A historical document was signed at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France. Today i.e. on June 18, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian digitally signed the MoU to end the war that started on February 28, 2026. More than 7,000 lives were lost in this war, the Strait of Hormuz was closed and the world economy was shaken. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif mediated this ‘Islamabad MoU’. But will this agreement really end the war, should it be considered a victory or defeat and will there really be peace…

Four months of war: the complete picture in figures

This war started on 28 February 2026 with America and Israel’s attack on Iran. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones across the region and closed the Strait of Hormuz. America imposed naval blockade on Iranian ports…

• Total deaths: According to Israeli Defense Forces estimates, about 6,000 Iranians were killed. At the same time, according to Iranian officials, by April 26, 3,468 people had been killed in Iran alone, of which about 40% were civilians.
• American losses: 13 American soldiers were killed and more than 200 were injured. According to media reports, the total number of American dead and injured is 426.
• US spending: According to Iran Cost Ticker, America has spent 1.2 trillion dollars in this war. American ammunition reserves were depleted in large quantities.
• oil prices: Due to the closure of Hormuz, worldwide oil prices had reached $ 119 per barrel.

There was a temporary ceasefire in April 2026, but even after that the firing continued from both sides.

14 Point MoU: What is special in this agreement?

This 14-point agreement is a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU). Trump signed it during a candlelight dinner at the Versailles Palace in France after the G7 summit. Digitally signed by Iranian President Pezeshkian. The formal ceremony is expected to take place in Switzerland on 19 June:

1. Will end the war on all fronts. Will not take military action.
2. Will respect each other’s sovereignty and will not interfere in internal affairs.
3. Will try to complete negotiations on the final agreement within 60 days.
4. America and its allies will create a fund of 300 billion dollars for the reconstruction of Iran.
5. The US will end the maritime blockade and restore normal traffic in 30 days.
6. Iran will normalize the movement of merchant ships in Hormuz in 30 days.
7. America will work towards lifting the United Nations, IAEA and its sanctions on Iran.
8. Iran will never make nuclear weapons.
9. Iran will not make changes in its nuclear program until the final agreement, America will not impose new sanctions.
10. America will exempt Iranian oil, petrochemical products and related services.
11. Iran’s frozen assets and funds will be released.
12. A special mechanism will be created to monitor compliance with the agreement.
13. The remaining issues will be discussed after economic relief and restoration of maritime traffic.
14. The final agreement will be approved by the United Nations Security Council.

Why do both countries want to claim victory?

Iran says it won

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said that this agreement shows America’s failure. Hezbollah Chief Naim Qasim called it a ‘big victory’ for Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazim Gharibabadi had already said that the enemy was defeated in all its evil intentions. Iran’s victory also because:

• American blockade and sanctions are being lifted.
• Lebanon has also been included in the agreement.
• Iran got a big role in the management of Hormuz.
• Reconstruction fund of 300 billion dollars is available.

Why is America saying that it won?

Trump has described the agreement as very strong. He said that this agreement determines that Iran will never be able to make 99.9% nuclear weapons. Victory for America:

• Hormuz opens, which will provide relief to the world economy.
• Iran’s nuclear program came under the supervision of IAEA.
• The war ended after the death of 13 American soldiers.
• America did not have to contribute to the reconstruction fund.

Is this agreement a ‘full stop’ or just a ‘brake’?

No, at least not yet. This agreement is a ‘brake’, not a ‘full stop’. Foreign affairs expert and BHU professor Priyankar Upadhyay gives 5 big reasons:

1. Trump’s threats- ‘We will bomb’

Just hours before signing the agreement, Trump had said that if Iran broke any condition, there would be attacks again. Interestingly, in the first point of the agreement, both sides had promised to avoid ‘threat of use of force’ against each other. That means Trump himself violated the agreement.

2. Israel free from agreement

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir clearly said, ‘Israel is not a part of this agreement. He is not tied to it in any way. Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Army Chief are not happy with this agreement. Israeli leaders say that this agreement does not reflect the fundamental security threats posed by Iran. Israel has clearly said that it will not withdraw its forces from Lebanon, while Iran has said that continuing Israeli military operations in Lebanon would be a ‘violation’ of the agreement.

3. Many unresolved issues got complicated

• It is extremely difficult to reach a final agreement in 60 days, while 4 important issues remain unresolved:
• Will there be a fee for passing through Hormuz?
• Will Israel withdraw from Lebanon?
• How much of Iran’s frozen assets will be released?
• How and with whom will the $300 billion fund be filled?

4. Opposition from US senators

Senator Bill Cassidy of Trump’s own Republican Party called it the biggest foreign policy mistake of decades. He says that Iran’s desire to acquire a nuclear bomb will not end. Iran learned that threatening Hormuz works.

5. Ceasefire has been broken earlier also

There was also a ceasefire in April 2026, but even after that the firing continued from both sides. Israel violated the ceasefire by attacking Iran several times. America had deployed forces along the Strait of Hormuz.

So now will there be war or not?

Priyankar Upadhyay says, ‘This agreement is a big step to stop the war, but it is not the final peace. The next 60 days will decide what happens next. If a final agreement is reached within 60 days, then perhaps this could become a historic peace agreement. Hormuz will open, oil prices will stabilize, Iran’s economy will get relief and thousands more lives will be saved.

Priyankar Upadhyay believes that if an agreement is not reached within 60 days or any party breaks the terms, then Trump has already warned to launch attacks. Israel is not bound by this agreement, so it can attack Lebanon at any time.

There are many points in the agreement which can be understood in different ways. These can lead to misunderstandings and miscalculations, which can somehow reignite the conflict. The real test is starting now i.e. the clock of 60 days of talks has started from June 18, 2026.