A deal between the U.S. and Iran could be signed as early as today — Axios. What does it entail?

A memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran could be signed by the parties as early as today, June 17, rather than on Friday, the 19th, a source familiar with the negotiations and an unnamed diplomat from one of the countries mediating between Washington and Tehran told Axios.

According to sources interviewed by the publication, the parties discussed the possibility of signing the deal remotely rather than in person—in Geneva on Friday, as previously planned— — and reached a preliminary agreement on this matter (Axios notes that a final decision has not yet been made). The accelerated signing of the agreement is aimed at ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz—a vital shipping lane that has been effectively blocked to shipping amid the war in the Middle East—is reopened before June 19.

The White House declined to comment on the change in the timeline for reaching an agreement.

Even if the agreement between the U.S. and Iran is signed remotely on June 17, the meeting between the U.S. and Iranian delegations, led by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bager Ghalibaf, will take place on Friday in Switzerland as planned, sources told Axios. They are expected to discuss the start of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.

The White House has not yet released the text of the deal with Iran to end the war. However, according to information obtained by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, the memorandum of understanding—a framework agreement to be signed by Washington and Tehran— — provides for the lifting of sanctions against Iran, the unfreezing of its overseas accounts, and $300 billion in investments to rebuild the country. In return, Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and commit to not developing nuclear weapons. However, the fate of the enriched uranium already in Tehran’s possession remains unresolved—the parties must reach an agreement on this matter before concluding the final peace accords on the conflict in the Middle East. These treaties are to be signed 60 days after the memorandum is concluded.

The Wall Street Journal published the text of a 14-point memorandum on Wednesday, reporting that U.S. officials had circulated the document among their colleagues at the G7 summit. Sources at the publication clarified that the wording in the final version of the document may differ. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on June 17 during a press conference at the G7 summit that the agreement with Iran, which is expected to be signed on Friday, is not final, and that Washington is prepared to resume military action in the Middle East if the terms of the deal do not satisfy the U.S. side.

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