Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jun 16: The White House has clarified that the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran is only a framework agreement and not a final peace deal, with detailed negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme set to begin after a formal signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Geneva.

US officials said the MoU establishes a broad structure for future negotiations rather than resolving all outstanding issues. Vice President JD Vance described the document as a brief framework intended to guide talks over the coming weeks as both sides work towards a comprehensive settlement.

According to US officials, sanctions relief and other economic benefits for Iran will be linked to verified compliance with nuclear commitments. Washington has maintained that no frozen Iranian assets will be released merely for signing the agreement, and any easing of sanctions will depend on inspections and verification measures confirming that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

The framework is expected to include provisions for the return of international inspectors, discussions on Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, and negotiations on the future of its nuclear enrichment programme. However, these issues remain subject to further talks and have not yet been finalised.

President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed never to acquire a nuclear weapon, while Iranian officials have described the MoU as an important step towards ending the conflict but stressed that a lasting settlement still needs to be negotiated.

The formal signing ceremony is expected to take place in Switzerland on June 19. Following the signing, technical negotiations on nuclear issues, sanctions relief and broader regional security arrangements are expected to begin, with US officials emphasising that any final agreement will depend on Iran meeting key verification and inspection requirements.