Deal promises end to conflict
But details of MoU remain unclear as Tehran, Washington offer differing accounts
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran both claimed victory on Monday after digitally signing a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the three-month conflict, yet both sides continue to offer conflicting accounts of its contents as the text remains unpublished.
Iran called the deal a triumph over Washington and Israel. "The enemy that had attacked to carry out its evil aims was defeated in all its aims and the Islamic Republic of Iran won great victories in the war," Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in remarks broadcast on state television on Monday.
US President Donald Trump hailed the agreement for restoring stability in the global markets. "I think a lot of great things are going to happen in the Middle East right now. And very importantly, the oil (price) is plummeting down, and the stock market is shooting up like a rocket today," Trump was quoted by PBS News as saying on Monday in Evianles-Bains, France, which is currently hosting the G7 Leaders' Summit.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to military operations across multiple fronts have been announced by both sides, with key details remaining disputed. Among the unresolved issues is Iran's proposed fees for ships transiting the strait.
Trump insisted on Monday that the strait will be toll-free and "there's no argument on that". US Vice-President JD Vance said in an interview with CNBC on Monday that the strait is expected to open "in a toll-free way for the long term".
However, Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency reported on Monday that Iran will accept ships' passage through the waterway free of charge solely for 60 days, after which the country intends to provide security, maritime, environmental and insurance services to crossing vessels and use the revenues for its economic development.
Differences also remain over Lebanon. Both sides announced an immediate ceasefire across all fronts, but it remains unclear whether the arrangement would require the Israeli military to withdraw from the large areas of southern Lebanon it currently occupies.
