Text of Interim US-Iran Deal Sent to Congress

The White House has formally submitted the text of a landmark interim U.S.-Iran agreement to Congress, signaling a cautious de-escalation after a volatile 110-day conflict. The Memorandum of Understanding, electronically signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on June 17, mandates an immediate, permanent cessation of military operations, crucially includes a ceasefire in Lebanon, and reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, effective immediately with Iran committed to 60 days of toll-free passage. This critical breakthrough also delivers immediate sanctions waivers for Iranian oil exports and the release of some frozen assets, setting the stage for high-stakes negotiations over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. This provisional accord emerges from a conflict ignited after Washington's April 2025 deadline for a nuclear agreement passed without resolution, leading to US-Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and a subsequent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that severely impacted global energy markets. While Iran has agreed to down-blend its enriched uranium stockpile under IAEA supervision and reaffirmed its commitment against nuclear weapons, the thorniest issues — including the full scope of sanctions termination, Iran's ballistic missile program, and the future of its proxy groups like Hezbollah — remain largely deferred. The deal, which some critics already decry as a 'capitulation' worse than the JCPOA, represents a complex balancing act of mutual concessions, driven by economic pressure and geopolitical realities. With the MOU now formalized, both sides embark on a perilous 60-day negotiation period aiming for a comprehensive final deal. Talks are slated to commence this Friday in Switzerland, although White House officials have indicated Vice President JD Vance will no longer be traveling for the initial discussions. Global attention will be fixed on whether this fragile détente can evolve into a stable, long-term settlement, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear enrichment levels and the contentious issue of potential future transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran's chief negotiator has already hinted at after the initial 60-day period.