Iran has formally declared it no longer considers itself bound by the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the United States, citing what it calls systematic violations including a naval blockade. The agreement, inked around June 17, 2026, was supposed to de-escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s UN ambassador stated that Tehran would “no longer be bound” by the MoU if the US continues what it characterizes as violations of the deal’s terms. The agreement had called for the cessation of military operations and US naval blockades in exchange for commitments on commercial shipping navigation and temporary relief on Iranian oil sanctions.
What the MoU was supposed to do
The MoU aimed to ease regional tensions by creating a framework where the US would lift its blockade and provide temporary sanctions relief on Iranian oil. In return, Iran committed to facilitating safe passage for commercial shipping through the strait.
The US military did initially lift the blockade following the agreement. But a series of tanker attacks, which the US attributed to Iranian-linked actors, led Washington to reimpose sanctions and signal that the blockade could return.
