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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

US officials: Trump, Vance sign MOU with Iran's Ghalibaf on ceasefire

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The US and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a framework for a ceasefire and future negotiations, according to a senior US official.
  • The MOU reportedly includes the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of US maritime blockades.
  • While the US is prepared to discuss sanctions relief and economic measures, these are contingent on Iran's verifiable cooperation on its nuclear program, halting support for extremism, and acting like a normal state.

The United States and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a framework for a ceasefire and subsequent negotiations, a senior U.S. official revealed. The official stated that President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance signed the document for the U.S. side, with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf representing Iran.

We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran. Both the President and I signed it, and Ghalibaf signed it for Iran.

— Senior U.S. officialAnnouncing the signing of the MOU.

During a press briefing, the official described the MOU as laying out the basic structure for future U.S.-Iran negotiations and relationship management. The agreement reportedly includes the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of U.S. maritime blockades. However, the official cautioned that "immediate" does not mean instant normalization of all shipping, as lingering mines and varying risk tolerances among vessels could delay full transit recovery.

If Iran is willing to act like a normal country, the U.S. is ready to treat Iran like a normal country.

— Senior U.S. officialOutlining the U.S. condition for normalizing relations.

The U.S. official indicated that if Iran cooperates on verifiable measures, such as its nuclear program, halting support for extremism and terrorism, and generally acting like a "normal state," the U.S. is prepared to discuss sanctions relief and economic reintegration into the global economy. "If Iran is willing to act like a normal country, the U.S. is ready to treat Iran like a normal country," the official stated.

The Strait of Hormuz will be open for 60 days without transit fees. There are no transit fees or charges during the term of the memorandum of understanding.

— Senior U.S. officialDetailing terms related to the Strait of Hormuz.

The MOU also addresses transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz, with the waterway to be open for 60 days without such fees. The U.S. intends to release the full text of the MOU within 24 to 48 hours, assuring there are no secret side agreements. Any unfreezing of Iranian assets or sanctions relief will be directly linked to verifiable implementation steps by Iran. The official denied reports of $25 billion in frozen funds being released, stating "zero dollars" have been unfrozen to date.

The memorandum of understanding will be released within 24 to 48 hours, and there will be no secret side agreements.

— Senior U.S. officialRegarding the transparency of the agreement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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