The official said on Monday that the document had been signed by US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The reported agreement has triggered widespread discussion in political circles in both Washington and Tehran, given the long-standing tensions that have defined relations between the two nations for decades.

Observers view the signing of the MoU by senior leaders from both sides as a notable diplomatic step. However, details regarding the contents of the agreement and its implementation have not yet been made public.

The development has drawn international attention, with analysts closely watching how the understanding could influence future US-Iran relations and broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.

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In the United States, nearly 61% of Indian students applying for F-1 visa in 2025 were rejected. This marks a steep rise from 36% in 2023 and 53% in 2024, indicating that securing a US student visa has become significantly tougher.

Experts say the trend is not solely based on merit, pointing to a “geography factor” influencing decisions. While European applicants reportedly enjoy approval rates above 90%, Indian students are facing disproportionately higher rejections, raising concerns about regional disparity in visa processing.

Australia, Canada also tighten norms

In Australia, around 40% of Indian student visa applications were rejected in early 2026. The country has placed India in a higher-risk category (EL3), requiring stricter financial proof, detailed academic records, and a strong “Genuine Student” statement.

Meanwhile, Canada has reduced study permits by 64% in 2025 and plans an additional 7% cut in 2026. The government has introduced caps to limit the number of international students, further shrinking opportunities.

Why are rejections increasing?

According to experts, visa decisions are now influenced by broader immigration concerns, including:

Risk of overstaying

Domestic political pressures

Stricter migration controls

Students from South Asian countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are facing heightened scrutiny.

Impact on students and industry

The tightening policies are already affecting the study-abroad ecosystem. Businesses offering overseas education services have reported a 35–40% decline, while uncertainty among students continues to grow.

However, experts advise students to stay prepared by strengthening documentation, maintaining transparency in applications, and ensuring compliance with updated visa requirements rather than being discouraged by the trend.

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The strikes followed the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sharply escalating tensions in West Asia.

US President Donald Trump claimed that nine Iranian naval vessels were destroyed in the operation. He also indicated readiness to engage with Iran’s new leadership once it is formed.

Conflict spreads across region

The confrontation has expanded beyond the US, Israel and Iran. Iran-backed Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel, prompting retaliatory Israeli strikes on Beirut in Lebanon.

Tensions have also intensified in Gulf nations. Civilian casualties were reported in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain after Iranian missiles landed in parts of these countries. In Israel, nine people were killed in an attack on a synagogue.

European powers including the United Kingdom, France and Germany have signalled support for Washington, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

Tehran’s streets remained largely deserted as residents stayed indoors amid fears of further air raids. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a new Supreme Leader could be appointed within the next one to two days.

Iran warned that the US and Israel had crossed a “red line” and vowed severe retaliation. Trump responded that any further Iranian action would be met with unprecedented force.

Modi calls for dialogue

Amid rising hostilities in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that India has consistently supported resolving global disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.

Addressing a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Modi described the situation as a matter of serious concern.

“India’s stand has always been clear. We have consistently advocated peace and stability. When two democracies stand together, the voice of peace becomes stronger,” he said.

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The escalation comes days after the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an incident that has sharply intensified hostilities in the region.

Trump claims major damage

US President Donald Trump claimed that nine Iranian naval vessels were destroyed in the strikes. He also indicated readiness to engage with Iran’s new leadership once it is in place.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a new Supreme Leader could be appointed within a day or two.

Conflict widens beyond three nations

The conflict has expanded beyond the US, Israel and Iran. Iran-backed Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes on Beirut, Lebanon.

Missile incidents were also reported in Gulf nations including the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, with civilian casualties confirmed. In Israel, nine people were killed in an attack on a synagogue.

European powers including the UK, France and Germany have signalled support for the US position, raising concerns of a broader regional confrontation.

Tehran on edge

Streets in Tehran remained largely deserted as residents stayed indoors amid fears of further air raids. Iranian authorities warned the US and Israel of severe retaliation, accusing them of crossing a “red line”.

In response, Trump said any Iranian retaliation would invite a force “the world has never seen before”.

Oil markets rattled

The escalating conflict has disrupted global energy supply chains. Attacks near the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil passes — have restricted commercial shipping.

As a result, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 7.3% to $72 per barrel, while Brent crude surged 7.8% to $78.55 per barrel on Monday.

Experts warn that if tensions persist, consumers worldwide may face rising fuel and commodity prices in the coming days.

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