How Do Electronic Signatures Work in International Agreements?

News Desk 

Islamabad: The electronic signing of the recently announced US-Iran peace agreement has sparked public interest in how digital signatures work and why they are increasingly being used for important international agreements.

According to the announcement, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed the Memorandum of Understanding related to the historic peace agreement. 

President Trump reportedly signed the document while in France, President Pezeshkian signed it from Tehran, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed it from Islamabad in his role as mediator.

The development has prompted many people to ask what an electronic signature is and how it differs from a traditional handwritten signature.

What Is an Electronic Signature?

In simple terms, an electronic signature is a modern method of accepting or approving a document, form, or agreement through a computer or the internet.

Unlike traditional agreements, where all parties are required to meet in person and sign the same physical document, electronic signatures allow individuals to complete the process remotely while maintaining the same legal effect.

Traditionally, major agreements are signed during formal ceremonies attended by senior officials and diplomats. Electronic signatures, however, offer the advantage of speed and convenience, allowing agreements to be finalized without requiring participants to be physically present in the same location.

They can also help avoid political sensitivities that may arise when rival leaders are required to meet face-to-face.

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Valid?

In practice, there is generally no legal distinction between a valid electronic signature and a handwritten signature.

Under legislation enacted in the United States in 2000, as well as regulations adopted by the European Union, electronic and digital signatures cannot be rejected solely because they are not written on paper.

As a result, electronic signatures are widely recognized as legally valid for a broad range of official, commercial and governmental purposes.

How Do Electronic Signatures Work?

Electronic signatures can take several forms depending on the level of security required.

The simplest method involves typing a name at the end of a document, attaching a scanned image of a handwritten signature, or clicking an online button marked “I Agree” or “I Accept.” These methods are commonly used for routine forms and business transactions.

For high-level agreements involving governments or major institutions, more advanced technologies are typically employed.

These include digital signatures that use encryption, secret keys and digital certificates to verify the identity of the signer and ensure that no part of the document has been altered after signing.

Some systems also use biometric verification methods such as fingerprints, facial recognition or eye scans. These technologies provide an additional layer of security and make it extremely difficult to challenge the authenticity of a signature.

Why Were Leaders Seen Signing Paper Copies?

Despite the agreement being described as electronically signed, footage released to the media showed the leaders signing physical documents.

Experts note that this is a common practice in international diplomacy.

Typically, digital copies of an agreement are exchanged electronically among the parties. Each participant may then print a copy, sign it symbolically and return a scanned version to the other side. The legal process is completed electronically, while the signing ceremony provides visual confirmation that the agreement has been finalized.

Such images and videos are often intended for public communication, allowing governments to demonstrate that an agreement has been formally concluded.

As governments and businesses increasingly adopt paperless systems, electronic and digital signatures have become an essential tool for conducting official affairs efficiently while maintaining legal validity and security.