The situation is murkier and murkier

A 14 point Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU ) was signed recently on 17th June, 2026 between USA and Iran, which stopped hostilities between the two countries for 60 days. Its terms also spoke of unfreezing Iran’s frozen assets by the US, removing sanctions on Iran, permitting Iran oil exports, and giving Iran reconstruction money. On its part, Iran would not procure or develop nuclear weapons, would discuss the issue of its enriched uranium, and allow the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to all shipping..

Now an MOU is not a binding contract or a treaty. Unless it fructifies into a binding agreement, it puts no obligations on either party, and only indicates an intent, but with no firm commitment by either party.

Subsequent to the signing of the MOU, delegations from both governments went to Switzerland to interact. The United States and Iranian delegations met in Switzerland from June 21 and June 22. The high-level negotiations were held at the Bürgenstock resort and were mediated by Qatar and Pakistan following a signed MOU to establish a ceasefire and roadmap for peace

What exactly happened in the negotiations is not certain, but US Vice President J.D. Vance, who headed the US delegation, said in a press conference that the MOU was a major milestone for the American people, and the first step in permanent denuclearization of Iran, and that Iran had agreed to let inspectors of the IAEA inspect its nuclear sites. He also said that a mechanism for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open will be soon set up.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/us-iran-talks-war-vance-trump-hormuz-lebanon-switzerland-foundation-rcna351112

President Trump went further, and said that Iran had fully and completely agreed to allow nuclear inspection .

But Iran has denied that it ever agreed to nuclear inspection or the other things mentioned by Trump or Vance.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei has said that none of the US statements were true

Iran has flatly denied the American claims, and said (1) Iran had never agreed to nuclear inspection (2) The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war condition, but will remain under Iranian control (3) Iran will never give up its missiles, since without them Iran would have been plundered and destroyed, becoming another Gaza

Which of these conflicting narratives is true ? Trump, whose popularity rating is at its lowest, needs to sell this deal in the light of the coming US Congressional elections due in November, as a historical win, and say that the war with Iran was worth it.

On the other hand, Iran is still unyielding on its stand of not permitting nuclear sites inspection, its right of uranium enrichment, its right to have missiles, and its right to control the Strait of Hormuz.

The two conflicting diametrically opposite interpretations of the terms of the MOU makes one’s eyes and mind boggle, and makes it clear that the MOU ( which was never binding in the first place ) was just a scrap of paper, and is now totally dead.

As to what will happen in future is anyone’s guess, but my own understanding is that a massive US-Israeli attack on Iran is now imminent, as explained below :

https://www.punjabtodaynews.com/massive-attack-on-iran-coming

https://www.hastakshepnews.com/2026/06/justice-markandey-katju-why-i-believe.html

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Preview YouTube video LIVE: JD Vance briefs after first round of U.S.-Iran talks concluded in Switzerland |Pakistan |TrumpPreview YouTube video LIVE: JD Vance briefs after first round of U.S.-Iran talks concluded in Switzerland |Pakistan |Trump

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Markandey Katju
Markandey Katju is an Indian jurist. He was the former judge of Supreme Court of India. He also was chairman of the Press Council of India from 2011 to 2014.
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