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By Gabe Whisnant and Brendan Cole

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The United States and Iran have reached a draft agreement to halt the war and restart nuclear negotiations.

The deal pauses a Middle East conflict that disrupted global energy markets, but critics say it stops short of resolving concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. When finalized, it would temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease pressure on Iran through sanctions waivers and set off a new round of high-stakes talks.

President Donald Trump signed what what was called a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as he sat at a table at the Palace of Versailles, in Paris, with French president Emmanuel Macron looking on during his trip to France for the G7 Summit.

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An image showed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian holding up the agreement on which Trump's signature can be seen.

It comes ahead of meeting in Switzerland scheduled for Friday involving American and Iranian representatives in which Iran's Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Vice-President JD Vance are expected to attend.

This screen grab from X shows President Donald Trump signing a draft agreement to the end the Iran War next to French president Emmanuel Macron, at the Palace of Versailles, Paris, June 17, 2026.

U.S. officials said the framework requires Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium while allowing economic relief in return. Israel, which was not a party to the negotiations and has signaled it will maintain military operations against Iran-backed forces, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, could see its security posture directly affected by the deal’s provisions.

Newsweek has reached out to the Israeli Foreign Ministry via email on Wednesday afternoon for comment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote Tuesday on X, "With an agreement, without an agreement—as long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons."

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Iran Deal Signed by Trump-Pezeshkian

The location of Versailles for Trump signing the agreement was of symbolic significance.

It has long served as a venue for major diplomatic agreements, including treaties ending wars and territorial disputes. The most notable remains the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I; its punitive terms against Germany are widely seen by historians as contributing to the conditions that led to World War II.

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What’s in the 14-Point Draft Agreement?

Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran has jointly agreed in good faith on on the following:

• The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war, by signing this mou declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph.
• The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs.
• The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent.
• Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal,
• Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf with Oil states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz
• The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.
• The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, i.e.
• IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned, and expressed their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
• The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpile enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down blending on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned, and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
• Pending the final deal, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions, and will not deploy additional forces in the region.
• The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU, and until the termination of sanctions, the US Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.
• The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the implementation of this MOU. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiations. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.
• The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal.
• After signing this MOU and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1,4,5,10, and 11 of this MOU and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.
• The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.

Trump Signals Lebanon Visit, Voices Concern Over Israeli Strikes

Trump hinted at an upcoming diplomatic visit from Lebanon but did not clarify who would attend, alternately referring to the country’s president and prime minister and suggesting the trip could take place in “the next week or two.”

Trump also voiced sympathy for Lebanon on Wednesday while criticizing Israeli tactics, describing them as a source of tension with Netanyahu. He said he had urged Netanyahu to take a “softer touch,” rather than respond forcefully to Hezbollah-related threats.

The president said he “feels bad” for Lebanon, praising its history and cultural legacy while lamenting its decline over recent decades.

Deal Draws Criticism as Concessions Emerge

The United States and Israel launched strikes on February 28 in part to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, though President Trump’s stated goals have shifted throughout the conflict. The interim agreement pauses fighting before that objective is reached, opening a two-month window for renewed nuclear talks while granting Iran several upfront concessions.

The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions represent major concessions—going beyond the 2015 nuclear deal and potentially paving the way for up to $300 billion in post-war reconstruction funding for Iran.

The agreement is still expected to face strong opposition in Washington and could prove politically difficult for Netanyahu, who has drawn criticism in Israel as details have emerged.

“I want to see it myself,” Senator Lindsey Graham said Tuesday. “The way Iran describes it is awful. The way we describe it makes sense to me.” A day later, the South Carolina Republican signaled cautious support, saying the memorandum could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities.

Graham added on X that it remains unclear whether a verifiable nuclear deal can be reached, but argued there is “little downside to trying,” pointing to the potential economic stability from reopened shipping lanes and a ceasefire. He said expanding the Abraham Accords and normalizing ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel remain key goals that depend on reduced regional conflict.

Republican Representative Rand Paul of Kentucky wrote on X, "I've spent my career warning against regime change wars, nation-building, and endless military entanglements. The same voices now attacking Trump's Iran deal are the architects of every failed intervention of my lifetime. This war must end. I stand with President Trump on peace."

But other Republicans sharply criticized the framework. Senator Bill Cassidy said on X that Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain unchecked and warned Tehran has learned it can leverage threats to the Strait of Hormuz, calling the agreement “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.” He argued the deal trades sanctions pressure for concessions while leaving the core threat unresolved.

Senator Ted Cruz also took a tougher stance, warning against providing financial relief to Iran.

“History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is a bad idea,” Cruz said on X, arguing it is not in U.S. interests to fund the rebuilding of capabilities targeted in the strikes.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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