Trump signs Iran memorandum ending war, sanctions, and blockade

Trump signs – President Trump has signed a preliminary “memorandum of understanding” framework with Iran—also signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and mediated by Pakistan’s prime minister—setting out a staged end to military operations, U.S. blockade removal, sanc

President Trump walked into a gala dinner at the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, and later the White House said he had signed the memorandum of understanding with Iran.

The framework—obtained by NPR. with a source sharing the text on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the preliminary deal—was signed on Wednesday by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. along with Pakistan’s prime minister. who mediated between the United States and Iran.

Formally titled the “memorandum of understanding. ” the document lays out what it calls the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts. including in Lebanon. ” after both countries sign. It also says the two sides—along with their allies in the current war—agree “from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other. ” and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other. while “ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon.” The text adds that the “final Deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts. including in Lebanon. and other provisions of this paragraph.”.

The memorandum also sets a reciprocal commitment not to interfere. It says Iran and the United States “undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and “to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.”

Negotiations are built into the timeline. After the memorandum is signed, the two countries agree to negotiate and reach a final deal within “maximum 60 days,” with the period “extendable with mutual consent.”

One of the most concrete steps in the text comes immediately after signing. It says the United States will begin removing its naval blockade and related “disturbances or impediments” against Iran. with the blockade fully ended within “30 days.” During that window. the document states that “the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by” Iran. It further says the U.S. will remove its forces from the proximity of Iran within “30 days after the final Deal.”.

Shipping is addressed in detail as well. Upon signing. the memorandum says Iran will make arrangements—using its “best efforts”—for the safe passage of commercial vessels “with no charge for 60 days only” from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman. and vice versa. It states that commercial traffic will start immediately. and that—after accounting for the removal of “technical and military obstacles” and “de-mining” by Iran—ship movement will be “instated within 30 days.” Iran is also directed to conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the “future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz. ” in discussions with other Persian Gulf littoral states. in line with international law and the “sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.”.

Economics and sanctions are treated as central to the framework. The memorandum says the United States will work with “regional partners” to develop a definitive mutually agreed plan with “at least USD 300 Billion” for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development. It says the implementation mechanism for that plan will be finalized as part of the final deal within “60 days. ” and that all required licenses. waivers. and permissions needed for relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States.

The document also commits to sweeping sanctions relief. It says the United States will “terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. ” including the United Nations Security Council resolutions. IAEA Board of Governors resolutions. and all unilateral U.S. sanctions—both “primary and secondary”—in an agreed-upon schedule as part of the final deal. It says Iran and the United States acknowledge the “critical importance” of sanctions termination and express their “intentions to immediately address these issues” in negotiations to achieve mutual agreement.

On nuclear matters. the memorandum says Iran “reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.” It says the two sides have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material through a mechanism mutually agreed on. with “minimum methodology to be down blending on-site. ” “under the supervision of the IAEA.” The memorandum also says the two parties agree to discuss enrichment and other matters relating to Iran’s nuclear needs. based on a satisfactory framework to be agreed upon in the final deal. It says the final deal will confirm these provisions.

Before the final agreement is reached, the memorandum aims to freeze escalation. It says that “pending the final Deal. ” both sides will “maintain the status quo.” The text says Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program. the United States will not impose new sanctions. and the U.S. will not deploy additional forces in the region.

It also describes specific U.S. Treasury actions tied to the early phase. The memorandum says that immediately upon signing, and until the termination of sanctions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury “will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil. petroleum products and derivatives. and all associated services including banking transactions. insurances. transportation. etc.”.

The document includes language on funds and assets. It says the United States undertakes to “make fully available for use. the frozen or restricted funds and assets” of Iran upon implementation of the memorandum. It says the two countries will mutually agree on procedures related to release of those funds during negotiations. It adds that such funds. “whether retained in the original account or transferred. ” shall be made “fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. ” and that the United States will issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.

Implementation and monitoring are also spelled out. The memorandum says an “executive mechanism” will be established to monitor successful implementation of the MoU and future compliance with the final deal.

It further states that after signing—subject to the beginning of implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11, and the continuing implementation of those measures—Iran and the United States will start negotiations exclusively on the other paragraphs.

The framework concludes with a key legal anchor. It says the “final Deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.”

Taken together. the memorandum ties military termination. blockade removal. shipping access. sanctions rollback. asset releases. and nuclear constraints into a staged sequence—each linked to a negotiation window “maximum 60 days” and ultimately to a final agreement backed by the United Nations Security Council.

United States Iran agreement memorandum of understanding Trump Masoud Pezeshkian Pakistan prime minister mediation naval blockade removal sanctions termination IAEA nuclear negotiations Persian Gulf Sea of Oman shipping Strait of Hormuz UNSC resolution