G7 leaders back US-Iran MOU, even as Trump casts doubt on Friday signing

The U.S. and Iran are close to signing a memorandum of understanding to end their conflict, with terms including lifting the U.S. naval blockade, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. However, President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the deal's finalization, threatening to resume bombing if Iran does not "behave." The agreement faces bipartisan criticism in the U.S. over the secrecy of its text.

US-Iran memorandum of understanding

• ▪The MOU states Iran will not seek a nuclear weapon, with both countries maintaining the current "status quo" on its nuclear program
• ▪The MOU aims to end fighting on all fronts, lift the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz
• ▪Under the deal, the United States would immediately issue sanctions waivers for Iran’s fossil fuel industry
• ▪The agreement includes a plan for a $300 billion fund, developed with regional partners, for Iran's reconstruction and economic development
• ▪The U.S. and Iran are nearing a formal signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end their conflict, with a ceremony scheduled for Friday
• ▪Senior U.S. officials briefed journalists on the MOU's 14 points on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, speaking on condition of anonymity

Trump statements on deal uncertainty

• ▪President Donald Trump suggested the planned Friday signing of the MOU with Iran could still fall through
• ▪President Trump stated the $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran would only proceed "if they're [Iran] doing things right"
• ▪Speaking at the G7 Summit on June 17, 2026, President Trump said Washington would resume bombing if Iran does not "behave"

MOU implementation timeline

• ▪A formal signing ceremony for the MOU is scheduled for Friday, though President Trump suggested it could happen sooner
• ▪According to U.S. officials, the MOU was electronically signed on Sunday, but both sides can still walk away before the final signing
• ▪The initial deal will launch a 60-day negotiation period on issues including Iran's nuclear program and its support for regional proxies

Deal text secrecy criticism

• ▪Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that members of his party are pressuring the White House to release the MOU's official text
• ▪Politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties in the U.S. have criticized the secrecy surrounding the deal's text
• ▪U.S. Vice President JD Vance claimed Iran and regional mediators, not the U.S., wanted the slow roll-out of the deal's text
• ▪Democratic Senator Mark Kelly said he needs to see the actual text of the deal, not just a tweet, to believe it has been reached

Trump remarks on Iranian leadership

• ▪President Trump claimed the U.S.-Israeli war resulted in "regime change" in Iran, a view that experts reportedly do not share
• ▪President Trump described Iran's new leadership as "very smart" and "far less radicalised"