US-Iran peace deal: Trump signs MoU at Versailles, White House confirms; Pakistan says the agreement will enter into force

US President Donald Trump signed the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Versailles, France on Wednesday (local time) while attending a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron for the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7).

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signed the deal, according to the White House, and it came days after Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and US Vice President JD Vance signed it electronically on June 14.

The BBC, citing the White House, said the deal was now in place and had launched a 60-day extended deadline for Washington and Tehran to reach a final deal.

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

The US-Iran MOU includes commitments such as Iran’s commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, lifting of US sanctions and a ceasefire on all fronts including Lebanon.

Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran at Versailles as part of a diplomatic effort to end the ongoing conflict, aimed at preventing economic disaster and securing a peaceful resolution.

The memorandum of understanding stipulates that the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and that the United States will lift its naval blockade, allowing free shipping for 60 days.

Trump has warned Iran that if it does not comply with the memorandum of understanding, the United States will resume military action, threatening to “bomb” it if necessary.

Yes, the MOU provides a 60-day deadline for the US and Iran to negotiate a final agreement, which can be extended by mutual agreement.

Pakistan PM says deal will enter into force ‘immediately’

On Thursday (local time), Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding had entered into force “immediately”. In a post on X, Sharif wrote: “I am honored to announce that the historic ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ was signed electronically today between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The memorandum was signed by the honorable presidents of both countries and I also supported it as a mediator.”

He added: “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding will enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade.”

Sharif welcomed the US president, noting that “his steadfast commitment to diplomacy and preference for a peaceful solution once again helped end a conflict that could have led to devastating consequences for the region and beyond.”

While Trump and Pezeshkian signed the US-Iran deal to end the war, it remains unclear whether the official signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Switzerland will go ahead.

Trump threatens to bomb Iran

The signing of the agreement came a day after Trump threatened to resume attacks on Iran and kill Iranian officials if it did not live up to its commitments. At a news conference at the G7 summit on Wednesday, Trump said: “We’re going to bomb the hell out of them if they break the deal,” adding: “I don’t want them to stick to the deal.”

He also called the Iranians “smart people” as the two sides work toward a lasting ceasefire to end the war in the next two months, according to a Reuters report. It is not the first time that Trump has threatened to resume attacks on the Islamic Republic while negotiations were underway. He said earlier: “If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave themselves, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right in the middle of their heads, okay?”

Read also | Trump’s stark warning to Iran: Stick to the deal or face the bombs again

Iran’s chief negotiator says mistrust of the US remains

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker who agreed to the deal with the Trump administration, said Wednesday that his mistrust of Washington remains, adding that the Islamic Republic’s “finger is on the trigger.”

Ghalibaf made the comments to state broadcaster Fars, noting that even if there is a final peace deal, it is “still not credible”.

“Our finger is on the trigger, and if the enemy does not understand the language of logic, we will re-enter with the language of power,” he added.

US-Iran Peace Agreement: Included here

Senior US officials told the BBC the content of the deal. Some of the key parts of the deal include Tehran’s commitment never to have a nuclear weapon; resumption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which will continue to be free for at least 60 days; the lifting of US sanctions; and an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

However, it remains to be seen whether Israel will agree with the Trump administration to end hostilities in Lebanon, a key point of the agreement.