PARIS / TEHRAN — In a historic diplomatic breakthrough, U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have formally signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending hostilities and establishing a region-wide ceasefire. Signed on June 18th—with Trump finalizing the document alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris—the historic agreement reopens the strategic Strait of Hormuz to normal navigation. It also sets off a critical 60-day countdown to negotiate a permanent, comprehensive peace deal.

However, the fragile breakthrough is already testing new “red lines” as Tehran warns Washington against pushing excessive demands. Following the signing, Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, delivered a sharp, televised warning to the United States. Ghalibaf declared that while Iran stands ready to pursue a lasting settlement, any bad-faith actions or attempts by Washington to impose new conditions would face a “crushing response.”

“If they wish to tread that path again, they will receive an even harder slap,” Ghalibaf warned, referencing past military confrontations. He emphasized that the success of the agreement relies strictly on mutual compliance and respect, rather than unilateral pressure tactics.

Despite the initial de-escalation, severe diplomatic and political hurdles threaten to derail the upcoming rounds of negotiations within the tight two-month window. Central points of contention include the fate of Iran’s nuclear program and the timeline for sanctions relief. While President Trump asserted that Iran has pledged never to develop a nuclear weapon, the U.S. demand for Iran to destroy or export its near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile has been flatly rejected by Tehran. Instead, Iranian negotiators are reportedly only open to diluting their enriched uranium.

Furthermore, a narrative war has erupted regarding the economic parameters of the deal. Speaker Ghalibaf claimed the MoU envisions a massive $300 billion economic development and reconstruction initiative for Iran to compensate for damages. U.S. officials, however, have quickly pushed back on this interpretation, clarifying that any future financial benefits, sanctions waivers for oil sales, or access to frozen assets remain strictly tied to step-by-step Iranian compliance.

Complicating matters further is external regional friction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly stated that Israel is not bound by any U.S.-Iran agreement, and Israeli forces warn they will continue operations in southern Lebanon—a presence Iran says could engulf the region and ruin the fragile peace.

As seasoned Iranian negotiators prepare to face off against a fast-moving Trump administration, experts remain highly skeptical that 60 days will be enough to resolve decades of deep-rooted distrust.