The 13 independent experts welcomed the signing of the memorandum but said the framework places primary emphasis on military withdrawal, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear commitments, sanctions relief and a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund.

In a joint statement, the experts said the Iranian population, which has endured both wartime destruction and domestic repression, remains largely absent from the agreement’s provisions.

The warning comes after months of conflict that caused extensive damage across Iran, with infrastructure including hospitals, schools and religious sites reportedly affected by military strikes.

The experts said the humanitarian situation had been deteriorating even before the outbreak of hostilities, citing ongoing crackdowns on anti-government dissent and challenges linked to the presence of large Afghan refugee populations.

According to the statement, Iranian authorities have intensified actions against perceived opposition since the conflict began in late February. The experts alleged that thousands of people had been detained and reported cases involving torture, enforced disappearances, mock executions and coerced confessions.

The group, which includes UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran Mai Sato, said at least 156 executions had been carried out since the start of the conflict.

They also expressed concern over reports that at least 42 individuals were executed on espionage-related charges, alleging that convictions relied on confessions obtained under torture. Access to legal representation for many detainees remains restricted, the experts said.

The statement further highlighted the seizure of assets belonging to approximately 1,500 Iranians and said extensive internet restrictions imposed during the conflict had disrupted businesses, limited communications and contributed to worsening economic conditions.

The experts noted that unemployment had risen sharply while inflation had reached 115 percent, adding to the economic burden faced by households.

While welcoming the proposed reconstruction fund, the group stressed that assistance should directly benefit civilians and support long-term social and economic recovery.

“A deal that serves geopolitical interests while leaving the Iranian people behind is not a peace agreement worthy of the name,” the experts said.

They argued that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz merely restores pre-conflict conditions and should not be viewed as the sole measure of success in peace negotiations.

The experts called for provisions including a moratorium on executions of political prisoners, the release of individuals held without charge and broader protections for civil and political rights.

They also urged negotiators to ensure that the views of Iranian citizens are reflected in any final settlement intended to shape the country’s future.

Valizadeh, a former journalist with the U.S.-funded Persian-language broadcaster Radio Farda, was convicted on charges of collaborating with a hostile government, according to his lawyer.

In a voice recording obtained by CBS News, Valizadeh said he and three other U.S. citizens held in Evin prison were suffering from illnesses and lacked access to proper medical treatment.

“While the four of us are suffering from various diseases and are deprived from real medical services, the U.S. government could have at least demanded real medical services for us,” Valizadeh said in the recording.

AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the message. CBS reported that the recording was made recently after Iranian authorities eased wartime communication restrictions.

Valizadeh’s lawyer, Ryan Fayhee, told CBS that his client suffers from persistent coughing, back pain and dental problems. Fayhee said Valizadeh had also survived an Israeli strike that damaged parts of Evin prison last year.

The appeal comes as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations following the conflict that began after U.S. military action against Iran in February.

Human rights organizations have long criticized conditions in Iranian prisons, citing overcrowding and limited access to food, medicine and healthcare.

The United States said in 2024 it was aware of Valizadeh’s detention and called on Iran to release him.

The U.S. State Department said on Friday it was taking action to dismantle what it described as a sophisticated network that used deception and intermediary companies to obtain advanced equipment for Iran’s defense sector in violation of American sanctions.

According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the network allegedly defrauded dozens of U.S. technology firms and secured millions of dollars’ worth of equipment, including spectrum analyzers and security detection devices with potential military applications.

U.S. officials said the operation relied on fraudulent websites designed to resemble legitimate American companies. The network allegedly used intermediaries in Dubai to receive shipments before transferring the equipment to Iran, circumventing existing sanctions restrictions.

The State Department identified Ali Majd Sepehr as the individual leading the network. Officials did not disclose the names of the affected American companies or provide details on the quantity of technology allegedly transferred.

The sanctions announcement comes as Washington increases efforts to disrupt financial and logistical channels linked to Iran’s military establishment. On Thursday, the State Department offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated branches.

The move also coincides with high-stakes diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict that began earlier this year. The White House said on Friday that President Donald Trump would approve an agreement only if it fully satisfies U.S. requirements, underscoring uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.

The latest sanctions signal that the United States intends to maintain economic and legal pressure on Iran’s defense procurement networks even as diplomatic efforts continue.

The reported agreement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent exchanges of air strikes and renewed concerns over regional stability and shipping security in the Gulf. According to the Axios report, the proposed understanding would temporarily preserve the ceasefire framework while opening a diplomatic channel focused on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Neither the White House nor Iranian authorities immediately issued public confirmation of the reported arrangement. The U.S. State Department also did not publicly comment on the Axios report.
The development follows remarks by Trump earlier this week indicating dissatisfaction with the pace and scope of negotiations involving Iran.

It also comes after reports of intensified military exchanges between the two countries, underscoring the fragile security environment surrounding any prospective diplomatic process.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was photographed alongside Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, as the administration continued deliberations over Middle East policy and Iran strategy.

Any agreement to reopen structured nuclear negotiations would mark the most significant diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran in years. Previous talks aimed at reviving limits on Iran’s nuclear program had stalled amid disputes over sanctions relief, uranium enrichment levels and regional security guarantees.

Financial markets and regional governments have closely monitored developments involving Iran because of their potential implications for global oil supply routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for energy exports.

The Axios report said Trump’s final decision remained pending as administration officials reviewed the terms of the proposed understanding.

During a telephone conversation, Motegi stressed the importance of preserving the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and concluding an agreement swiftly, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry. He also reiterated Japan’s support for ongoing U.S.-Iran dialogue and said Tokyo would continue coordinating with Qatar and the broader international community.

