US, Iran deal takes ‘immediate effect’ after both sides sign, official says

The tentative memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran went into “immediate effect” after President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed it on Wednesday, according to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Sharif, who served as the top mediator between both countries, said signing the 14-point MOU demonstrated “the commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”

The MOU “shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade,” the prime minister wrote on the social platform X.

The deal also gives both parties 60 days to negotiate the outcome of Iran’s nuclear program. The MOU states that the U.S. and Iran will “resolve the disposition of stockpiled, enriched material,” as Iran “reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.”

Sharif initially said that both parties would physically sign the MOU in a ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday. That post, however, was deleted and then reshared without any mention of the signing on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

Trump signed a physical copy while dining at Versailles with French President Emmanuel Macron following the Group of Seven (G7) summit, hosted by Macron. Trump and Vice President Vance digitally signed the MOU over the weekend.

Pezeshkian shared the MOU on X, showing his signature along with Trump’s and Sharif’s. He called the deal “a historical document and a message from a powerful Iran: Peace will be realized in the shadow of mutual respect.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been committed and steadfast to global peace while preserving its dignity and independence, as well as to progress and regional cooperation,” he wrote.

Pezeshkian appeared stone-faced after he signed the document, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Vance was expected to represent the U.S. at the signing ceremony in Geneva. Trump quipped on Wednesday that he will take credit if the deal goes well, but that he will blame the vice president if the preliminary deal falls apart.

“We’re going to bomb the hell out of them if they violate the agreement,” Trump said at a press conference on Wednesday. “I don’t want them to. I want them to honor the agreement.”