Trump and Pezeshkian Sign US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding at Versailles

Fox News

Trump and Pezeshkian

US President Donald Trump announced in the early hours of Thursday that he had signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran, formally bringing the agreement into force.

The White House released footage of the signing ceremony held at the Palace of Versailles in France. The event was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, as well as members of Trump’s delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Speaking during the ceremony, Trump acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations, saying they had not been easy following months of talks that came after military escalation and the outbreak of war on 28 February, which had affected both the region and the global economy.

Iranian state media simultaneously published images of President Masoud Pezeshkian holding a copy of the memorandum bearing Trump’s signature.

The memorandum was signed by both Trump and Pezeshkian and includes provisions aimed at ending the conflict, lifting sanctions on Iran and guaranteeing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. As he departed Versailles, Trump confirmed that he had signed the agreement with Iran.

A US official told AFP that Trump signed the memorandum during a dinner hosted by President Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit. The official confirmed reports that the signing took place during the gathering.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that the memorandum had been formally signed, although members of the negotiating team would still travel to Switzerland. The spokesperson added that a separate signing ceremony planned for Friday had been cancelled.

Earlier, Iran released the full text of the memorandum. Its provisions largely mirrored those previously outlined by Washington. Both countries pledged not to interfere in one another’s internal affairs and agreed to work towards a final settlement within 60 days, with the possibility of extending negotiations if required.

Under the agreement, Iran committed not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would return to pre-conflict conditions. The United States, for its part, pledged to lift all sanctions imposed on Iran and to cooperate with regional partners on programmes aimed at supporting the country’s economic reconstruction.

However, Iran’s chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, described the memorandum as a defeat for Washington.

In remarks broadcast by Iranian state television on Wednesday night, shortly after the agreement was published by both sides, Ghalibaf said the Iranian public would judge the outcome for themselves.

He also indicated that Iran intended to introduce fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz after the 60-day fee-free period set out in the memorandum expires, pending negotiations on a final agreement.

“The strait will not return to its pre-war state,” Ghalibaf said, adding that Iran has sovereign rights over the waterway and intends to charge for the services it provides there.


PUKMEDIA