US Refuses Israel Access to Draft US-Iran MoU Ahead of Signing
The United States government has reportedly rejected a request from its close ally Israel to view the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed with Iran, prior to its signing. The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday (19/6).
Reports from Israeli media and journalists, as covered by TRT World on Wednesday (17/6/2026), indicate that Washington did not provide the draft MoU concerning the peace deal with Tehran to Israel before the signing in Switzerland. This is reported to have further strained relations between the leaders of the two countries, who are at odds over the peace deal with Iran and the conflict in Lebanon.
“The United States denied Israel’s request to see the newly agreed Memorandum of Understanding before the signing ceremony, which is expected to take place in Switzerland this weekend,” reported Israeli media outlet The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday (16/6). Diplomatic correspondent for Israeli television station i24NEWS, Guy Azriel, also confirmed the report. “I can now confirm that Israel officially requested access to the Iran MoU and was denied. A remarkable development between these close allies on an issue of great importance to national security,” Azriel wrote in a social media post.
The US-Iran MoU, according to the TRT World report, has been signed electronically by US President Donald Trump, US Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The provisions of the MoU remain unclear, although Iran and mediator Pakistan have stated the deal provides for a permanent cessation of fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
The TRT World report states that the MoU provides for the end of the US naval blockade and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, in return for Tehran’s pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons. The MoU also launches follow-up talks within 60 days to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme and de-escalation, accompanied by sanctions relief.
There has been no immediate response from the White House or Israel regarding the reports. This information emerged after President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly clashed over Israel’s refusal to limit military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The cessation of hostilities was a key demand from Iran in negotiations with the US, mediated by Pakistan.
Netanyahu, in a press conference on Monday (15/6), explicitly stated that Israel “does not know the terms” of the US-Iran agreement and that he “does not yet know what is written in the deal”. He also stressed that Israel was excluded from the negotiations and is not a signatory, therefore it is not bound by the peace agreement.