Donald Trump discussed a newly signed memorandum of understanding with Iran in an interview released June 9, 2026 [1].
The agreement seeks to stabilize a volatile region by ending the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, while preventing a broader war between Iran and Israel [2, 3].
In the interview conducted by Axios for CNN, Trump said the memorandum was intended to ensure the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains open for shipping [1, 2]. He said the agreement is the only way to keep the waterway open [2].
Trump said that as part of the deal, Iran has agreed not to develop nuclear weapons [1]. He also said the agreement has limits [2].
U.S. officials said the memorandum of understanding ends the war between the United States and Iran [3]. However, the deal has drawn political criticism. One Democratic senator said Trump had waved the white flag and surrendered in the Iran war [4].
Trump said he is standing between Iran and Israel to prevent a new open war [5]. The memorandum comes as the U.S. attempts to navigate regional tensions and secure critical maritime trade routes [2, 5].
“Iran has agreed not to develop nuclear weapons.”
This memorandum represents a shift toward diplomatic stabilization in the Middle East. By focusing on the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear proliferation, the agreement targets the two most critical triggers for global economic instability and regional escalation. The tension between the U.S. officials' description of an end to the war and the political characterization of 'surrender' suggests the deal will be a central point of contention in U.S. foreign policy debates.
