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US, Iran Sign War-End Memo, Begin 60-Day Talks; Expert Predicts Fruitless Outcome

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum to end the Middle East war, initiating a 60-day negotiation period.
  • A retired U.S. admiral believes the U.S. military actions have crippled Iran's nuclear weapons capability but failed to secure substantial concessions, predicting a lengthy and fruitless negotiation process.
  • The memorandum includes provisions for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a reconstruction fund, Iran's non-pursuit of nuclear weapons, and the termination of U.S. sanctions.

The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to end the Middle East war, commencing a 60-day negotiation period that could be extended by mutual agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump signed the 14-point document on June 17, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signing digitally.

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery expressed skepticism about the memorandum's outcome, stating it does not reflect the ground reality after 40 days of combat initiated by the U.S. and Israel. He argued that Iran's military is largely defeated and has limited capacity to retaliate, yet the U.S. has made significant concessions.

I don't think this memorandum is a good outcome. The negotiations do not reflect the ground reality after 40 days of combat.

— Mark MontgomeryRetired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, shared his critical assessment of the U.S.-Iran memorandum in a video interview.

The agreement stipulates free passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz within 60 days, a $300 billion fund for Iran's reconstruction and economic development, Iran's reaffirmation not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons, and the termination of all U.S. sanctions according to an agreed timetable. Montgomery believes Iran's commitment to not interfere with fossil fuel transport through Hormuz is a minimal concession for the U.S., especially since U.S. forces have already secured southern routes.

Trump will not sign an agreement that is detrimental to the American people.

— JD VanceU.S. Vice President JD Vance stated this during a White House press conference when responding to criticism of the memorandum.

Montgomery, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, highlighted that the U.S. military actions aimed to end Iran's nuclear weapons capability, which has been severely damaged. However, he noted that Iran has not made substantial concessions, such as committing to not pursue nuclear weapons or transferring its enriched uranium to a third party, issues deferred to the 60-day talks. He warned that Iran has historically delayed such negotiations for years.

Vice President JD Vance defended the agreement, stating that Trump would not sign a deal detrimental to Americans and expressed confidence in its completion. He emphasized that the memorandum focuses on behavior, rewarding good actions and punishing bad ones, and that the U.S. retains all its tools and influence if Iran fails to comply.

This memorandum is about behavior, which is 'rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior.'

— JD VanceU.S. Vice President JD Vance explained the principle behind the U.S.-Iran memorandum during a White House press conference.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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