US, Iran Sign ‘End-of-War’ MOU, but Core Negotiations Are Still Ahead

Separate signing ceremony set for June 19 in Geneva

US says sanctions relief may be possible depending on Iran’s actions

The US and Iran have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war, according to Vice President JD Vance’s media interview and a briefing by senior US officials. Key issues, including transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz and the conditions for sanctions relief, remain for follow-up negotiations.

Vance and senior US officials said on June 15 that the two sides completed the electronic signing on June 14, the day they announced the MOU had been finalized. President Donald Trump and Vance signed for the US, while Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who had served as Tehran’s lead negotiator with Washington, signed for Iran.

The two sides plan to hold a separate signing ceremony in Geneva on June 19. Vance and Ghalibaf are set to attend.

The MOU appears to lay out a broad framework linking Iran’s denuclearization steps with corresponding US measures. In an interview with CNN, Vance described it as a “very rough document” of about a page and a half and said detailed issues would be addressed in later technical talks.

Questions have persisted over why the agreement was not released immediately. A senior US official said the text would be made public within 24 to 48 hours, while Trump said it would be released after the June 19 signing ceremony.

The issue of Strait of Hormuz transit fees was not fully resolved in the MOU. A senior US official said the document provides for the strait to remain open without transit charges for 60 days. Vance said he hopes the waterway can remain open without fees over the longer term, with the matter to be addressed in future technical negotiations.

That differs somewhat from Trump’s claim that transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz would be permanently waived. Iran is reportedly planning to collect charges for maritime services after the 60-day negotiating period.

The two sides also left room on sanctions relief. Vance said no money was paid in exchange for signing the MOU. He added that the US could consider easing sanctions if Iran takes steps such as removing enriched uranium or allowing a verification regime.

A senior US official said Washington and Tehran are still in the early stages of building trust. If Iran takes small steps showing a willingness to honor its commitments, the US could respond with limited early concessions.

Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon was not included in the MOU, according to the report. The US plans to keep forces in the Middle East while nuclear talks with Iran continue after the MOU signing, and would move to reduce troop levels if a final agreement is reached.

Hong Min-seong, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com