Trump signed deal at Versailles: Macron welcomes US-Iran MoU, says "important step in right direction"
Versailles, June 18
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday welcomed the signing of the Iran-United States Memorandum of Understanding, describing it as an important step toward lasting peace and the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, Macron confirmed that US President Donald Trump signed the agreement during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles and expressed hope that the development would contribute to lower global energy prices.
"President Trump signed tonight at Versailles the agreement between Iran and the United States. This agreement paves the way for lasting peace and allows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. It is an important step in the right direction for our compatriots that will soon enable a decrease in energy prices," Macron said.
The White House also shared a video showing Trump signing the document alongside Macron during the dinner meeting in Versailles.
"President Donald J. Trump has SIGNED the Iran Memorandum of Understanding at Versailles in France," the White House said in a post on X.
The agreement marks a significant diplomatic development between Washington and Tehran. According to CNN, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian virtually signed the 14-point memorandum aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching a 60-day process to negotiate a comprehensive final agreement.
CNN reported that a White House official confirmed Trump personally signed the document on Wednesday while in France, while Pezeshkian signed it separately, bringing the agreement into immediate effect.
The United States subsequently released the official text of the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran."
A senior US administration official described the agreement as a framework designed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately, address Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and create a pathway for phased economic relief tied to Tehran's compliance with the deal.
According to Iran's Press TV, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that the memorandum had been finalised and signed by both sides following consultations involving Oman and other countries.
The 14-point agreement provides for an immediate cessation of military operations, including in Lebanon, and commits both countries to pursuing a final agreement within 60 days. It also includes provisions for the removal of the US naval blockade, safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, phased sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a US-backed economic development programme for Iran worth at least USD 300 billion.
The memorandum further states that Iran has reaffirmed it will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons and envisages future discussions regarding enriched uranium stockpiles under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'll believe it when I see it. How many times have we seen US-Iran deals fall apart? But credit where due—getting Trump to sign anything at Versailles is impressive. Macron must have been a great host! 🏛️
Interesting move by both sides. For India, lower energy prices would be a blessing—our economy needs the boost. But let's not forget Iran's track record with enrichment. IAEA supervision is good, but 60 days is too short for a comprehensive deal. Let's see how this plays out.
From an American perspective, this is a mixed bag. Trump signing at Versailles is classic showmanship, but the substance matters more. The $300 billion development fund for Iran? Taxpayers might have questions. Still, peace is better than war any day.
As someone whose family faced the brunt of high petrol prices recently, I'm cautiously optimistic. But let's be real—any deal involving Trump and Iran is like a Bollywood masala movie. Drama, twists, and a cliffhanger ending! 😂 Hope India benefits from this.
The "Islamabad Memorandum" is an interesting name—Oman's role in brokering this is key. For India, stability in the Gulf means our diaspora there is safer, and trade routes stay open. But I worry about the $300B pledge—that's a lot of money for a country under sanctions. Hope the terms are watertight.
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