US President Donald Trump digitally signs the peace agreement in France and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian virtually signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching negotiations on a broader agreement that includes sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear program.Trump signed the memorandum during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday, while Pezeshkian also signed the document. CNN reported that the agreement entered into force immediately after the two sides signed it.This development represents an important step towards stopping the escalation after months of escalating tensions in the region and military confrontations that included Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The memorandum, referred to as the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” establishes a framework for a ceasefire, economic cooperation, sanctions relief, and negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear activities.Click here to follow live updates on the conflict in the Middle East Confirming this development, Trump told reporters that the agreement was signed during his visit to Paris.“It’s signed. I signed it at Versailles, I just signed it,” Trump said.
A senior US administration official described the agreement as a mechanism to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, address concerns surrounding Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, and create a path to economic engagement.“This is essentially an agreement that allows us to open the Strait of Hormuz immediately, oblige the Iranians to destroy the nuclear fallout, and then gives us a key where if the Iranians ask for their good behavior, we respond by asking for the kind of economic relief and sanctions that can make them a more prosperous country,” the official said.
Iran also confirmed the agreement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said that consultations involving Oman and other countries have been underway for some time, and that arrangements related to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz have largely been completed.Baghaei said that safe maritime passage will be ensured while maintaining Iran’s authority over the strategic waterway.He added: “It was agreed to sign the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding electronically.
“The memorandum has now been officially finalized because both sides have signed it.”
He added that the agreement would guarantee “the sovereignty and authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.”Read also | Donald Trump signs a memorandum of understanding on the peace agreement between the United States and Iran during dinner with Macron at the G7 in Versailles, and says: “This was not easy”
What the deal includes
The 14-point agreement stipulates an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations between the two parties and obliges both sides to complete negotiations on a final agreement within 60 days.
The deadline could be extended if the two governments agree.The memorandum also includes provisions related to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, through which a large share of global oil supplies passes.
Under the arrangement, Iran will facilitate the safe passage of commercial ships through the strait free of charge for an initial period of 60 days. In return, the United States will begin lifting restrictions associated with its naval blockade and related measures.The agreement also outlines a phased process for sanctions relief, including Treasury waivers for Iranian oil exports and the gradual release of frozen Iranian assets.One of the most important items is Iran’s proposed US-backed reconstruction and economic development program worth at least US$300 billion.The memorandum also addresses concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Press TV reported that Tehran reiterated that it will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons, while discussions about the future of its stockpile of enriched uranium will be held under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.According to previous Fox News reports, the broader framework also includes structured ceasefire arrangements involving Israel and Hezbollah along with negotiations over Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
What are 14 points?
According to the text issued by the White House, the 14 points of the deal are:
- By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and their allies in the current war declare an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and pledge henceforth not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and to ensure Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The final agreement will confirm the permanent end to the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph.
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran pledge to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interference in each other’s internal affairs.
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran are committed to negotiating and achieving a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
- Immediately upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States of America will begin removing its naval blockade and any disturbances or obstructions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will completely end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, ship traffic will be proportional to the pre-war traffic numbers that the Islamic Republic of Iran will recover. The United States of America also pledges to withdraw its forces from the region adjacent to the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final agreement.
- Upon signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels free of charge for a period of only 60 days from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The movement of commercial ships will begin immediately, and given the necessity of removing technical and military obstacles and clearing mines by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the start will take place within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will engage in a dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to determine future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf states or coastal states in line with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states over the Strait of Hormuz.
- The United States of America pledges with regional partners to develop a final, mutually agreed-upon plan in the amount of not less than $300 billion for reconstruction and economic development in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for implementing this plan will be finalized as part of a final agreement within 60 days. All necessary licenses, exemptions and permissions for relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.
- The United States of America pledges to end all types of sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, including United Nations Security Council resolutions, i.e. Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, both primary and secondary, within a timetable agreed upon as part of the final agreement. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America recognize the critical importance of the issue of ending the above-mentioned sanctions and express their intention to immediately address these issues in negotiations in order to reach a mutual agreement on them.
- The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not purchase or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to resolve the issue of disposal of stocks of enriched materials according to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the timetable mentioned in the seventh paragraph, provided that the minimum methodology is final mixing on site under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. As agreed by both parties We will discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed upon issues related to the nuclear needs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the basis of a satisfactory framework to be agreed upon in the final agreement. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran recognize the critical importance of the above-mentioned nuclear issues and express their intention to address these issues immediately in negotiations in order to reach a mutual agreement thereon.
- Pending reaching a final agreement, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the status quo of its nuclear program and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.
- The United States of America pledges that immediately after signing the Memorandum of Understanding and until the end of sanctions, the US Treasury will issue exemptions for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.
- The United States of America pledges to make full use of the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Upon implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on procedures related to the release of these funds during negotiations. These funds, whether held in the original account or transferred, must be fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary determined by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.
- The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to establish an executive mechanism to monitor the successful implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding and future compliance with the Final Agreement.
- Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and subject to the commencement of implementation of Paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of the Memorandum of Understanding, and the continued implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin negotiations on a final agreement regarding the remaining paragraphs exclusively.
- The final agreement will be ratified by a binding resolution from the United Nations Security Council.
Why does it matter
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important aspects of the agreement. The strategic waterway carries a large portion of global oil shipments, and any interruption has immediate effects on global energy markets.The memorandum is seen as an attempt to reduce regional tensions, restore commercial shipping through the Gulf and create a path toward a broader diplomatic settlement between Washington and Tehran.If implemented successfully, the memorandum could represent one of the most significant diplomatic achievements between the United States and Iran in recent years, easing regional tensions while opening the door to sanctions relief, economic cooperation, and renewed engagement on nuclear issues.