Mediators Push to Revive U.S.-Iran MOU Amid Middle East Tensions

▲ Strait of Hormuz

As the United States and Iran continue their armed conflict for the third consecutive day, mediators including Qatar and Pakistan are reportedly working to revive the previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and resume nuclear negotiations.

The U.S. online media outlet Axios reported, citing sources, that officials from Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia held multiple phone consultations with both the U.S. and Iran on July 9 (local time) to de-escalate tensions.

One official involved in the mediation stated, "Extensive diplomatic efforts are underway to first reach an agreement on de-escalation between the two sides, and then to schedule the next round of talks between working-level teams."

Mediators reportedly believe that despite the recent reignition of armed conflict, the two sides have made significant progress toward a nuclear agreement in previous negotiations, and therefore, the collapse of the MOU must be prevented.

A Middle East source involved in the mediation also noted that the recent attack on a vessel by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz is believed to have been led by hardliners within the Iranian regime to derail the agreement.

There was also analysis suggesting that the situation had calmed down somewhat on this day, which marked the third day of the military standoff between the U.S. and Iran.

While some Iranian media outlets reported explosions in the southern region, the U.S. side confirmed that there were no new airstrikes on this day.

A U.S. official described this as "the result of de-escalation efforts."

U.S. President Donald Trump is also reported to have discussed the tensions with Iran and future response measures with his national security team on this day.

Another U.S. official stated, "Iran's attack on innocent vessels is an act of terror," adding, "The MOU is an agreement based on implementation, and Iran's actions represent an unacceptable failure of implementation."

However, the official added, "The Trump administration remains committed to finding a solution, and working-level discussions to reach a nuclear agreement are continuing."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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