U.S. and Iran Discuss Accelerating MOU Signing Amid Strait of Hormuz Focus
The United States, Iran, and mediating countries are reportedly in discussions to move the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) from its scheduled Friday date to as early as Wednesday. This potential acceleration could lead to an electronic signing of the agreement, an earlier implementation of provisions concerning the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. potentially releasing the agreement's text sooner. While the goal is to expedite the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, no final decision on shifting the signing had been made as of Wednesday morning, and the White House has declined to comment.
The United States, Iran, and mediating parties are discussing the possibility of holding the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as early as Wednesday, a shift from its currently scheduled Friday date. This information comes from a diplomat from one of the mediating countries and a second source familiar with the ongoing discussions.
Should the signing be moved up, the MOU would be executed electronically. This would allow the sections of the agreement pertaining to the Strait of Hormuz to take effect sooner than initially planned. Additionally, the U.S. might release the text of the agreement earlier than anticipated.
According to the diplomatic source, the discussions around accelerating the timetable are specifically aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz sooner than Friday, an issue on which both parties reportedly agree. Another factor in the discussions could be the political pressure on the White House to release the text of the MOU. However, the source familiar with the discussions claimed that Iran had requested the text not be published until the formal signing, denying that the White House was responding to political pressure.
As of Wednesday morning, no final decision had been reached regarding the timing change for the signing. The White House declined to comment on the matter.
Despite potential changes to the signing schedule, a meeting between the U.S. and Iranian delegations, headed by Vice President Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf respectively, is still set to occur on Friday in Switzerland. These delegations are expected to initiate negotiations on Iran's nuclear program during their meeting.
There have been conflicting reports regarding a prior electronic signing. A senior administration official told reporters that President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ghalibaf electronically signed the deal on Sunday. However, the diplomatic source denied any such signing took place, while the source familiar with the discussions claimed it did happen and that this would constitute a "second signing." The reason for two signings remains unclear.
The White House has indicated since Sunday that the opening of the strait by Iran and the lifting of the U.S. blockade would commence on Friday, following the formal signing ceremony. Should the deal be signed earlier, this timeline would also be moved up, according to the diplomatic source.
(Source: Axios)
