Reactions and statements from the international community
In a statement, former President Donald Trump discussed the Iran nuclear deal, asserting that his approach would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, in contrast to what he views as former President Obama's flawed agreement.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned President Trump and other senior officials that U.S. intelligence indicates significant doubt regarding Iran's willingness to accept nuclear concessions in a final agreement, according to Axios. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also expressed concerns about the proposed memorandum of understanding, while Vice President Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner advocated for proceeding with the deal.
On June 16, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi announced that a memorandum of understanding to end the war with the United States was signed electronically on June 14, and will be formally signed on Friday, with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and U.S. Vice President JD Vance present. The agreement includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the U.S. naval blockade of Iran's ports, followed by 60 days of negotiations on nuclear issues.
Hassan Qashqavi, a member of the Majlis's Security Council, stated in a recent interview with Gamanhzinha that the understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran is "in complete harmony" and stressed that the Supreme Leader's role is well-defined within the legal system.
On Tuesday, June 16, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the war has officially ended across all fronts since Monday morning and that a new round of Iran-U.S. negotiations will begin in Switzerland on Friday. Araghchi warned Israel that any further attacks on Lebanon would violate the understanding between Tehran and Washington, and stressed that the end of the war includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.
The Kayhan newspaper, supervised by the Islamic Republic's representative of the leader, reported that Mojtaba Khamenei has not mentioned the nuclear issue in his messages since his appointment and suggested that the Islamic Republic considers the nuclear negotiations file closed following attacks by the United States and Israel.
Negahedar Hosseinpour, the Special Deputy of Kharg Island, stated on Tuesday, June 16, that during the 40-day war between the United States and Israel against Iran, 548 missiles struck Kharg Island, with 50 strikes occurring on March 16. Despite these attacks, oil exports from the island continued uninterrupted.
Ali Nikzad, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, stated at a nighttime gathering that the Islamic Republic has no trust in America and Israel, and will make major national decisions under the guidance of Mojtaba Khamenei. He also asserted that the Iranian nation and its armed forces have proven America's attempts to force the Islamic Republic to surrender to be incorrect.
The CEO of Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines announced that shipowners will avoid resuming passage through the Strait of Hormuz for several weeks, until the US and the Islamic Republic regime's agreement is fully implemented and security conditions improve. Jotaro Tamura stated that rebuilding trust and ensuring visible improvements in the strait's operational conditions will take at least a few weeks to a month.
The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that the CEO of the world's largest tanker operating company stated shipowners will avoid resuming passage through the Strait of Hormuz for several weeks, pending confirmation of improved conditions following the US-Iran agreement. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines CEO Jotaro Tamura emphasized that shipping companies need tangible evidence of safety before resuming transit through the strait.
On June 15 and early June 16, three explosions occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly related to traffic management in the strategic waterway.
Following the announcement of a mutual understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic, critics in Iran have denounced the agreement, asserting that it fails to address the demands of the Iranian people and accuses the U.S. government of prioritizing national interests over supporting protesters.
