President Says He Will Read Memorandum Word-for-Word at Press Conference to Ensure Accurate Reporting Ahead of Formal Signing
President Donald Trump said he plans to hold a press conference to publicly read the memorandum of understanding with Iran in its entirety, arguing that full disclosure would help ensure accurate media coverage of the agreement.
Trump announced his intention to release every detail of the deal while meeting with world leaders at the G-7 summit in France on Tuesday.
“I will actually not only release it, I'll probably have a press conference and read it to you word-by-word, so that the press covers it accurately, because ... it's a very important document,” Trump said.
According to Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, the memorandum of understanding will be published following its formal signing.
In explaining his decision to fully disclose the agreement, Trump drew a contrast with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark 2015 accord between Iran and major world powers that imposed significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for broad relief from international economic sanctions.
Trump withdrew the United States from the JCPOA, commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, in 2018, arguing that it failed to address Iran’s missile program and regional influence. His administration subsequently reimposed sanctions on Iran.
“And, unlike Obama, who could have destroyed the Middle East with a horrible JCPOA, it is the worst agreement. That was a road to a nuclear weapon. Mine is a wall against a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Vice President JD Vance also emphasized the distinction between the two agreements, saying the current deal is designed to ensure that Tehran does not rebuild its nuclear program, while describing the JCPOA as “fundamentally about bribing them” to halt a nuclear program that was already underway.
Vance also stressed that Tehran “doesn't get a dime” unless it fulfills its obligations under the agreement.
The interim deal would extend a fragile ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked since the United States and Israel launched attacks in February. Trump said the vital global oil shipping route would be reopened and that he had ordered the lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports.
A formal signing ceremony for the agreement is scheduled to take place in Geneva on June 19.
More difficult areas of dispute, including Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. sanctions, will be addressed during technical negotiations over the 60 days following the formal signing.
