US Vice-President J.D. Vance stated that the United States government has not yet made public the text of its memorandum of understanding with Iran due to sensitive diplomatic issues involving both Tehran, as well as regional intermediaries.
Speaking on the ‘Megyn Kelly Show’ ’ on 16 June, Vance said that ‘there are some sensitive diplomatic issues’ and that Iran, together with intermediaries including Pakistan and Qatar, had asked Washington to proceed with caution in this process.
“There are sensitive issues in the Arab and Muslim world that we are trying to be mindful of,” Vance said, explaining the delay in publishing the document.
He also emphasised that the memorandum was merely a preliminary framework, rather than a detailed agreement. “The memorandum of understanding is about one and a half pages long, so it is a very general document,” said Vance, adding that key issues would be addressed during the technical phase of the negotiations.
The Vice-President noted that the United States is negotiating from a position of strength and can move on if future negotiations fail.
“If they adhere to this agreement, I think it will be much better for the United States and much better for Iran,” said Vance.
“But if they do not comply with the agreement, the straits will remain open, we will still have inflicted significant damage on their nuclear programme, and ultimately, we will be able to carry on as a country,” he added.
The United States of America and Iran have signed a framework agreement electronically to end the three-month war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, senior US administration officials announced on 15 June. The official signing ceremony is expected to take place on 19 June.
According to numerous reports, the document provides for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iran. It also provides for a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, during which negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme are to take place. Trump emphasises that Iran will not possess nuclear weapons.
On 16 June, the US President stated that the negotiations had entered a second phase, which he described as easier than the first.