JD Vance to travel to Switzerland for US–Iran memorandum ceremony

US Vice President JD Vance will travel to Switzerland for the official signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on June 19, despite the document already being signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, NBC News reported, citing sources.

The White House confirmed that Trump signed the memorandum on June 17 during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The United States is expected to remove sanctions on Iran and release frozen funds and assets connected to the country’s government under a 14-point memorandum of understanding.

The interim agreement outlines an intention to achieve an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations” in the US-Israeli war with Iran, which began on Feb. 28 and has since disrupted the Middle East and shaken global markets.

Both sides are expected to continue negotiations toward a more comprehensive “final deal” within 60 days, with the possibility of extension if mutually agreed.

The MOU also states that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened, with Iran agreeing to permit “safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only,” followed by talks with Oman to determine “the future administration” of the strategic waterway, which previously handled about 20% of global oil trade before the conflict.

Under the terms of the agreement, the US will “terminate all types of sanctions,” “make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets,” and begin withdrawing its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran also “reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons,” with a jointly agreed mechanism to oversee its “enriched material” stockpile.

The senior US official described Iran’s commitment to destroying its enriched stockpile as “a major, major win for the United States of America,” adding that sanctions relief would depend on progress in the nuclear settlement and the extent to which Iran meets its obligations.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov