Iranians cautiously optimistic about thorny deal with US

Tehran, Iran – The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States has survived its first few rocky days, producing a roadmap to a potential long-term resolution of the war launched by the US and Israel nearly four months ago. Months of tough political and technical discussions still lie ahead, however, and while Iranians are watching closely, optimism remains checked . Recommended Stories list of 4 items end of list “We got from daily bombing to talking about buying corn from the US,” Ehsan, who lives in central Tehran, told Al Jazeera. “So, that’s a good change, but our quality of life is still getting worse by the day.” He was referring to news that Iran will be able to buy humanitarian goods, including food and medicine, by using some of its own funds frozen abroad that are ostensibly to be released as part of the agreement. Iran’s central bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said in a video message on Tuesday that Tehran could buy corn and wheat and other agricultural products from the US if their price and quality are agreeable, but the text of the agreement does not oblige it to do so. The US Treasury has also issued a general licence as part of the MoU that authorises the production, delivery and sale of crude oil, petrochemical products and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21. Payments owed to Iran for these purchases may be made in US dollar-denominated funds. …