The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Esmaeil Baghaei, has confirmed that the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States has been digitally signed by the presidents of both countries, thus coming into force immediately, according to statements broadcast by the Iranian state channel Press TV.
“The text of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States is now officially finalized because both parties have signed it,” said Baghaei, who also ruled out holding an in-person ceremony in Switzerland.
The spokesperson explained that the decision for the agreement to be signed by the highest authorities of each country was deliberate. “When the text is signed by the highest authorities of both countries, violating it will naturally have a higher cost,” he said.
The 14-point memorandum, reached after months of negotiations mediated by Pakistan, ends the war that began on February 28 with the US and Israeli offensive against the Islamic Republic. It also orders the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts,” including Lebanon.
60 days for a definitive agreement on the Iranian nuclear program
Both sides now have 60 days to negotiate a final agreement on the Iranian nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. During that period, Iran will guarantee free transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the United States will lift the naval blockade against Iranian ports in 30 days.
Likewise, and as part of the final agreement, Washington would commit to lifting all sanctions against Iran, releasing frozen assets and developing a $300 billion reconstruction plan. Baghaei indicated that this process already began following Iranian threats after the Israeli attack on the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh.
Furthermore, the spokesperson has warned that implementing the agreement will be more difficult than signing it, especially “with parties that are not committed to their obligations.” The signing of the agreement marks the first formal agreement between Washington and Tehran since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear pact.
