Iran and U.S. Sign June 15 Memorandum Granting Sanctions Relief

A memorandum of understanding signed on June 15 grants Iran sanctions relief and access to previously frozen funds held abroad. The document reverses earlier U.S. positions that had labeled some of its provisions unacceptable. The White House described the outcome as meeting American goals, while Democrats and some Republicans criticized the terms.

Israeli public opinion polls showed 11 percent of respondents believed their country won the war against Iran, and 71 percent said they did not expect the United States to protect Israeli interests in future talks. In Iran, state-aligned media presented the agreement as a success. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran achieved through negotiation what it had sought through military action.

Members of Parliament called for Abbas Araghchi to be barred from direct contact with U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff and demanded that Parliament review the text before signing. Mahmoud Nabavian criticized provisions that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and leave timelines for sanctions relief and U.S. troop withdrawal unclear.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei approved the deal but stated he held a different view from the negotiators and conditioned final acceptance on the rejection of further U.S. demands.

A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that took effect on Friday was reported broken within minutes. Israel has maintained that its forces will remain in southern Lebanon as long as its security requires. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday in response to continued Israeli operations in Lebanon.

The memorandum does not address Iranian support for allied groups or its ballistic missile program.