The memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has expired after the two sides failed to reach a broader peace agreement. The deal was signed on June 17 and created a 60-day period for Washington and Tehran to negotiate a long-term settlement. Pakistan played an important role in bringing the two sides together and helping broker the agreement. The MoU was designed as a temporary step toward ending the conflict and reducing tensions between the United States and Iran. The agreement included 14 points covering military operations, the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions, oil exports and economic support. One of the main parts of the agreement was an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts. The United States agreed to stop its naval blockade and said it would withdraw its forces after a final peace agreement was reached. Washington also promised to work on a major reconstruction package for Iran. The package was expected to involve billions of dollars in economic support. The US also agreed to provide sanctions relief, allow certain Iranian oil exports and help provide access to Iranian funds that had been frozen. Iran also made several commitments under the agreement. Tehran agreed to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and allow ships to move through the waterway freely for 60 days. The Strait of Hormuz was one of the most important parts of the deal because it is a major route for global oil shipments. Any restrictions on shipping through the strait can have a major effect on energy markets and countries that depend on oil imports. Iran also reaffirmed that it would not seek to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran agreed to continue negotiations over its uranium-enrichment programme as part of the wider peace process. However, the agreement began facing problems soon after it was signed. One of the biggest disagreements involved shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides disagreed over how ships should travel through the area and what security arrangements should be followed. Several ships using an Oman-backed route were targeted in late June. The incidents increased tensions and raised concerns about whether the agreement could survive. The situation then deteriorated further, with US military strikes on Iran resuming. The strikes continued for nearly two weeks and damaged hopes for a quick return to the terms of the June agreement. Instead of moving toward a final peace deal, negotiations became increasingly difficult. The 60-day period created by the MoU has now ended without the two countries reaching a comprehensive agreement. On Monday, Trump said the United States was communicating directly with officials from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps through a backchannel. This suggests that Washington and Tehran still have some form of communication despite the breakdown in formal negotiations. However, Trump's latest comments were also strongly worded. He called on Iran to raise the "white flag of surrender", showing that tensions between the two sides remain high. The expiration of the MoU does not necessarily mean that diplomacy has completely ended. Backchannel communication could still provide a way for the two countries to restart negotiations. However, the situation is now much more difficult than it was when the agreement was signed in June. The two sides must overcome disagreements over military activity, sanctions, Iran's nuclear programme and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The future of the peace process will depend on whether Washington and Tehran can return to negotiations and agree on practical steps to reduce tensions. For now, the June MoU has expired without producing the final peace agreement it was designed to achieve. The coming days could show whether the United States and Iran choose to return to diplomacy or move toward another period of confrontation.