Trump Signs Iran Deal At Versailles
The deal calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives US-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington.
PARIS – Lobster, caviar – and a surprise signature.
At a glitzy dinner in Versailles on Wednesday, June 17, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump seized the opportunity to sign an initial deal with Iran.
Guests at the late-night dinner were gobsmacked. White House officials had considered a formal signing ceremony on today, June 19, in Switzerland instead.
The deal calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives US-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to details released by both countries.
One of the attendees, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure, described the scene, which capped three days of intense diplomatic talks at a G7 summit.
“The president of the United States thanked everyone for the G7 and for the dinner, and in his speech, said, ‘And by the way, I have a good agreement with Iran, and I’m going to sign it,’” Lescure said on RTL radio.
“We literally saw (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio leave — I don’t know if he had already printed the memorandum of agreement or went to print it — and come back,” Lescure added. “We cleared the plates.”
Another French official said Rubio received a message about the deal during dinner, at around 11 p.m.
Rubio and French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot left the room to review the memorandum of understanding before bringing the document, in English and Farsi, to Trump for signing, the official said. The official was not authorized to discuss the details with the media, and spoke on condition of anonymity.
“In any case, for us, ministers of the French government, it was a surprise,” Lescure said.
In videos posted on X by Macron and a White House aide, Trump was seen seated at a table signing a paper copy of the agreement. He then handed the document and pen to Rubio as the dinner host, sitting next to him, told him: “Good job. Bravo.”
Officials and guests applauded.
As the US and French leaders left the palace, Trump casually announced to reporters as he was getting into his car: “We signed in Versailles.”
