A preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran could be made public before Friday, according to US Vice President JD Vance, signaling a major step toward reducing tensions in the Middle East.
The announcement comes after President Donald Trump claimed that the initial deal had already been signed, raising hopes for a broader diplomatic breakthrough.
Trump Says Preliminary Agreement Is Complete
Speaking during the G7 Summit in France, Trump expressed confidence in the progress made with Tehran. During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, he stated that the agreement had already been finalized.
According to senior US officials, the document was electronically signed by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The formal signing ceremony is expected to take place in Geneva later this week.
JD Vance Calls the Deal a Framework for Future Talks
Vice President Vance described the memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a short and broad document designed to establish the foundation for future negotiations.
He explained that many complex issues would be addressed during upcoming technical discussions, but the agreement provides a roadmap for both sides to meet their commitments while receiving the agreed benefits.
One of the key provisions requires Iran to support regional peace and stability, including ending financial support for armed groups. The agreement also includes a commitment that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons under a verifiable monitoring system.
Technical Nuclear Negotiations Set to Begin
US officials confirmed that detailed discussions over Iran’s nuclear programme will begin this week.
Any easing of sanctions or the release of frozen Iranian assets will depend on Tehran fulfilling its obligations under the agreement. The negotiations aim to address long-standing disputes over uranium enrichment and international inspections.
Israel Maintains Security Position
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would remain in designated security zones across Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for as long as necessary.
He stressed that Israel would continue to protect its security interests and maintained that Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
His remarks came after reports of renewed violence in southern Lebanon, where local media said an Israeli strike targeted a vehicle and Hezbollah responded with missile and drone attacks.
Iran Welcomes Progress but Remains Cautious
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the end of active military operations and credited lengthy negotiations involving Qatari mediators for the breakthrough.
Iran’s military leadership portrayed the agreement as evidence that pressure from Tehran and its regional allies had forced the US and Israel to compromise.
Despite the positive developments, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stressed that it still has deep reservations about Washington and views the agreement as only an initial step toward reducing hostilities.
Regional Leaders Hope for Lasting Stability
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the announcement and expressed hope that the political understandings would lead to concrete actions that permanently end the cycle of violence in the region.
While the preliminary agreement marks significant diplomatic progress, several major issues remain unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear activities, sanctions relief, and access to billions of dollars in frozen oil revenues.
As technical negotiations begin and the formal signing approaches, world leaders will be closely watching whether the framework can develop into a lasting peace agreement.