Donald Trump is reportedly close to terminating the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran [1].
A formal end to this agreement would signal a significant shift in diplomatic relations and could escalate tensions in a volatile region. The move would likely dismantle existing frameworks designed to manage conflict and foster stability between the two nations.
Mohamed El‑Sharkawy, a professor of international conflict resolution, discussed the potential move in a recent analysis [1]. He said the current trajectory of U.S. policy is an imminent conclusion to the diplomatic arrangement.
"Donald Trump is about to write a death certificate for the memorandum of understanding with Iran," El‑Sharkawy said [1].
The professor's assessment suggests that the U.S. administration is moving toward a definitive break from the previous understanding. Such a decision would remove a critical layer of communication, and formal agreement, that has historically governed specific interactions between Washington and Tehran.
While the administration has not issued a formal decree, the rhetoric and strategic positioning described by El‑Sharkawy indicate a pivot toward a more aggressive posture. This shift reflects a broader pattern of revisiting and discarding international agreements that the current administration deems ineffective or detrimental to U.S. interests.
The potential collapse of the memorandum could trigger a series of retaliatory measures or a total freeze in diplomatic channels. Experts in conflict resolution said that the absence of a formal understanding often leaves room for miscalculation and unintended escalation during periods of high political tension.
“Donald Trump is about to write a death certificate for the memorandum of understanding with Iran.”
The termination of a memorandum of understanding typically removes the 'guardrails' of a diplomatic relationship. If the U.S. formally ends this agreement, it reduces the predictability of interactions with Iran, potentially increasing the risk of military or economic escalation as both nations move away from negotiated frameworks toward unilateral pressure or confrontation.
