The United States and Iran have announced a deal to end the war in the Middle East, following intensive negotiations brokered by Pakistan. The deal calls for a halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the start of negotiations within 60 days for a final agreement. At the same time, Donald Trump is warning Tehran that Washington will return with military pressure if there is no satisfactory agreement on its nuclear program.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that the United States and Iran have reached a "peace agreement" that will mark the end of military operations on "all" fronts, "including Lebanon."
According to him, the agreement will be officially signed on Friday, June 19, in Geneva, Switzerland, following a series of meetings that will take place during the week to prepare for its implementation.
"Now that the agreement has been reached, the mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. These preliminary discussions on the implementation of the agreement will lay the foundation for technical talks and then the formal signing ceremony," the Pakistani prime minister, who is seen as a key mediator in the effort to end the conflict that began with the US-Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic on February 28, said via X.
Describing what led up to the final agreement, Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Qatari mediators held “nearly 14 to 15 hours of long talks.” “This negotiation process took a long time,” Kazem Gharibabadi told Iranian state media on Monday. “A Qatari delegation was in Tehran yesterday to conclude discussions on the text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States. There were nearly 14 to 15 hours of long talks, during which we presented the Islamic Republic of Iran’s final amendments to the text. Of course, these amendments were accepted and the text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was finalized.”
The deal, however, was announced after midnight on Sunday, Iranian time, because – according to a US official – Tehran did not want it announced on Trump's birthday.
As CNN points out, Sharif's announcement was made a few minutes after midnight on Sunday, so that for Iran it was Monday even though for the US it was still Sunday.
Trump's confirmation and the Strait of Hormuz
Shortly after Shabazz Sharif's announcement, Donald Trump confirmed via Truth Social that the US deal with Iran was "done."
"The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," the US president said.
Trump also announced the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
"I approve the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees and, at the same time, the immediate lifting of the American naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" he wrote.
A little later, however, the American president appeared to vary his wording, stating that the Strait of Hormuz would open "as soon as the agreement is signed on Friday," to allow time for the removal of mines.
"With the opening of the strait once the agreement is signed on Friday, to allow time for mine clearance, oil will flow again on both sides for the region and the world," he said in a later post, adding that "this great agreement will bring peace and security to the entire region."
According to a US official cited by CNN, the US military was instructed to lift the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, adding, however, that things could change between now and Friday.
Vance's presence and the possibility of Trump's move to Geneva
US Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News that he plans to attend the signing of the agreement in Switzerland.
"I intend to be there, but it is possible that the president himself will be present," he said, leaving open the possibility of Donald Trump's presence in Geneva.
The official signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 19, while until then the mediators will attempt to prepare the technical part of the agreement and the first steps of its implementation.
Iran talks about immediate end to war
On Tehran's side, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told state television that the agreement "immediately puts an end to the war."
As he said, the agreement provides for "the immediate end of the war and military operations on various fronts, including Lebanon."
The Iranian diplomat, an expert in legal issues, clarified that the protocol paves the way for negotiations within the next 60 days, with the aim of reaching a final agreement.
"Negotiations will begin within 60 days with a view to concluding a final agreement," he said, adding that "distrust remains" towards the United States.
The four axes of Tehran
Garibabadi outlined four key issues that will be raised in the negotiations.
The first concerns "the lifting of all sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran", whether unilateral primary or secondary sanctions.
The second concerns the country's nuclear energy program, while the third is linked to Iran's reconstruction and economic development.
The fourth concerns the creation of a monitoring mechanism, which will guarantee the implementation of the commitments undertaken by both sides.
The 14-point "memorandum" and frozen funds
The Iranian news agency MEHR broadcast a text that it presented as a "memorandum of understanding," that is, the 14-point protocol of agreement that the US and Iran allegedly reached.
According to the agency, one of the clauses provides for the immediate release of Iranian assets that remain frozen abroad, worth $12 billion.
The same document reportedly provides for a total of "the release of $24 billion frozen during the 60-day negotiation", which will begin after the signing of the protocol.
