President Donald Trump's assertion that a peace agreement with Iran is effectively complete is facing scrutiny after Iranian state-affiliated media published what it described as key provisions of a memorandum of understanding that appears to leave several major issues unresolved.
The reported details, published by Iran's Mehr news agency ahead of an expected signing ceremony in Switzerland, paint a more tentative picture than the one presented by the White House. While Trump has promoted the arrangement as a breakthrough capable of ending hostilities and restoring stability across the region, the leaked provisions suggest significant negotiations may still lie ahead.
At the center of the dispute is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors. Trump has repeatedly stated that the waterway will reopen and remain permanently accessible to global shipping.
In a recent statement, Trump said the route would be "permanently toll-free" and fully reopened following implementation of the agreement. The version published by Mehr, however, suggests a different framework, with maritime traffic resuming under Iranian supervision within 30 days and potential fees being considered after an initial grace period.
That discrepancy has contributed to continued caution among shipping companies and energy traders. Despite signs of de-escalation, several operators have indicated they are waiting for additional security guarantees before resuming normal activity through the strategic passage.
Questions have also emerged regarding sanctions relief and the sequencing of concessions. According to Mehr's reported terms, restrictions on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports would be suspended during a 60-day negotiating period.
The same report claims approximately $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets could be released before a final agreement is completed. Such provisions would provide Tehran with immediate economic benefits while negotiations continue on broader issues.
The scope of future talks represents another apparent gap between public expectations and the reported framework. According to Mehr, upcoming negotiations would focus primarily on uranium enrichment, sanctions relief and postwar reconstruction efforts.
Notably absent from the reported agenda are Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for regional armed groups, two issues that have long been central concerns for both Washington and Israel. Their omission is likely to draw attention from policymakers who have argued that any lasting settlement must address Tehran's broader regional activities.
Lebanon remains another potential source of friction. The leaked terms reportedly call for an end to fighting across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, where Israel has continued military operations against Hezbollah.
That provision may prove difficult to enforce because Israel is not a formal signatory to the memorandum. Shortly before the agreement was announced, Israeli forces reportedly conducted strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Trump later suggested those operations should not have occurred, highlighting the challenges of coordinating multiple conflicts linked to the broader regional crisis.
Meanwhile, officials on both sides continue to dispute how the agreement should be interpreted. Trump has rejected previous Iranian descriptions of the negotiations, while U.S. officials have challenged Tehran's characterization of sanctions relief and implementation timelines.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the agreement is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland later this week. Swiss officials have also expressed willingness to host the ceremony if all parties approve the arrangement.
