The U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding on the Cessation of Hostilities expires on August 17
The memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, aimed at ending hostilities, expires on Monday, August 17. There are no signs that the parties are ready to extend the agreement: Washington and Tehran have been accusing each other of violating it for several weeks, Al Jazeera English reports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on August 15 that Tehran has not yet decided whether to resume negotiations with the United States. According to him, mediators from Qatar and Pakistan continue to exchange messages with Iran. Tehran is also working with Oman on a separate agreement regarding new shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, though Araghchi emphasized that this is possible only if a political settlement is reached.
The memorandum was signed on June 17 by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following high-level talks hosted by Pakistan. The document called for an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations, as well as the conclusion of a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days. This deadline could be extended by mutual agreement, and the final agreement was to be submitted to the UN Security Council for approval.
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Under the terms of the memorandum, the U.S. was to lift the naval blockade within 30 days and, upon reaching a final agreement, withdraw its forces from Iran and begin preparing a reconstruction and development package worth at least $300 billion. Washington also committed to lifting sanctions, granting exemptions for Iranian oil exports, and granting Iran access to frozen funds. Iran, for its part, was to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines and ensure free passage for ships within 60 days.
The parties began publicly alleging violations of the agreement shortly after it was signed. On June 27, Trump called Iranian strikes in the region a violation of the agreement. In response, Iran stated that U.S. strikes violated the first article of the memorandum. On July 7, Trump declared the agreement terminated, after which the U.S. resumed attacks on Iran. Tehran announced the suspension of its own obligations, accusing Washington of failing to fulfill its part of the agreement.
On August 14, Trump told supporters in New York that the U.S. would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz its territory. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the same day the intention to impose unprecedented measures against Iran. At the same time, Araghchi stated that the memorandum provided for an end to the war, not a ceasefire; therefore, in Tehran’s view, there was no 60-day truce that would have required an extension.
