Iran’s Tasnim News Agency is reporting that a draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran would require US forces to withdraw from Iran’s vicinity within 30 days of a finalized agreement. The 14-point document, still awaiting full approval from Iranian authorities, would also mandate lifting the US naval blockade and reopening non-military shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

What the draft MoU actually says

The 14-point memorandum covers the end of active warfare and a 30-day timeline for lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports. Under the proposed terms, both Iran and Oman would be involved in managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz going forward.

Reports indicate a potential phased release of frozen Iranian assets that could total up to $24 billion. The initial phases of that release are currently under discussion, though the exact structure and timeline remain part of active negotiations.

No final approval has been granted to the MoU text by all relevant Iranian authorities. Some Iranian officials have acknowledged progress in the talks, but the document isn’t a done deal.

Negotiations have also faced interruptions tied to regional conflicts, particularly in Lebanon.

The sanctions and crypto angle

The draft MoU does not explicitly mention cryptocurrencies or blockchain-based assets. The US has maintained aggressive enforcement against Iranian-linked digital asset holdings as part of its wider sanctions regime. The OFAC sanctions list includes numerous crypto addresses tied to Iranian entities, and nothing in the reported MoU framework suggests that posture is softening.

A potential deal could ease traditional financial restrictions, with billions in frozen assets potentially being released in phases, while the digital asset enforcement apparatus remains firmly in place.

What this means for markets and investors

The $24 billion in potentially unfrozen Iranian assets is worth watching closely, as the method and speed of that release, if it happens, will matter for how markets digest it.

Skepticism from Iranian sources about whether the US will deliver meaningful sanctions relief before any agreement is finalized suggests this process could drag on.