US, Iran Begin Implementing End-of-War MOU; Delay Possible for Denuclearization Talks

The United States and Iran on June 18 (local time) began full-scale implementation of their end-of-war memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Delegations from both countries were scheduled to meet in Switzerland on June 19 to launch follow-up negotiations for Iran's denuclearization, but the start of the talks could be delayed as a remote signing between the leaders of the two nations took place on June 17.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said during a press conference at the White House on Thursday, "I will say that the 60-day negotiation period under the end-of-war MOU with Iran officially began today."

Counting from Thursday, the 60-day period runs until August 16.

The core of the MOU is that the U.S. and Iran agree to open the Strait of Hormuz and lift the maritime blockade on Iran, followed by 60 days of subsequent negotiations regarding Iran's denuclearization and the lifting of sanctions.

Vice President Vance announced that the U.S. Navy has lifted the maritime blockade on Iran in accordance with the end-of-war MOU.

The U.S. Central Command also announced the lifting of the maritime blockade on Iran, adding that U.S. warships will remain in the area to ensure compliance with the agreement.

Vice President Vance emphasized that 12.5 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz overnight.

This was intended to highlight that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is on track to normalize under the MOU.

Vice President Vance said negotiations with the Iranian delegation are scheduled to take place this weekend, but that could change.

It appears possible that the start of the follow-up negotiations will be delayed.

Initially, the U.S. delegation led by Vice President Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were scheduled to meet in Switzerland on June 19 for an MOU signing ceremony and to enter follow-up talks. However, the signing ceremony became uncertain after a remote signing between the presidents of both countries took place the previous day.

The New York Times (NYT) cited Iranian media reporting that the signing ceremony on June 19 would not take place.

Regarding the economic compensation to be provided to Iran, Vice President Vance repeatedly asserted, "This is only possible when Iran fully implements [its promises] and changes its behavior."

He also reiterated that not a single penny of U.S. funds would go into the economic compensation for Iran.

He defended the legitimacy of the MOU, saying it is worth making an attempt to see if Iran will change its behavior.

Vice President Vance urged Israel to respect the MOU.

He added that attacks on civilians in the Lebanese capital of Beirut are unacceptable.

"Donald Trump is the only head of state friendly to Israel at this point and the leader of a global superpower," he said.

To the Israeli ministers criticizing the MOU, he also said, "Wake up and look at reality."

This effectively put strong pressure on Israel to refrain from criticizing the U.S., warning against the possibility of Israel jeopardizing the MOU by airstriking Beirut under the pretext of attacking Lebanon's pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah.

Vice President Vance argued that the temporary lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil does not grant new benefits to Iran.

However, critics point out that the lifting of sanctions will allow Iran, which had been selling oil to China at low prices due to sanctions, to sell oil to various countries at higher prices.

Vice President Vance made remarks on Thursday suggesting that there is a "gentlemen's agreement" in addition to the 14-point MOU.

This implies that there are additional informal agreements beyond the official MOU signed by both sides.

It is rare for a negotiating party to publicly acknowledge the existence of a gentlemen's agreement.

CNN reported through further coverage that closed-door discussions regarding the handling of Iran's nuclear program have taken place, and some of these are working-level documents that both sides agreed to formalize in the next phase.

It also pointed out that Vice President Vance's mention of a gentlemen's agreement might be intended to exaggerate achievements, and it also shows how narrow the scope is for what both sides can agree on through an official signature.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.