The $300bn investment included in Iran-US understanding framework, Ghalibaf says

The clarifications came after the text of the 14-point memorandum finally emerged on Wednesday, triggering a wave of reactions, competing interpretations and political criticism in both Tehran and Washington.

Speaking on a background call after the text was made public, the officials said the agreement does not commit Washington to any immediate economic concessions, but instead creates a framework under which incentives would be tied to Iranian compliance and progress toward a final deal.

The comments appeared aimed at countering interpretations in Iranian media that the memorandum would unlock large-scale financial benefits for Tehran before a comprehensive agreement is reached.

Addressing a provision in the MoU to create a reconstruction and economic development plan worth at least $300 billion, the officials said the language does not require the United States to contribute funds or provide direct financial assistance to Iran.

Instead, they said the provision would allow sanctions relief in the future if Iran fulfills its commitments, enabling third countries and private investors to participate in projects inside Iran.

The officials also stressed that any sanctions relief would be linked directly to progress on nuclear issues, meaning Tehran would only receive economic benefits in exchange for verifiable nuclear concessions, including the disposal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Frozen assets

The administration offered its strongest clarification on the issue of frozen Iranian assets.

Iran had originally sought access to restricted funds immediately upon signing the memorandum, according to the officials, but the final text tied any release of assets to implementation of the agreement and progress toward a broader settlement.

The officials said Iran ultimately accepted that no funds would be released automatically upon signing the MoU and that access to frozen assets would depend on what they described as demonstrable good behavior and compliance with the framework.

Some frozen assets could be released during the negotiation period, they added, if Iran takes concrete steps demanded by Washington, including actions related to its nuclear program.

Strait of Hormuz

The officials also downplayed broader interpretations of the memorandum's provisions on the Strait of Hormuz, saying the relevant sections are focused on reopening the waterway and ensuring the free flow of commercial shipping.

They said the agreement is intended to restore navigation through the strait rather than establish a wider security framework for the Persian Gulf.

The officials said they beleieve regional countries would never agree to an arrangement that doesn't permit toll-free access to the Strait of Hormuz.

Miltary assets

The officials further indicated that the United States does not plan to immediately reduce its military posture in the region following the signing of the memorandum. Any future adjustments, they said, would depend on Iranian compliance and progress toward a broader agreement.

They also described direct communication channels established during the conflict between US forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as one of the factors that made the negotiations easier.

According to the officials, those channels reduced the risk of misunderstandings and allowed messages to be exchanged more quickly during both the fighting and subsequent diplomatic efforts.

Officials also rejected suggestions that the memorandum excludes nuclear issues, noting that the text explicitly commits both sides to negotiations over Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and broader nuclear activities.

The memorandum follows weeks of diplomacy led by regional mediators, particularly Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at ending a conflict that began on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

The framework is intended to halt the fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and create a pathway toward a broader agreement.

The memorandum is expected to be formally signed later this week, after which negotiators will begin work on a final agreement envisioned under the framework.

Hardline outlet Rajanews said on Wednesday that the future of Iran’s frozen funds and restricted assets remains unclear under the newly released agreement, adding that news about the immediate release of a portion of blocked resources are not reflected in the text.

“Access to Iranian funds appears dependent on further Iran-US discussions, with no clear definition of how or whether the resources will be made directly available to Tehran,” it said.

“In addition, there is no clear definition of ‘Iran’s access to resources,’ and it is unclear whether these resources will be placed at Iran’s disposal or whether their expenditure will be limited to specific cases approved by the United States. The importance of this issue becomes even greater given that Trump and Vance have explicitly stated that no money will be directly placed at Iran’s disposal,” the post said on X.

Hardline influencer Ehsan Hosseini said on Wednesday that according to the text of MoU, Iran only secured a temporary easing of a maritime blockade, arguing that the measure had been introduced during the negotiations and presented as a concession.

"According to the text of the agreement, the only concession Iran has received from America is the temporary lifting of the naval blockade. Interestingly, this very blockade was imposed against Iran during the negotiation period and then sold to us as a concession. In other words, in the negotiations, we burned a field achievement in closing Strait of Hormuz," he posted on X.

Iranian hardline figure Jalal Rashidikoochi criticized opponents of the newly released Iran-US understanding on Wednesday, challenging them to identify provisions that allegedly undermined Iran's sovereignty or national interests.

"Gentlemen with lofty claims, exactly which part of this text makes us a colony of America? You foul-mouthed gentlemen, which clause of this memorandum was contrary to the country's interests that you accused the men of the battlefield and diplomacy of spying?" he posted on X.

"Shame on you for thus, out of political grudges and vendettas, gambling away national security and paving the way for insults and vulgarity born of distrust toward the authority. You have become the disgraced ones of history, and I hope the judiciary and security institutions, by dealing with this group properly and correctly, will show that they do not act with double standards in their dealings," Rashidikoochi added.

Iranian political activist Motahare Goonei on Wednesday mocked the newly announced understanding between Tehran and Washington, saying it was contradictory for authorities to maintain a heavy security presence and suppress dissent for months only to ultimately reach an agreement with the United States. She characterized the move as a capitulation made under pressure.

"Imagine you've spent a hundred and ten days turning the streets into a military zone with machine guns and Kalashnikovs, your leader's barely in the ground, not even a single voice message or video clip from the commander you pledged allegiance to gets released; then you surrender with a slap on the wrist and strike a deal with the "Great Satan"! she posted on X.