Washington — A memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran was signed digitally on Sunday, marking an apparent step toward resolving months of hostilities. U.S. officials said a formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Switzerland. While the agreement was hailed by President Donald Trump as a breakthrough, key details of the deal remain unclear more than a day after the announcement.

Both sides have presented conflicting accounts of the terms, reflecting significant unresolved issues. Iran asserted it would continue controlling traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage, representing a notable change from the situation prior to the conflict. However, White House officials denied this claim.

Disputes also persist over whether future negotiations will address Iran’s ballistic missile program. Additionally, there is disagreement about whether the agreement includes provisions related to Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. U.S. officials have dismissed Iranian assertions that the United States would immediately lift sanctions as premature or misleading.

Nonetheless, a senior U.S. official later indicated that some sanctions relief might be possible early in the process. The official said the United States is prepared to release frozen Iranian funds and ease certain sanctions, contingent on reciprocal actions from Iran demonstrating compliance with the agreement’s commitments.

The memorandum of understanding, serving as a preliminary framework, stops short of resolving all outstanding security and political questions, leaving the path forward somewhat vague. Both governments have characterized the accord as a positive development, yet its final form and implementation remain uncertain as further negotiations continue.