U.S. and Iran to Sign Memorandum of Understanding on the 19th, Then Hold Final Talks for 60 Days... Will Trump Attend?

[Financial News] The Iranian government said it has reached an agreement with the United States on a ceasefire memorandum of understanding and will hold final negotiations for peace over the next 60 days. The contents of the memorandum are expected to be released only after the signing ceremony in Switzerland on the 19th local time.
On the 15th, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said through the Iranian media outlet Tasnim News Agency that Iran had agreed with the United States on a ceasefire memorandum of understanding. He explained that "an immediate and permanent end to the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will be declared starting tonight." He added that "the lifting of the U.S. maritime blockade on Iran will also begin tonight."
Gharibabadi said Iran's implementation of the memorandum will begin on the 19th, when the official signing ceremony is held, unlike the United States. He said the two sides will hold final ceasefire talks for 60 days after the signing and verify the terms of the memorandum. The verification will include an end to hostilities and the maritime blockade, as well as the unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas by the United States. Gharibabadi said the specific wording of the memorandum will be disclosed after the signing ceremony on the 19th. On the 15th, Iran's Fars News Agency reported that Iran will manage vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in cooperation with Oman.
He stressed that "the memorandum does not mean we trust our enemies," adding, "We will watch whether the United States fulfills its commitments." Gharibabadi said that "Iran's military power and deterrence helped shape the agreement," and that "we did not agree to the memorandum until our final demands were reflected in the text." He emphasized that "the Iranian military will always keep its finger on the trigger."
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on the 14th, writing, "Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are now complete. Congratulations to everyone!" He said, "I have approved the open passage through the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and the immediate lifting of the U.S. Navy's maritime blockade around Iran," adding, "All ships of the world, turn on your engines, and let the oil flow!"
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has mediated ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran since April, posted on X on the 15th, saying that "both sides have declared an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon." Sharif claimed that the two sides had reached a 'peace agreement' and that an official signing ceremony would be held in Switzerland on the 19th. He added that "following the agreement, the mediating countries will arrange a series of meetings this week."
The announcement came about 106 days after the United States, together with Israel, attacked Iran on February 28. Last month, Western media reported that the United States and Iran were discussing a ceasefire memorandum centered on a 60-day extension of the truce and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Vice President JD Vance mentioned the signing ceremony scheduled for the 19th in an interview with Fox News shortly after Trump announced the agreement. He said, "I think the details of who will attend the signing ceremony are still being worked out," adding, "I definitely plan to attend, but it is also possible that the president himself will be there." Trump is scheduled to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, from the 15th to the 17th.

pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter