The US and Iran Prepare to Sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Preparation for a Comprehensive Agreement

SadaNews - The United States is preparing to sign a ceasefire agreement with Iran in the coming days.

US President Donald Trump stated late Thursday to Friday that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened as soon as a "wonderful settlement" is signed to end the war with Iran, predicting that the signing could occur within days.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, "We have just reached a wonderful settlement for the war with Iran."

He explained that his Vice President, J.D. Vance, will attend the signing ceremony for the agreement.

Axios reported, citing a source, that 4 US planes carrying equipment for J.D. Vance to sign a potential agreement with Iran took off for Europe yesterday.

Trump specifically mentioned that he spoke with leaders in the region, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding the agreement.

He added, "The strait will officially open as soon as we sign the agreement, which could happen soon... very soon... maybe at the beginning of the week in Europe."

Trump mentioned that he believes Iranian Supreme Leader Mojahed Khamenei has agreed to an agreement with the United States that would lead to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and lift the US blockade on Iranian ports.

When asked by a reporter in the White House if Khamenei agreed to the agreement, Trump said, "I think the answer is yes."

Trump described the agreement as "a very strong memorandum of understanding," adding that it is "a bit preliminary, but it is something that will be done."

The confrontation between the US and Iran swung again between de-escalation and escalation on Thursday after a sudden shift in President Donald Trump's stance, who announced the cancellation of military strikes planned for that night against Iran, indicating significant "progress" and discussions that reached the "highest level" for concluding a "near agreement."

This retraction came just hours after Trump's threat to take control of the oil "Kharak Island" and its infrastructure "as happened with Venezuela," while Tehran quickly denied any final approval on negotiating texts amidst ongoing reciprocal strikes for the second day after the downing of a US "Apache" helicopter on Monday near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Axios, the memorandum of understanding to be signed in the coming days calls for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz without imposing transit fees and providing relief from sanctions on Iran based on its compliance with pledges, according to a diplomat from one of the intermediary countries and a senior US official.

A US source said: The memorandum addresses all nuclear issues in detail and meets all US requirements, and we are working with the relevant parties to finalize the agreement and set a date for the signing ceremony.

Other sources revealed details of the draft final provisions of the agreement, indicating that the agreement between Washington and Tehran provides for a 60-day extension of the ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The sources added that during the 60 days, negotiations will take place on highly enriched uranium, and under the agreement, Washington will ease sanctions on Iran and lift the blockade.

It was noted that Tehran has given final approval conveyed by Qatar to the US and that there will be a mediator overseeing any violations of the agreement.

If the agreement is completed, it will be the most significant diplomatic achievement to date to end the three-month-long war, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and caused global energy prices to surge sharply.

The semi-official Iranian news agency Fars reported that Tehran is likely to approve the agreement, but it has not yet provided an official response.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the text of the memorandum of understanding with the US is almost ready.

The Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai as saying that Tehran has not yet made a final decision regarding a potential agreement with the United States and that it will not concede its "red lines" in the negotiations.

Baghai said that reports about the timing and location of the signing of the agreement are still mere speculation, and nothing has been decided yet. He added that a significant portion of the negotiation text has been completed, but the United States has changed its positions repeatedly during the talks.