U.S. President Donald Trump said that "only final coordination remains" for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war with Iran, and reports from Iran also suggested a high likelihood of final approval. While the war between the United States and Iran, which began on Feb. 28, is taking its first step toward an end after about 100 days, there are still many hurdles to clear before a final agreement.
Meeting with reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said, "We have just reached a great deal regarding the war with Iran," adding that "only the final coordination of the document remains." Regarding the timing of the signing ceremony, he said, "Probably this weekend. It might be Saturday. Vice President J.D. Vance will attend." There is also a possibility that he could celebrate the war's end on the 14th, his 80th birthday.
Iran also responded positively. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "Nothing has been finalized regarding the signing of the agreement," while also noting that "a large part of the agreement has been finalized." Iran's Fars news agency reported that "as the United States has accepted the original draft proposed by Iran, it is observed that Iran's top leadership is likely to give final approval to the text." U.S. online outlet Axios reported that four U.S. Air Force C-17 transport planes departed that day to carry equipment related to the signing ceremony that could be held in Geneva, Switzerland. Bloomberg reported that the Group of Seven (G7) summit will be held in Evian in the French Alps from the 15th to the 17th, with nearby Geneva, Switzerland, being cited as the venue for the signing of the agreement on the 14th.
Tensions between the two sides had escalated to their peak until that morning. Trump warned on Truth Social that he "will strike Iran harder tonight." But behind-the-scenes negotiations, along with Qatar breaking the deadlock in Tehran, Iran, abruptly reversed the mood. There were also continued reports that the airstrikes on Iran had been a "staged sparring match," with prior notice given before the attacks.
Trump said "the Strait of Hormuz will open immediately upon signing," suggesting that, after practical work such as mine clearance, the strait will open within 30 days at the latest. The agreement is also expected to include a declaration that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons.
However, according to CNN, there is also caution that a final agreement cannot be guaranteed, as Trump has said a deal was imminent 39 times yet negotiations had collapsed. Citing one of the mediating countries, Axios pointed out that "while Iran's senior leadership has approved the agreement, as of Wednesday evening it appears that the approval of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been obtained."
