The US Vice President suggested that differences in media freedom between Washington and the mediators contributed to the delay in publishing the 14-point agreement.

US Vice President JD Vance has drawn attention to Pakistan's press freedom record while explaining why the Trump administration delayed releasing the full text of the recently signed US-Iran peace agreement, known as the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding".

Speaking on The New York Times podcast Interesting Times with Ross Douthat, Vance said the administration had intended to publish the agreement earlier but suggested that differences in transparency among the countries involved in the mediation process contributed to the delay.

Question of Political Culture

Responding to questions about the timing of the deal's publication, Vance argued that Pakistan and Qatar, which played key roles in facilitating the agreement, do not have the same constitutional protections for freedom of speech and the press as the United States.

"So first of all, we actually really want to get this out because it's hard to have the conversation without the full text," Vance said. "And I think part of the misalignment here is that in the Pakistani and Qatari systems, they don't quite have the First Amendment and freedom of the press. And so there isn't this expectation that the text is going to be out there for the American people to actually interrogate and look at and analyze and understand for themselves".

The remarks came after days of speculation about the contents of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, which American officials later disclosed ahead of planned negotiations in Switzerland.

The Islamabad Memorandum

The US and Iran signed the agreement on Wednesday, bringing an end to more than 100 days of conflict in West Asia. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was the first to announce on social media that the two sides had reached a ceasefire agreement, which was later named the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding".

Pakistan and Qatar both played important roles in facilitating the agreement. According to a senior US official quoted by Bloomberg, discussions with Pakistani authorities and separate private talks with Qatari officials helped Washington better understand Iran's political system and move the negotiations forward. A late intervention by Qatar was reportedly crucial in securing the temporary agreement.

However, uncertainty remained after the announcement because the full text of the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding was not immediately released.

Key Elements of the Deal

Vance highlighted key elements of the agreement, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the formal cessation of Iranian military action, which he described as a significant step towards de-escalation.

The interim agreement is aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while also restarting negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. The deal allows Iran to resume unrestricted oil exports, providing an immediate economic benefit. Under the terms, both countries have largely returned to the position they were in before the conflict escalated around three and a half months ago.

Confusion and Diplomatic Delays

The release of the agreement has already been marked by confusion and diplomatic delays. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif postponed a planned trip to Switzerland for a formal US-Iran peace deal ceremony after the Memorandum of Understanding was signed electronically and entered into force.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar later confirmed that the Switzerland ceremony had been cancelled because the agreement had already been signed remotely. The uncertainty deepened after Sharif edited an earlier social media post that had referred to Pakistan and Qatar hosting an official ceremony in Switzerland.

Renewed Focus on Pakistan's Press Freedom Record

Vance's comments have renewed focus on Pakistan's standing in international press freedom. Pakistan has long faced criticism from media watchdogs and human rights organisations over restrictions on journalists, pressure on media outlets and legal measures affecting freedom of expression.

The debate has intensified following constitutional and political changes introduced in Pakistan in late 2025, which critics argue reduced institutional checks and weakened judicial oversight. While Pakistani authorities maintain that freedom of expression is protected under the constitution, rights groups continue to raise concerns about the operating environment for journalists and independent media organisations.

Next Phase of Diplomacy

The next phase of diplomacy is expected to begin on Saturday, when US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are due to meet in Switzerland for a new 60-day round of negotiations. US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is also reportedly already in Switzerland.

However, the deal has faced an immediate challenge as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues in southern Lebanon. The memorandum calls for the termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and stresses respect for the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Reports of fresh Israeli strikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks have complicated efforts to move forward with negotiations. Planned talks in Switzerland were delayed after Iranian officials declined to travel, insisting that the violence in Lebanon must stop before further discussions can take place.