Trump says Iran understanding will be signed digitally tomorrow, but major gaps remain

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday evening that the memorandum of understanding with Iran will be signed digitally on Sunday. He also said Iran's nuclear material will be diluted and destroyed in Iran or in the United States, stopping short of committing that enriched uranium will be removed from Iranian territory. On Truth, Trump wrote that his deal is the opposite of Barack Obama's, calling it a “wall against nuclear weapons,” and adding, “Our relationship with Iran is different and much better than previous administrations. No money will change hands.”

Despite the planned signing, key disputes remain. The American side says Washington is not giving up anything, and that any relief for Iran will depend on Tehran meeting the agreement's terms, including on the Strait of Hormuz and on the nuclear file. Under that approach, the more Iran freezes its nuclear program, closes reactors and dilutes enriched uranium, the more sanctions relief and unfrozen funds it would receive.

Iran sees the deal differently. Tehran says the nuclear issue belongs in future negotiations, not in the memorandum due to be signed. It has also not, at least in principle, abandoned its demand to charge ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, although that step would not necessarily happen immediately.

Trump was angered on Friday night by reports from Iran, dismissing them as “fake” and calling the Iranian negotiators “people without honor.” Senior US officials said the details being leaked by Iran were meant for domestic consumption and to appease hardline elements in the regime, and did not reflect the understandings reached. Trump is expected to devote part of his talks at this week's G7 summit to the issue, including meetings with the leaders of Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, plus discussions with European and other leaders on an international plan to clear naval mines and secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.