US and Iran Set to Sign Virtual Peace Agreement Amid Ongoing Tensions
Virtual Meeting to Finalize Peace Agreement
On Sunday, the United States and Iran are scheduled to conduct a virtual meeting aimed at finalizing a peace agreement to conclude the conflict that erupted on February 28. This significant event will feature US Vice President JD Vance alongside Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Reports indicate that the agreement may involve the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, facilitating fee-free passage, and lifting the blockade on Iranian ports.
According to sources cited by Al Arabiya, the US and Iranian delegations will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during this virtual session, with the involvement of mediating nations, Pakistan and Qatar. Once the agreement is signed, it is expected that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened for transit without fees, and the US naval blockade on Iranian ports will be lifted.
However, an Iranian semi-official agency has reported that Tehran has not yet made a definitive decision regarding the framework of the agreement. Ongoing evaluations of the political, legal, and technical aspects of the MoU are still being conducted at various expert and decision-making levels.
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the signing of the deal with Iran is set for Sunday, coinciding with his 80th birthday. Nevertheless, Iran has dismissed claims of a signing ceremony occurring on that day. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated that while an agreement could be reached in the "coming days," it would not happen on Sunday. Although the precise timing remains unclear, it is evident that both parties will electronically sign a memorandum that may extend the ceasefire for an additional 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and initiate discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program.