Lithuanian president joins European leaders welcoming US-Iran memorandum

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Friday joined European leaders in welcoming a US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East, as Vilnius reaffirmed its commitment to transatlantic stability on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary.

Speaking alongside counterparts from Britain, France, Germany and Italy, Nausėda endorsed the agreement brokered in Geneva on 24 June 2026, describing it as “a necessary step toward lasting peace in a region that has known too much suffering.” The memorandum establishes a framework for phased sanctions relief in exchange for verified curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme and a halt to ballistic missile tests. European diplomats hailed the deal as a rare instance of multilateral consensus, with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys urging all parties to “seize this moment to build, not squander, the fragile gains of recent weeks.”

The endorsement comes as Nausėda delivered his seventh annual address to the Seimas on Tuesday, marking the midpoint of his second term. In prepared remarks, he underscored Lithuania’s role as a “bridge between Washington and Brussels,” citing the country’s 2025 accession to the EU’s common security and defence policy as evidence of Vilnius’s growing strategic weight. “Our alliances are not relics of the past,” Nausėda told lawmakers. “They are the scaffolding of our shared future.”

The convergence of diplomatic activity reflects broader European efforts to present a united front ahead of Independence Day celebrations in the United States. A joint letter published by *Politico Europe* on Friday urged Europeans to “celebrate what has held us together over the past 250 years — and, we hope, will hold us together for the next 250 years to come.” The missive, signed by senior officials from 12 EU capitals, frames the anniversary as an opportunity to reaffirm democratic values and multilateral institutions amid rising global fragmentation.

Analysts see Lithuania’s active diplomacy as part of a wider Baltic pivot toward the Middle East, driven by energy security concerns and a desire to diversify export markets. Vilnius has hosted two high-level trade delegations from Gulf states this year and is finalising a bilateral investment treaty with the United Arab Emirates. Yet the government remains cautious about over-reliance on hydrocarbon revenues, with Budrys reiterating calls for a “rules-based order” that prevents new dependencies.

As the US prepares for nationwide commemorations on 4 July 2026, Nausėda’s participation in the Iran deal signals Vilnius’s intent to remain a trusted interlocutor in Washington’s orbit. Whether the memorandum survives the coming months will depend on implementation details still under negotiation, but for now, Europe’s eastern flank has staked its claim as a constructive partner in shaping the next chapter of transatlantic relations.