The Questions Outnumbering the Answers About the U.S.-Iran Deal
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly signed on to some kind of agreement to end the war, only no one has yet seen the interim agreement they e-signed, both sides seem to be making incompatible claims about what’s in it, Israel doesn’t seem to agree with the agreement, and nothing has taken effect or will until the agreement is actually physically signed on Friday, at which point the real negotiations over major unresolved issues — like Iran’s nuclear program — will also begin. As far as supposed peace deals go, this one remains literally sketchy, regardless of what President Donald Trump is claiming about it. Here’s a running list of questions about the pending memorandum of understanding, based on the most recent reporting, analysis, and general vibes.
. What are all sides actually agreeing to?
We don’t actually know. Pakistan and Trump announced that a deal had been finalized shortly before his big UFC birthday bash on Sunday, and Iran says there’s a final agreement too. Everyone agrees there will be a final in-person signing of that agreement on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland, but as of right now the contents of the actual agreement have not been made public.
According to the framework of the memorandum of understanding talked up by various officials, Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; the U.S. has agreed to end its naval blockade of Iran; both sides have agreed to a 60-day extension of the already perpetual cease-fire, and both sides have agreed to more negotiations over a nuclear deal during that timeframe.
. When will the text of the deal be released, and why is it being kept a secret?
On Monday, there were suggestions that the text of the agreement would be released within 24 to 48 hours, but it’s not out yet and it’s not clear why. Trump has indicated the text won’t be released until Friday.
. So this isn’t a peace deal to end the war?
No, at best it’s just a tentative, short-term agreement to slowly back away from the hot war, which was already mostly paused. The more complicated path to a substantive, lasting peace is yet to be determined.
. But there is an actual deal this time, unlike every other time?
. What about Iran’s nuclear program?
That does not appear to be part of this agreement, at least at this stage in the negotiations. Both sides appear to have punted this issue (as everyone expected them to). Trump insists that Iran has committed to........
