Online Desk 

The United States and Iran have taken a significant step toward ending their prolonged conflict, with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at paving the way for a permanent peace agreement. The document was signed a day earlier than originally scheduled, giving fresh momentum to efforts to normalize relations between the two countries.

President Trump signed the agreement while in the historic Palace of Versailles in Paris, where he is attending the G7 Summit. Speaking to reporters after the signing, he described the memorandum as a major milestone in efforts to end hostilities and advance the peace process.

French President Emmanuel Macron later shared a video of Trump signing the document on the social media platform X, confirming that the United States and Iran had formally endorsed the agreement.

Iran also confirmed the development on the same day. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the state-run IRNA news agency that President Masoud Pezeshkian had signed the memorandum electronically. He said the immediate priority would now be ensuring the agreement is properly implemented and closely monitored.

Baghaei noted that the signatures of both heads of state significantly strengthen the document's political weight, making it more difficult for either side to disregard its commitments. He added that the decision to have the presidents personally endorse the agreement reflected lessons learned from previous failed diplomatic efforts.

The formal signing ceremony had originally been scheduled for Friday in Lucerne, Switzerland, with US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expected to attend. Instead, the two presidents completed the signing electronically from separate locations ahead of schedule.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a mediating role in the negotiations, announced on X that the agreement is expected to take effect immediately.

Earlier, the United States released a draft containing 14 key provisions of the proposed memorandum. The framework includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, easing certain economic sanctions imposed on Iran, and launching future negotiations aimed at resolving disputes over Tehran's nuclear programme.

With the memorandum now signed, both countries are expected to enter a 60-day negotiation period to finalize the terms of a comprehensive peace agreement. During this time, negotiators will seek to resolve outstanding issues and establish the framework for a lasting settlement.