President Donald Trump told reporters in France that the U.S.-Iran peace deal announced Sunday evening was already “all signed,” as the conflict entered its 108th day on Monday. Vice President J.D. Vance on Monday morning told Good Morning America, “We already signed the deal digitally yesterday.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier in the day said that “the memorandum of understanding to end the war between Iran and America is scheduled to be signed on Friday,” which was the widespread expectation Sunday night and Monday morning.
Trump added that the text of the memorandum of understanding would be available to the public “probably pretty soon. I would say after sometime after Friday… I think sometime in the very near future.”
Trump said Sunday night that a deal between the U.S. and Iran to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls was “now complete,” adding that he would immediately lift the U.S. naval blockade of the waterway. While the Hormuz strait does not appear fully open, Iranian leaders and regional mediators also said Sunday that a framework deal had been agreed to.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement Sunday evening that “the text of the memorandum of understanding regarding the negotiations to end the war (the Islamabad negotiations) between Iran and the United States was finalized.” The council added that “under the agreement reached, war and military operations on all fronts — including immediately ending the Lebanon front tonight and permanently — will conclude.”
Reuters reported the terms of the agreement also include the U.S. returning $25 billion in confiscated Iranian funds in exchange for mutual lifting of the blockades of Hormuz, with Iran reaffirming its longstanding position not to develop nuclear weapons. Once signed, the memorandum of understanding will probably kick off 60 days of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and other thorny issues.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz struck a defiant tone after the U.S.–Iran deal was announced, saying that Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon would continue. Katz said Israel planned to stay “indefinitely” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, and that Israel would strike Iran with “great force” if Iran attacked Israel to defend Lebanon. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir likewise said Monday that Israel is not bound by the agreement.
Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon continued Monday, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry reporting the death toll from Israeli attacks rose to 3,798 people killed since March 2.
Brent Crude oil fell on Monday to $82.84 a barrel while AAA reported the national average price of regular gas at $4.07.
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