Trump and Pezeshkian sign ceasefire MOU at G7, ending 110-day Middle East war

Ceasefire signed at Versailles

The memorandum of understanding, titled "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran," was signed by the two presidents during a candlelit dinner at the Palace of Versailles. Host Emmanuel Macron and other guests applauded, a video posted by a Trump aide showed. The document had been digitally signed four days earlier, on Sunday, by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, witnessed by Trump.

Just signed it.

The agreement draws a line under the war that began on 28 February when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, prompting Iranian counterattacks with missiles and drones across the region and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the text, both sides and their allies declare an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Inside the 14-point MOU

Senior US officials dictated the draft agreement to journalists before the signing. The document commits Washington to immediately begin lifting its naval blockade against Iran, with full termination within 30 days. In return, Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The United States also undertakes to waive oil sanctions crippling Iran’s economy. Once a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme is reached, the US will facilitate a $300 billion reconstruction fund backed by regional nations.

As a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade.

Both sides pledge to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from interference, and negotiate a final agreement within 60 days, with the deadline extendable by mutual consent. Many of the hardest issues, including the future of Iran’s enrichment programme, are left for that negotiation.

Israel calls deal “very bad”, G7 sees historic chance

Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon told Channel 14 the deal was “very bad” for Israel, the US, and the Gulf states, accusing Trump of strengthening Iran’s hand through haste. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised a historic victory but delivered a crisis with the Americans, open Strait of Hormuz for Iran, money for the Revolutionary Guards, and ballistic missiles still aimed at Israel.

Sehr schlecht.

In Evian-les-Bains, G7 leaders welcomed the agreement in their final communiqué as a “historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” European leaders, largely sidelined in the negotiations, expressed relief that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, though some privately viewed the deal as a strategic setback. The inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire effectively requires Iran to rein in Hizbullah, though Israel retains the right to strike back if attacked and was not a party to the talks.

The nuclear compromise and sanctions relief

Iran conceded that its 440-kilogram stockpile of highly enriched uranium would be down-blended on Iranian soil under IAEA supervision. US officials presented this as an Iranian concession, but Iran had offered the same terms in February before the war. The issue of enrichment levels and other nuclear needs is deferred to the final deal, with the two sides agreeing only to discuss them within a satisfactory framework.

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf framed the outcome as a US failure, telling state television that the country’s military successes let it enter negotiations from a position of strength. The state news agency IRNA published the text on Wednesday evening, matching versions circulated by western media.

People will see it and judge.

What happens next

An official ceremony and the start of technical talks are set for Friday in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. Trump used his G7 appearance to thank Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for staying neutral during the conflict, saying they avoided sending heavy weaponry and made resolution easier. Beijing and Moscow maintain close ties with Tehran, and China’s independent refiners continued buying Iranian oil despite US sanctions.

I want to thank China, President Xi. I was with him, and he stayed neutral, totally neutral, and I appreciate it. And I want to thank Vladimir Putin, he was very neutral.

Oil prices fell on the announcement, though analysts warned that supply on the world market could remain tight. The 60-day clock to negotiate a permanent settlement starts immediately.