.
State media said the draft envisions that, if a final agreement is reached within 60 days, the pact would be ratified and converted into a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
Tehran cautioned, however, that the framework is not yet complete and that it will not implement measures until it receives tangible verification of reciprocal commitments.
Draft Islamabad memorandum outlines maritime concessions
Iranian state TV described key provisions of the Islamabad memorandum as focused primarily on maritime arrangements and the immediate reopening of commercial sea lanes.
The draft reportedly calls for the removal of the US-imposed naval restrictions that have constrained Iranian-flagged and regional shipping, with a promise to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to levels seen before recent hostilities.
Implementation timetable and proposed UN conversion
According to the broadcast, the memorandum includes a clear timetable — a one-month restoration of maritime traffic after measures begin and a 60-day window to finalize a full agreement.
If both parties reach a final accord within that 60-day window, state television said the intention is to formalise the pact and seek its adoption as a binding decision by the UN Security Council.
Tehran demands tangible verification before action
Iranian officials emphasized that the memorandum remains an unfinished framework and that Tehran will require demonstrable verification before taking practical steps.
State media quoted authorities as saying Iran will not begin to implement the draft’s provisions without clear, on-the-ground proof that the other side has met its obligations, signalling a cautious stance conditioned on enforceable checks.
Potential impact on Gulf shipping and energy routes
Restoring unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz would have immediate implications for regional and global maritime traffic, given the waterway’s role in energy and commercial exports.
A credible, enforceable agreement could reduce shipping insurance costs, lower transit delays and temper market anxieties tied to disruptions in one of the world’s busiest chokepoints.
Diplomatic and operational hurdles ahead
Despite the draft’s provisions, substantial obstacles remain before any durable settlement can be implemented.
Verification mechanisms, the precise legal form of obligations, and the mechanics of converting a bilateral understanding into a Security Council resolution will require detailed negotiation and broad diplomatic buy-in.
Uncertainties around enforcement and international support
Converting an Iran–US memorandum into a binding UN resolution would depend on consensus within the Security Council and on practical enforcement arrangements.
Differences among council members and domestic political considerations in Washington could affect both the timing and the strength of any international mandate emerging from the draft Islamabad memorandum.
The draft announced by Iranian state television marks a notable diplomatic opening, but officials’ insistence on tangible verification reflects deep mistrust and the complexity of translating a media report into an operational agreement.
As the 60-day window described by Tehran begins to take shape, regional governments, shipping firms and international organisations will be watching closely for firm text, verification protocols and signs that reciprocal steps are being taken on the ground.
