According to Axios, the United States, Iran, and intermediary countries are discussing the possibility of remotely signing a memorandum of understanding as early as Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — rather than waiting for the previously planned in-person ceremony on Friday. A diplomat from one of the mediating countries and a second source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the talks.
Electronic Signing and Immediate Implementation
If the remote signing proceeds, it would be conducted electronically. Key provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz would enter into force immediately, and the White House may finally release the full text of the agreement. Diplomatic sources said the push to accelerate the timeline aims to open the Strait of Hormuz earlier than Friday — a goal both Washington and Tehran reportedly support.
Pressure to Publish the Text
Political pressure on the White House to disclose the memorandum’s text is another factor under discussion. The source familiar with negotiations claimed Iran had insisted the document remain unpublished until after the formal signing — and denied that the White House was yielding to political pressure. Still, the diplomatic source suggested the text could be released at some point on Wednesday.
No Final Decision Yet
As of Wednesday morning, no final decision had been made on changing the signing date. Even if the timing shifts, the scheduled meeting between U.S. and Iranian delegations — led by U.S. Vice President Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf — will still take place as planned on Friday in Switzerland, according to sources.
Next Steps: Nuclear Talks Expected
The Friday meeting is expected to include discussions on launching formal negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Conflicting Reports on Sunday Signing
A senior U.S. government official told reporters that President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Speaker Ghalibaf had already signed the agreement electronically on Sunday. However, the diplomat contradicted that claim, stating no such signing had occurred. The other source, however, affirmed it did happen — describing it as a ‘second signing.’ It remains unclear why two separate electronic signatures would be necessary.
The White House has maintained since Sunday that Iran’s opening of the Strait and the lifting of U.S. sanctions will only begin on Friday, following the official signing ceremony — though the diplomat noted those measures could be advanced if the agreement is signed earlier.