The talks came at a sensitive moment in regional diplomacy following reports that the United States and Iran had reached a preliminary understanding on extending a ceasefire and launching negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, pending final approval from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Motegi described the discussion with Sheikh Mohammed as timely given the critical stage of U.S.-Iran relations and praised Qatar’s mediation role in regional diplomacy.

Both ministers emphasized the strategic importance of ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital energy shipping lanes. Concerns over maritime security in the Gulf have intensified in recent weeks amid military tensions involving Iran and the United States.

Motegi also underscored the long-standing energy partnership between Japan and Qatar, requesting continued cooperation to maintain stable energy supplies for Japan, which remains heavily dependent on imported liquefied natural gas and crude oil from the Middle East.
The Japanese minister additionally conveyed condolences over the death of former Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, crediting him with playing a major role in developing Qatar’s liquefied natural gas industry and strengthening bilateral ties.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to diplomacy and dialogue as the preferred means of resolving regional disputes, according to statements released after the call. He said Doha would continue working with Tokyo to ease tensions and contribute to stability around the Strait of Hormuz.

The Qatari prime minister also expressed support for expanding bilateral cooperation with Japan, particularly in the energy sector, as both countries pledged continued coordination aimed at promoting long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.

The report said Iran’s leadership has imposed strict security measures following U.S. and Israeli military operations that intelligence officials believe exposed vulnerabilities within the country’s command structure and contributed to the deaths of several senior Iranian figures.

According to CBS, Iranian officials authorized to engage with Washington have faced difficulties communicating within their own leadership system, with proposals transmitted to Tehran taking extended periods to receive responses.

U.S. officials cited by the broadcaster said messages intended for the supreme leader are relayed through intermediaries before guidance is returned, slowing decision-making at a sensitive stage in diplomatic contacts between Tehran and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The report said many senior Iranian officials are spending extended periods in fortified facilities and limiting direct communications as part of broader efforts to reduce exposure to potential attacks.

CBS reported that even some high-ranking officials either do not know Khamenei’s precise location or lack direct access to him. Communications are said to be handled through trusted couriers whose role is to shield information about his whereabouts.

According to the report, Khamenei is providing broad direction on issues that can be discussed in negotiations while identifying matters that remain outside the scope of talks.

The security measures have emerged as diplomatic efforts continue to explore a possible framework for easing tensions between Washington and Tehran following weeks of conflict and heightened regional instability.

CBS reported that Khamenei has not made a public appearance since before the outbreak of the war, underscoring the extent of the security precautions surrounding Iran’s leadership.

During a visit to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, President Pezeshkian met with senior officials and scientists to review the status of the nation’s nuclear program.

He reiterated Tehran’s long-standing position that its nuclear pursuits are dedicated to advancing medical, technological, and energy-related research, as well as improving the welfare of Iranian citizens.

“Destroying buildings and factories will not create a problem for us; we will rebuild and with greater strength,” Pezeshkian stated, referring to facilities damaged in previous strikes.

He highlighted that Iran remains committed to its sovereignty and self-reliance in science and technology, despite facing external pressures and sanctions over the years.

In June, the United States carried out airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear sites, claiming that the facilities were part of a weapons-related program.

Washington argued that these actions were necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation in the region. However, Tehran rejected the allegations, insisting that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful and civilian applications, including medical research, energy production, and agricultural development.

U.S. President Donald Trump, commenting on the situation, warned that Washington would consider additional military measures if Iran attempted to rebuild the targeted facilities.

In response, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s right to develop and maintain nuclear technology within the framework of international law and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“Our program is not designed for war or confrontation,” Pezeshkian said. “It is all intended for solving the problems of the people, for health, for research, and for the country’s progress.”

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has long played a central role in advancing the country’s scientific and industrial capacity. Officials said that the reconstruction process would focus on modernizing infrastructure and enhancing the safety and efficiency of nuclear facilities.

International observers have noted that Iran continues to cooperate with the IAEA on monitoring and verification activities. The agency has previously confirmed that Iran’s declared nuclear materials remain under safeguards, though recent tensions have raised questions about the future of diplomatic engagement between Tehran and world powers.

President Pezeshkian’s administration has signaled its willingness to engage in dialogue, provided that the nation’s rights to peaceful nuclear energy are respected. Iranian officials argue that scientific independence is vital for national development and that international collaboration, rather than confrontation, is the best path toward regional stability.

Economic experts in Tehran believe that rebuilding the nuclear infrastructure could also create new opportunities for investment in science and technology, energy production, and education. The government has expressed its intent to involve local universities and research institutions in the process, aiming to foster innovation and create jobs for young scientists.

Observers say that Pezeshkian’s remarks reflect a broader vision of national resilience, focusing on rebuilding essential facilities while avoiding escalation with other countries. The president’s tone appeared measured, emphasizing progress, cooperation, and Iran’s adherence to international norms.

As reconstruction efforts begin, Iranian officials have called for an atmosphere of mutual respect and dialogue to ensure that nuclear technology continues to serve peaceful and humanitarian purposes. The government has also invited international experts to observe parts of the process, signaling a desire for greater transparency.

While political tensions remain high, Pezeshkian’s visit to the Atomic Energy Organization underlined a message of determination and stability. “Our strength lies in knowledge and the unity of our people,” he said. “With science and cooperation, we can overcome challenges and move forward toward a more secure and developed Iran.”

The coming months are expected to determine how Iran’s rebuilding plans unfold, as both domestic initiatives and international diplomacy play a role in shaping the next phase of its nuclear program. For now, Tehran’s leadership insists that the nation’s goals remain rooted in peaceful development, resilience, and the advancement of science for future generations.