The United States and Iran signed a memorandum on June 15, 2024 [1], to extend a cease-fire and move toward a final agreement.

This development is critical because it seeks to ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is a vital artery for global commerce, including the delivery of crude oil to Japan.

The memorandum establishes a 60-day negotiation period [1] intended to focus on Iran's nuclear program. A formal signing ceremony was scheduled for June 19, 2024 [1], in Switzerland.

Donald Trump said, "An agreement has been reached" [2]. However, the nature of the document remains a point of contention among observers. Satoshi Masuo, the JNN Middle East Bureau Chief, said, "What was agreed upon this time is merely a 'memorandum'" [2].

While some reports indicated the Strait of Hormuz would be completely opened following the June 19 ceremony, other accounts suggest a lack of finality. According to BBC Japanese, Trump met with close aides to reach a final decision, but those meetings produced no clear conclusion regarding future responses [3].

Further uncertainty persists regarding the memorandum's current status. While some sources describe it as a step toward a final agreement, other reports indicate the arrangement is interim, and remains pending final approval from the U.S. president [4].

“"An agreement has been reached"”

The shift from a formal treaty to a memorandum suggests a fragile diplomatic bridge rather than a resolved conflict. By utilizing a 60-day window, both nations are attempting to stabilize the Strait of Hormuz—a geopolitical chokepoint—without immediately resolving the core disputes surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions. The discrepancy between public optimism and internal indecision indicates that the full reopening of the waterway remains contingent on the outcome of these short-term negotiations.