According to MEHR, “half of this amount will be made available to Iran before the start of negotiations.” The text had already been broadcast on Saturday, but has not been officially confirmed.
The points of the agreement according to the Iranians
– Immediate and permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon.
– US commitment not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs.
– End of the naval blockade and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.
– Withdrawal of US military forces from areas around Iran.
– Suspension of oil-related sanctions and restoration of Iran's access to its revenues.
– $300 billion in reconstruction plans/funding from the US and allies.
– 60 days of negotiations for a final agreement focusing on Iran's nuclear program and broad sanctions relief.
– Iran confirms that it will not develop nuclear weapons within the framework of the NPT.
– No new deployment of US troops or sanctions during the negotiations.
– Release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the negotiation period.
– Creation of a monitoring mechanism and approval of the final agreement by the UN Security Council.
– Iran's missile programs and support for regional allied groups will be excluded from the talks.
A US official, however, denied Iran's claim that it would receive billions of dollars in frozen funds before the start of the 60-day negotiation after the deal was signed on Friday.
"That is not true at all. This is a performance-based pay deal and no frozen funds will be released without the Iranians implementing their commitments," he told CNN.
Trump's sharp attacks on Netanyahu
In the political background of the agreement, Donald Trump lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that Israel must recognize Washington's role in reaching the agreement.
In a telephone interview with the New York Times, the American president argued that the agreement also serves Israel's interests, while emphasizing that his administration prevented a much more dangerous development in the region.
"He's a very difficult man. And, to be honest with you, he should be very grateful to us for what we did. Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn't exist for two hours," he said of Netanyahu.
According to the report, Trump has appeared increasingly annoyed in recent weeks by the Israeli prime minister's stance, as Israeli military operations in Lebanon have reportedly repeatedly jeopardized negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The US president also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their contributions to advancing the agreement.
Warning to Tehran about nuclear weapons
Despite the announcement of the agreement, Donald Trump made it clear that the issue of the Iranian nuclear program is not closed.
As he said, if Tehran does not reach an agreement in the coming weeks that is considered sufficient by Washington, the United States will consider new pressure measures.
According to him, the options that remain on the table are either the resumption of military attacks or the assumption of a broader security role in the region.
Trump has said that the US could become "the guarantor of the Middle East" in exchange for 20% of the region's revenue if there is no satisfactory progress in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
Fall in oil prices
The announcement of the deal had an immediate impact on international energy markets, with oil prices falling by about 4% after trading began in Asia.
At around 02:30 Greek time, the price of Brent North Sea, an international benchmark variety for delivery in August, fell by 4%, to $83,84 per barrel.
At the same time, the US WTI recorded a drop of 4,51%, to $81,05 per barrel, while immediately after the opening of trading the decline had reached up to 5%.
Guterres: A critical step towards peace
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the US-Iran agreement to end hostilities and open the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "critical step" towards restoring peace in the Middle East.
"This is a crucial step towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict," he stressed, according to a statement released by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
The UN chief also thanked the countries that played a mediating role, with initial mention of Pakistan.
The agreement on the G7 agenda
G7 leaders are expected to discuss the "follow-up" of the agreement starting today in Evian, France, with an emphasis on the stable opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the aim of the talks would be to assess the consequences of the agreement, support Lebanon and promote a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear and ballistic programs.
"The aim will be to see the consequences of this agreement, the support of Lebanon, the permanent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and obviously the conclusion of an agreement on Iran's nuclear energy program and ballistic missile program," he said in a video he posted on Instagram after arriving in the city on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Donald Trump and the leaders of Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan and Britain are expected to be in Evian.
The E4's stance and the prospect of sanctions being lifted
The agreement was also praised by the governments of Britain, France, Germany and Italy, the group known as the E4.
In a joint statement, the four countries reiterated that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon and declared their readiness to cooperate with the US, Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon. We are ready to work with the US, Iran and the IAEA to this end," they said.
At the same time, they expressed their readiness to proceed with "the lifting of relevant sanctions in return for clear and verifiable measures on the part of Iran regarding its nuclear energy program."
