Iran and US sign memorandum on ending war: 14 articles, unfreezing of assets, free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and troop withdrawal — a peace sealed by electronic signature
The document was signed electronically by both presidents. Iran gains access to frozen assets and freedom to sell oil. The US withdraws troops and lifts sanctions according to a schedule. Lebanon is mentioned three times — any Israeli aggression will be considered a violation of US commitments. First delegations have arrived in Switzerland, but no official signing ceremony will take place.
As reported by CCTV+, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his US counterpart Donald Trump electronically signed a memorandum of understanding on ending the war, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Thursday in an interview with state TV IRIB. Baghaei noted that the memorandum consists of 14 articles, and any violation of its commitments will entail much higher costs for the violating party.
Baghaei stressed that oil sanctions against Iran must be lifted not just on paper but accompanied by all necessary measures to ensure full implementation. Iran must be allowed to freely sell its oil and petrochemical products and receive full proceeds from these sales. Iran must be able to access its frozen assets when needed and use these funds for various types of procurement.
On the same day, Baghaei also spoke about the ceasefire and the end of the conflict in Lebanon, stating that these two events are equally important for Iran. In the first article of the memorandum, Lebanon is mentioned three times, with emphasis on respect for its territorial integrity and national sovereignty. If Israel continues its aggression in Lebanon, it will be considered a violation of the commitments undertaken by the United States in the memorandum.
On Wednesday, Iranian media published details of the agreement. Washington undertakes to withdraw troops from the region surrounding Iran, begin reconstruction work, lift sanctions according to the schedule specified in the final agreement, and unfreeze all restricted Iranian funds after the conditions of the memorandum are met. In turn, Iran will ensure free and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz within 60 days. Both sides also undertake to resolve the issue of stored enriched uranium through a mutually agreed mechanism.
Two US officials said on Wednesday that the memorandum had been electronically signed and had entered into force. An official signing ceremony is expected to take place on Friday in Switzerland. On Wednesday, Pakistani media reported the arrival of the first delegations from Iran, the US and Pakistan in Switzerland. However, on Thursday Baghaei told IRIB that the Iranian negotiating team's plan to visit Switzerland remains in place, but there will be no signing ceremony in the country.
The Iran-US memorandum of understanding is the result of months of indirect negotiations mediated by Pakistan. The document formalises the cessation of hostilities that began in late February 2026 after the US-Israel attack on Iran, which led to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Lifting sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets are key conditions for Tehran. The withdrawal of US troops from the region is one of Iran's main demands. The Lebanon aspect shows that the agreement touches on a broader Middle Eastern context.
A war that lasted nearly four months is receding into the past — but not at the flick of a switch, rather by an electronic signature. The 14 articles of the memorandum are not just paper but a roadmap back to life. For Iran — access to its billions, freedom to sell oil, and hope for reconstruction. For the US — an exit from a protracted conflict and a promise of peace in the region. But the most fragile part of this agreement is Lebanon. One move by Israel, and the entire memorandum could collapse. Peace has been signed online, but its durability will be tested not in Switzerland, but on the ground in the Middle East. And while diplomats prepare for a ceremony, the real battle is just beginning — the battle to ensure that words do not remain just words.
