Iran War Day 109: Tehran and Washington Sign Memorandum Electronically

Day 109 of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran witnessed a major turning point as both sides reached a ceasefire agreement through an electronically signed memorandum of understanding (MoU). U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal was signed, and the Strait of Hormuz will fully reopen from Friday.

U.S. officials said the agreement was signed by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iran’s chief negotiator, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

What Is Known About the U.S.-Iran MoU

Full details of the memorandum have not been made public, but officials from both sides have disclosed some elements:

• Iran’s National Security Council announced that the agreement ends hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and lifts the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
• Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions are to take place within 60 days after the MoU is formally signed in Switzerland on Friday.
• Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will be open to all vessels from Friday, while Vance affirmed there will be no transit fees for 60 days.
• A senior Iranian official said the U.S. agreed to release $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets and temporarily waive oil sanctions, but Vance denied this, stating that not a single dollar was unfrozen.
• Vance described the MoU as a broad document about one and a half pages long, with detailed content likely to be released soon.

In Iran

Before the signing, Ghalibaf wrote on X that Tehran had taken a major step toward final victory following historic resistance. After the deal, the U.S. lifted the blockade on Iranian ports, and at least three oil and cargo tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Saman Rezaei, head of Iran’s commercial maritime union, said the transport system through the strait would never return to its pre-war state. He confirmed that roughly 22,000 sailors had been stranded in the Gulf for nearly four months and suffered severe injuries, with the top priority being their safe extraction through international cooperation.

In the United States

Vice President JD Vance called the deal a victory for the American people. Trump dismissed reports that the U.S. paid Iran, calling it fake news from Democrats. Democratic lawmakers criticized the agreement, comparing it to the Suez Canal crisis. Republican Senator John Thune said there was insufficient information to comment and that Congress would likely hold a vote on the matter.

In Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military would continue its occupation of southern Lebanon despite the agreement. Several cabinet members called for attacking Hezbollah and stated they were not bound by the deal. Israel also killed two people in Gaza as Hamas expressed hope that the U.S.-Iran agreement would positively impact efforts to end attacks on the Palestinian territory.

In Lebanon

Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Monday killed at least one person. Thousands of displaced Lebanese are returning to wreckage in the south as Israeli and Hezbollah forces continue clashing.

Global Reactions

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the MoU, hoping Washington would push to end the war with Russia. Japan expressed concern over Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon. The pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC said the MoU should preserve Israel’s ability to carry out strikes.

Global Economy

Oil prices rose slightly: Brent futures gained 26 cents (0.3%) to $83.42 a barrel, while WTI rose 46 cents (0.3%) to $81.12 a barrel.