Explainer: Is the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding still alive?

Fresh U.S. airstrikes and subsequent Iranian retaliation have plunged Washington and Tehran back into open conflict, jeopardizing a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed less than a month ago. The agreement was intended to end the war and pave the way for broader negotiations, but both sides now accuse the other of being the first to violate its terms.

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military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States' interests both at home and abroad.

While neither side has formally declared the MoU void, the recent escalation has raised serious doubts about the survival of diplomacy. U.S. President Donald Trump formally notified Congress that military operations against Iran had resumed under his direction, describing the strikes as consistent with his responsibility to protect American interests. This notification initiates a new 60-day period allowing the administration to conduct military operations without congressional approval. Trump also announced the reinstatement of an "Iranian blockade," restricting Iranian ships and customers from entering or leaving, and proposed a 20 percent fee on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

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the United States was "reinstating the Iranian blockade, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving," and proposed charging a 20 percent fee on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran, however, insists that Washington is the party that abandoned the agreement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the MoU had entered a "crisis phase" due to continuous U.S. violations. He warned that Iran would adhere to a principle of "commitment for commitment" and would cease fulfilling its own obligations if the U.S. persisted in breaching the deal.

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the MoU had entered a "crisis phase" because Washington had continuously violated its obligations.

Before the latest escalation, regional mediators were used to preserve the fragile agreement. Washington reportedly demanded that Iran publicly reaffirm the openness of the Strait of Hormuz and cease attacks on commercial ships, citing violations of the MoU. Trump also indicated a willingness to continue talks, though he simultaneously declared the ceasefire over. Iran denied seeking new negotiations but signaled openness to engagement through intermediaries like Qatar. Despite these efforts, fighting has intensified, with U.S. Central Command reporting strikes on military targets across Iran, aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping. Iran has continued its missile and drone attacks on U.S. positions and regional targets.

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commitment for commitment