Washington is poised to grant Iran immediate freedom to sell its oil without restrictions and has offered to lift all American and United Nations sanctions if a final nuclear agreement is reached, according to leaked copies of an interim deal. These provisions are described as major concessions that exceed the terms of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, which President Trump previously denounced as the "worst deal ever."
The accord, due for signing Friday in Switzerland, would also see Iran receive at least $300 billion for rebuilding after an intense U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign. This financial injection comes as the U.S. agrees to end a war that began less than four months ago, on February 28, which was initiated in part to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about the signing on Wednesday, stating, "You never know with deals, do you? But you're going to find out pretty soon," while also calling the accord "very strong." He further remarked from a Group of Seven summit in France, "Nobody knows what it is, but it's very strong," adding, "It's a memorandum of understanding, and if I don't like it, we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs."
The interim agreement would halt fighting before the stated U.S. aim of preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon is secured, opening a two-month period for nuclear negotiations. It aims to restore the pre-war status quo by ending hostilities and restarting U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.
A critical component of the deal is the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a passage described as crucial for global oil and natural gas, whose closure had previously triggered a historic energy crisis. The U.S. also promises to lift a blockade imposed on Iranian ports, with the strait expected to return to pre-war traffic levels within 30 days, though Iranian mines may require destruction.
The Cost of Capitulation
Granting oil waivers at the outset of the 60-day talks effectively strips the U.S. of a major point of leverage, a stark contrast to the 2015 deal where sanctions on Iran's oil were only lifted upon the overall agreement's conclusion. Iran's oil export revenues in 2024 exceeded $46 billion, with China reportedly buying at below-market prices by ignoring sanctions.
The deal further opens the door to ending all U.S. and U.N. sanctions on Iran, including those related to Tehran's weapons programs and human rights abuses, with a schedule for this to be determined later. This move signals a profound shift in policy, potentially legitimizing a regime accused of severe human rights violations and proliferation activities.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance had indicated that Gulf Arab nations would invest the $300 billion for Iran's rebuilding, but President Trump clarified on Wednesday that the U.S. would not contribute, leaving it to other countries. This arrangement shifts the financial burden and responsibility away from the U.S. while still empowering the Iranian regime.
The interim deal also includes a U.S. promise not to make threats of military action, following two rounds of talks interrupted by attacks. This commitment comes despite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reporting that Iran possesses enough highly enriched uranium to construct multiple atomic bombs.
Elite Secrecy and Globalist Mechanisms
The terms of this significant agreement have not been officially published by the White House or other American officials, who did not immediately respond to questions regarding the leaked documents. White House communications director Steven Cheung dismissed a CNN-published version online, stating it "does not reflect the language of the actual" agreement, without offering specifics.
Similarly, Iran has not released an official version, with its semiofficial Tasnim news agency, close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, claiming Bloomberg's version had missing portions without providing a full account. This lack of transparency surrounding a deal with such far-reaching implications raises questions about accountability and public oversight.
The agreement was largely matched by texts published by the Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya and Bloomberg, according to a person briefed on the memorandum of understanding and another who viewed a copy beforehand. Two other Mideast officials corroborated that these versions broadly matched the final agreement.
Pakistan has been identified as a "key mediator" in these negotiations, with its officials stating that some concessions, including the full lifting of sanctions and release of frozen assets, would occur gradually, linked to progress in nuclear talks. They confirmed the U.S. would issue waivers allowing Iran to sell oil freely during the 60-day talks.
Resistance to the Deal
This accord is expected to face intense opposition in Washington, reflecting deep concerns about its implications for national security and regional stability. It also appears to be a major setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced criticism at home from the media, his opponents, and even some allies as details have emerged.
The deal also includes an end to fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. While Israel maintains its right to self-defense and occupation of Lebanese territory, Iran insists Israel must withdraw under the deal, though leaked versions make no mention of such withdrawal, highlighting potential future conflicts.