US President Donald Trump on June 5 addressed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran on Friday (June 7), suggesting the deal could still 'fall apart.' Speaking at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian, France, Trump appeared uncertain when asked about the signing process. He said: 'Deals are great. I've been doing them all my life. There are deals that seem 100% certain but never happen. And there are deals that seem impossible to reach but get done easily.'
Signals from the Trump administration about the MOU in recent days have been contradictory. US officials insist the MOU was signed electronically on Sunday, and the terms cannot be changed. However, a senior US official also revealed that while the text has been signed electronically, both sides retain the right to withdraw until the formal signing ceremony on Friday. Alongside this, Trump warned that if Iran does not 'behave properly,' Washington would resume bombings.
The MOU, according to US officials, includes 14 points, notably ending hostilities on all fronts, lifting the US naval blockade, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The US would also immediately grant sanctions waivers for Iran's fossil fuel industry. On the nuclear program, the MOU reaffirms Iran's longstanding position of not pursuing nuclear weapons, with both sides maintaining the current 'status quo.' Negotiations on enriched uranium stockpiles and the future of Iran's nuclear program would take place within 60 days.
Notably, the MOU addresses the US and regional partners building a 'mutually agreed plan' worth at least $300 billion for Iran's reconstruction and economic development. When asked about this plan, President Trump said the money would only be disbursed 'if they (Iran) do it right.' He also distinguished between releasing frozen Iranian assets and handing over cash directly. 'We've taken a lot of their money, and it's their money... If we don't give it back, no one will invest in the dollar anymore,' he said.
The secrecy surrounding the deal has drawn criticism from both sides of the US political spectrum. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly said he needs to see the actual text to believe in the agreement. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (Republican) acknowledged that party members are pressuring the White House to release the text. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance revealed that Iran and regional mediators, not Washington, are the ones wanting to slow down the release process.
