US, Iran electronically sign MoU to end conflict

The United States and Iran have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending their 109-day conflict, with US President Donald Trump saying the Strait of Hormuz would be fully reopened by Friday, although significant uncertainties remain over the agreement’s implementation and long-term prospects.

According to US officials quoted by international media, the agreement was electronically signed by Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The MoU comes after more than three months of hostilities triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with fighting extending to multiple fronts across the region, including Lebanon.

While the full text of the agreement has not been made public, officials from both sides have provided differing accounts of its provisions.

Iran’s National Security Council said the agreement would halt hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and end the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Follow-up negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief are expected to begin during a 60-day period following a formal signing ceremony scheduled in Switzerland on Friday.

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route, would
be “open to all” once the agreement takes effect, while Vance said no tolls would be imposed on vessels using the waterway during the negotiation period.

However, conflicting statements have emerged regarding economic concessions.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Washington had agreed to release $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets and temporarily ease sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

Vance denied the claim, saying no sanctions relief or asset releases had been approved.

He described the MoU as a brief framework document of approximately one-and-a-half pages, adding that more details could be released soon.

Before signing the agreement, Ghalibaf described it as a major step toward what he called Iran’s “final victory” following months of resistance against the United States and Israel.

Iranian media reported that several Iranian oil tankers and cargo vessels had already resumed movement through the Strait of Hormuz after the US lifted its maritime blockade.

Despite the agreement, Iranian shipping industry representatives cautioned that full normalisation of maritime traffic would take time, citing security concerns and months of disruption that left thousands of seafarers stranded in the Gulf.

In Washington, Trump rejected reports suggesting the US would provide direct financial assistance to Iran, dismissing such claims as “fake news.”
The deal has drawn mixed reactions in the United States.

Democratic lawmakers criticised the agreement, while Republican leaders said they were awaiting further details before taking a position. Congressional briefings are expected in the coming days.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would continue operating in southern Lebanon despite the US-Iran agreement.

Several members of his cabinet also voiced opposition to any arrangement that could limit Israeli military operations against Hezbollah.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that any lasting settlement must include an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas of southern Lebanon, a demand Israeli leaders have publicly rejected.

Fighting has continued in both Lebanon and Gaza, with casualties reported on both fronts even after the announcement of the agreement.

International reactions have largely welcomed the breakthrough. Ukraine expressed hope that the diplomatic progress could encourage renewed efforts to resolve other global conflicts, while Japan voiced concern over continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

The agreement also drew attention from pro-Israel advocacy groups in the United States, which argued that Israel should retain freedom of military action regardless of the deal.

Global energy markets responded cautiously, with oil prices rising modestly amid uncertainty over the pace of implementation. Brent crude rose to 83.42 dollar per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed to 81.12 dollar per barrel.

Analysts say the success of the agreement will largely depend on the outcome of upcoming negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and regional security arrangements.