Vice President JD Vance confirmed Sunday that the United States and Iran have digitally signed a memorandum of understanding to end their war, with the full text of the agreement due to be released Friday. “We already signed the deal digitally yesterday,” Vance said during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday, referring to the Sunday signing. The formal signing ceremony will take place in Geneva on Friday, June 19.
President Donald Trump and Vance signed the agreement on behalf of the United States, while Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf signed for Tehran, according to a senior U.S. official. A U.S. official confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader does not typically sign such agreements, noting that the previous Iranian supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, did not sign the 2015 nuclear deal either.
The agreement represents a breakthrough after nearly four months of conflict that disrupted global shipping and triggered economic turmoil. The deal includes a 60-day extension of the existing ceasefire, during which the critical Strait of Hormuz will reopen to shipping traffic. “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that the strait would open upon the deal’s signing on Friday.
The memorandum of understanding will serve as a framework for broader negotiations over the following 60 days on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and regional security arrangements. According to CNBC, the agreement would extend the ceasefire to create space for these future talks. Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, stated that “a permanent and immediate end to the war has been declared on all fronts,” though questions remain about Israel’s acceptance of the agreement, as the country is not a party to it.
Vance has emphasized that no money will be released to Iran simply for signing the deal. “We already signed the deal digitally yesterday, and there’s been no money released. And that won’t change,” he said on ABC. The agreement also includes provisions for nuclear inspectors to return to Iran under its terms, according to statements from Vance to NBC News.
The digital signing comes after months of negotiations mediated by Pakistan, during which both sides had walked away from talks multiple times. In April, a two-week ceasefire was brokered following more than five weeks of fighting. Subsequent negotiations extended and refined the terms, culminating in this preliminary agreement that both sides hope will lead to a lasting peace settlement.
Sources
- The Times of Israel — Vance’s confirmation of digital signing, details on who signed the agreement, and the Friday signing ceremony schedule
- CNBC — Deal structure, 60-day ceasefire extension, Strait of Hormuz reopening, and nuclear negotiations framework
- Politico — Vance’s statement on deal signing and full text release timeline
- ABC News — Vance’s “Good Morning America” interview confirming digital signing
- NBC News — Vance’s statements on nuclear inspectors returning to Iran under deal terms
- Reuters — Deal terms including Strait of Hormuz reopening and U.S. naval blockade lift
