Daijiworld Media Network – Paris
Paris, Jun 18: In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending months of conflict between the two countries and setting the stage for broader negotiations.
According to officials from both nations, the agreement was digitally executed on Wednesday after being initially signed electronically on Sunday by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The MoU came into immediate effect, replacing plans for a formal signing ceremony in Switzerland later this week.
President Trump also signed a hard copy of the agreement during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles in France. The White House released footage of the signing and confirmed that copies of the signed document had been shared with Iran and the mediating countries.
US officials said the agreement is intended to bring an end to the nearly four-month conflict and facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route.
Although negotiating teams remain scheduled to meet in Geneva, Iranian officials clarified that the gathering is not meant for the signing of the agreement. A decision on whether the meeting will proceed is expected shortly.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran must be able to sell its oil without restrictions on transportation, insurance, or access to revenues. He stated that the United States has committed to removing barriers preventing Iran from accessing frozen funds.
Baghaei added that oil-related sanctions should be lifted immediately, enabling Iran to resume exports during a 60-day period in which both sides will negotiate the terms of a broader agreement.
The MoU reportedly establishes a 60-day commitment framework under which neither side should take actions that could undermine the agreement. Iran has called on the United States to refrain from imposing new sanctions or increasing military deployments in the region during this period.
On the nuclear issue, Baghaei said Iran's enriched uranium would remain within the country and would not be transferred abroad. He noted that dilution of enriched uranium remains one of the options being discussed.
Iranian officials also stressed that the country's missile programme and defence capabilities are not part of the negotiations. Baghaei said Iran's missiles are intended for national defence and are not open for discussion.
Meanwhile, chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen under new arrangements, with Iran continuing to operate in accordance with international maritime laws. He added that Tehran may levy service charges on vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
Qalibaf further revealed that the MoU includes provisions for nearly $300 billion in investments in Iran, with part of the funding earmarked for post-conflict reconstruction projects.
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Trump signalled flexibility on Iran's missile capabilities, saying it would be unfair to deny Iran certain weapons if other countries in the region possess similar systems. He also indicated that US military forces would remain in the Gulf for the time being as the agreement is implemented.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the development, referring to the accord as the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding." In a post on X, Sharif said Pakistan had played a mediating role and described the agreement as an important step towards resolving tensions through diplomacy.
According to Sharif, the first measures under the MoU include Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade, actions aimed at easing tensions and paving the way for a broader diplomatic settlement.