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17 Jun 2026, 15:39

The Memorandum of Understanding May Be Signed Sooner Than the Switzerland Meeting

Axios, machine translation:
The U.S., Iran, and intermediaries are in discussions about holding a signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding; a ceremony currently scheduled for Friday, but according to a diplomat from one of the intermediary countries and a second source familiar with the talks, it may take place sooner, even on Wednesday.

Why it matters: If this happens, the memorandum will be signed electronically, the sections related to the Strait of Hormuz will be implemented in the agreement, and the U.S. may finally release the text of the agreement.

A diplomatic source stated that discussions about advancing the timeline to open the Strait of Hormuz earlier than Friday have taken place, as both sides agreed on this matter.

Another factor could be political pressure on the White House to release the text of the memorandum.

A source familiar with the discussions claimed that it was Iran that requested the text not to be published until the official signing, and denied that the White House made such a decision in response to political pressure.

Current status: As of Wednesday morning, no final decision had been made regarding changing the signing time.

The White House declined to comment.

Main news: Even if the signing time changes, the meeting of U.S. and Iranian delegations, led by Vice President Pence and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, will take place as scheduled on Friday in Switzerland; this was stated by sources.

They are expected to discuss the commencement of negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Ambiguous point: A senior government official told reporters that this agreement was electronically signed on Sunday by President Trump, Pence, and Qalibaf.

The diplomatic source claimed that such a signature has not taken place.

The informed source claimed that this signature has occurred and the new signature will be a "second signature." It is unclear why two signatures are necessary.

What to watch for: The White House has stated since Sunday that the opening of the Strait by Iran and the lifting of the U.S. blockade will only begin on Friday, after the official signing ceremony.

According to the diplomatic source, if the agreement is signed earlier, this process will also be expedited.
axios.com

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