US-Iran Deal: What the 14 Points Say About Lebanon, Hormuz, and Enriched Uranium

On June 17, the United States released details of a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached with Iran in Versailles, France, the same day. Although neither side has published an official text, a U.S. official read the full contents at a press briefing. Iran has not confirmed this version.

According to experts, the agreement clarifies the stance of the Trump administration but leaves many significant issues unresolved. Below are the key points.

Lebanon

The first article of the MoU states that the U.S. and Iran agree to "an immediate and permanent cessation of military activities on all fronts, including Lebanon." Both parties commit to ensuring "the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon."

However, the agreement does not mention Israel—a country currently occupying one-fifth of Lebanese territory, conducting regular airstrikes since early March that have killed at least 3,000 people and displaced more than one million.

Because the deal is solely between the U.S. and Iran, with no involvement from Israel or Hezbollah, observers question how a ceasefire in Lebanon can be enforced. Israel has repeatedly declared it will not withdraw from Lebanon. On June 16, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that his country's forces would "remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an unlimited period."

Previously, Lebanon was a key sticking point in negotiations. Tehran considered Israel halting military operations in Lebanon a prerequisite for any broader peace deal. On April 16, Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but Israel continued attacks and advances in Lebanon even as Washington and Tehran prepared to sign.

Regime Change in Iran

The second article of the MoU stipulates that the U.S. and Iran "respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and refrain from interfering in internal affairs." This suggests the Trump administration is abandoning the goal of regime change in Iran.

At the G7 summit in France this week, Trump said he had "never been interested in regime change." However, on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched their first attack on Tehran, Trump wrote on social media: "Your hour of liberation has come… When we are done, take control of your government."

Strait of Hormuz

Article 4 of the agreement states that the U.S. "will begin lifting the naval blockade" and will "fully withdraw within 30 days," along with pulling forces 30 days after a final deal.

Article 5 says Iran will "make every effort to ensure the safe, free passage of commercial vessels for 60 days from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and back." Iran will consult with Oman to determine future management mechanisms and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz was a major sticking point throughout negotiations. After U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, Iran closed the strait to shipping. In April, the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, disrupting global oil and gas supplies. Some ships paid up to $2 million each for passage permitted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Insurance premiums for vessels there skyrocketed, and many carriers refused to transit before receiving assurances that mines had been cleared.

International maritime law does not allow fees for passage through natural straits, but coastal states may charge for services such as insurance or pilotage. Nevertheless, on June 17, Iran's lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that "the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state" and that Iran would "collect service fees" from ships.

Enriched Uranium Stockpiles

Article 8 stipulates that Iran "reaffirms its commitment not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons." The U.S. and Iran "agree to address the disposition of enriched material stockpiles through a mutually agreed mechanism, with a minimum method of on-site downblending under IAEA supervision."

Iran holds approximately 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, close to the 90% needed for weaponization—far above the 3-5% required for nuclear power. The U.S. and Western nations suspect Iran is preparing the capability to produce a nuclear bomb.

The U.S. had previously demanded that Iran hand over its enriched uranium stockpile, but Tehran consistently refused. Recently, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued an order not to send uranium abroad. The above provision suggests the U.S. may have agreed to let Iran downblend its stockpile to nuclear-power levels on its own soil, rather than handing it over. Downblending is irreversible and subject to IAEA monitoring.

Notably, on February 26, two days before the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, Tehran proposed downblending uranium from 60% to 3.67% during informal talks in Geneva.

Compensation and Reconstruction

The MoU does not use the term "compensation," but Article 6 states that the U.S. "commits, together with regional partners, to develop a detailed plan to provide at least $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran," along with granting all necessary licenses and exemptions for related financial transactions.

No information is given on who will pay this sum or what conditions apply. Trump previously suggested that Gulf states could contribute and insisted that U.S. taxpayers would not foot the bill. The Gulf states—referred to as "regional partners"—have yet to comment.

Sanctions

Article 7 says the U.S. "commits to lifting all sanctions against Iran according to a timeline agreed upon in the final agreement." However, the text does not specify whether this refers only to U.S. sanctions or also includes United Nations sanctions.

Iran is among the most sanctioned countries in the world. The lifting of some secondary sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) was reversed by Trump when he withdrew the U.S. from the agreement in 2018. Billions of dollars in Iranian assets remain frozen in foreign banks, which Tehran says are needed for post-war reconstruction.