SWITZERLAND: In a surprise diplomatic breakthrough, the United States and Iran have electronically signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to end hostilities and reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz ahead of the originally scheduled ceremony, US officials confirmed to a American news website.
The agreement, which has now come into force, was initially set to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday. However, according to the US website, the Pakistani Ambassador to Switzerland – serving as a mediator – along with another diplomatic source, revealed Wednesday that intensive talks were underway to expedite the process and begin implementation immediately.
A diplomatic source indicated that the primary objective of the early signing was to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as swiftly as possible, as both parties had already reached consensus on the matter.
Sources suggested that growing political pressure on the White House to release the full text of the agreement may have accelerated the timeline. However, one source clarified that Iran had stipulated that the text should not be made public before the formal signing, adding that the decision was not influenced by White House pressure.
In a bid to end days of speculation, a senior US administration official briefed reporters during a conference call on Wednesday, providing details about the agreement’s scope and implementation framework.
The early signing marks a significant de-escalation between the two longtime adversaries and is expected to stabilize global energy markets, which had been rattled by the prolonged closure of the vital shipping lane.
