The memorandum of understanding with Iran was intended to lay out a precise framework that would lead to a final peace agreement that secured American interests and created long-term regional stability. However, U.S. negotiators in Qatar may find that their Iranian counterparts are discussing a very different document.

The U.S. posture is that the ceasefire with Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz, dismantles Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and forces Tehran to curb its regional aggression. Iran was trying to rewrite the agreement almost before the ink was dry.