The United States and Iran are nearing a memorandum of understanding to end their current conflict, according to statements from US President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. While Trump expects a signing ceremony in Europe within the next few days, Baghaei told Iran’s state-run Press TV on Thursday that Tehran has not yet reached a final conclusion regarding the agreement’s terms.
What are the details of the proposed US-Iran memorandum?
US President Donald Trump described the potential agreement as a “very strong memorandum of understanding” that is currently in its “final shape.” Speaking at the White House, Trump indicated that the deal is moving toward completion “pretty quickly.” He expects a formal signing ceremony to take place in Europe over the upcoming weekend, noting that Vice-President JD Vance is expected to attend.
When asked if Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the terms, Trump told reporters, “I understand the answer is yes.” However, the Iranian side offers a more cautious perspective. In an interview with state-run IRIB TV, Baghaei clarified that while major sections of the text are almost finalized, Iran has not officially arrived at a final conclusion about the settlement.
Kharg Island is a critical piece of Iranian infrastructure. It manages over 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, making it a primary target in any military escalation involving the energy sector.
Why did the United States cancel planned strikes against Iran?
President Trump announced via Truth Social on Thursday evening that he had canceled scheduled bombings and strikes against Iran. He cited progress in ongoing negotiations as the primary reason for the reversal. “Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have… cancelled the scheduled strikes,” Trump wrote.
This decision follows earlier threats from the White House. On Thursday morning, Trump had vowed to launch “bigger, more powerful” strikes and expressed intentions to take control of Kharg Island. Despite the pause in kinetic military action, Trump noted that the US naval blockade will “remain in full force and effect” until the transaction is fully finalized.
The shift from military escalation to diplomatic negotiation highlights a volatile transition period. The administration is attempting to leverage the threat of strikes to secure the final points of the memorandum, a tactic that has historically characterized US-Iran interactions.
What role does Israel play in the potential settlement?
While Israel is not a formal party to the memorandum of understanding, the Israeli government remains closely involved in the diplomatic discourse. During a phone call on Thursday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the negotiations with President Trump, according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
Netanyahu expressed support for the process provided specific security conditions are met. According to his office, the Prime Minister thanked Trump for his commitment to ensuring the final agreement includes several key mandates:
- The removal of Iran’s enriched nuclear material.
- The dismantling of Iranian enrichment facilities.
- Strict limits on Iran’s missile production.
- An end to Iranian support for regional “terrorist proxies.”
How could the conflict expand if a deal is not reached?
The risk of regional escalation remains high if negotiations stall. Ali Abdollahi, chief commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned that any further US strikes would cause the conflict to expand well beyond the immediate region. These remarks were reported by the semi-official Fars news agency on Thursday.
Abdollahi criticized what he termed the “clear contradiction” in US policy, stating that the United States continues to perpetrate “malicious acts” while simultaneously speaking of peace. He suggested that US propaganda and media warfare are attempts to conceal “successive defeats” in the ongoing conflict. This rhetoric suggests that if the memorandum fails, Iranian military leadership may view further US action as a trigger for a broader regional war.
There is a notable discrepancy between the two sides’ framing of the deal. Trump presents the agreement as a “great settlement” that is nearly done, whereas Baghaei emphasizes that Iran is still evaluating the final terms. This gap suggests that the “final points” mentioned by Trump may still be points of contention for Tehran.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the US naval blockade against Iran end soon?
No. President Trump stated that the naval blockade will remain in full force until the transaction and signing of the memorandum are finalized.
Where will the US-Iran agreement be signed?
President Trump indicated that the signing ceremony is expected to be held in Europe over the upcoming weekend.
Is Israel part of the memorandum of understanding?
No. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, Israel is not a party to the MoU, though the Israeli government is monitoring the terms closely.
Stay updated on international security developments. Share your thoughts on the potential peace deal in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for breaking analysis.
