U.S. and Iran reach agreement to end the war

“The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran has now been finalized,” U.S. President Donald Trump said via Truth Social, minutes after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on X that a deal had been “reached.”

“I approve the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees and, at the same time, the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” the U.S. president added. He later clarified, however, that the strategically important maritime passage would reopen “once the agreement is signed,” which is expected to take place on Friday, June 19, allowing time for the removal of naval mines in the area.

The announcement of a deal triggered a decline in oil prices, which had surged following the outbreak of war at the end of February and the closure of the strait, through which roughly one-fifth of global hydrocarbon consumption normally passes.

The agreement between the two governments provides for “the immediate end of the war and military operations across various fronts, including Lebanon,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told Iranian state television.

He added that negotiations would begin within 60 days with the aim of reaching a final agreement, noting that Tehran continues to view the United States with “suspicion.” He outlined four issues to be addressed: the lifting of all sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran, whether unilateral, primary or secondary; the nuclear energy programme; reconstruction and Iran’s economic development; and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with commitments.

The Iranian news agency Mehr published what it described as a “memorandum of understanding,” a 14-point protocol reportedly agreed between the United States and Iran. It allegedly includes the release of $24 billion in frozen funds during the 60-day negotiation period, half of which would be made available to Iran before talks begin, according to the text, which has not been officially confirmed.

The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 19, in Geneva, according to Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said he intends to attend, adding that the presence of President Trump is also “possible.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the agreement, calling it “a critical step toward the peaceful resolution of the conflict,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff claimed that Iran had imposed its “divine and steel will on its American and Zionist enemies,” stating that it had “humiliated” them and that “the enemy had no choice but to accept defeat and surrender,” according to state television.

Shortly before the agreement was announced, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned via X that “immediate” retaliation would follow an Israeli strike that killed three people in a southern suburb of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold aligned with Tehran.

“Angered”
Earlier, President Trump said via Truth Social that the Israeli strike “should not have happened, especially on this particular day,” as he was celebrating his 80th birthday. He told Axios he was “furious” and criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the attack, saying: “He has no f***ing judgment, I told him that.”

Israeli authorities, increasingly wary of any compromise that would not meet their demands regarding Iran—Israel’s sworn enemy—responded that they had retaliated against a Hezbollah drone attack on Israeli territory.

Under domestic pressure to end an increasingly unpopular war that is also destabilizing the global economy, Donald Trump is expected to discuss the developments this week with fellow G7 leaders at a summit in Évian, France.

“The goal will be to assess the consequences of this agreement, support for Lebanon, the continued reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and of course the conclusion of an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile programme,” said French President Emmanuel Macron in a video posted on Instagram after arriving in the lakeside town on Lake Geneva shortly after the announcement.

In a joint statement, the governments of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy—the so-called E4—said they were ready to ease certain sanctions in exchange for “clear and verifiable measures from Iran regarding its nuclear programme.”

The war, which broke out on February 28 with heavy bombardments by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic, has set the Middle East ablaze and cost thousands of lives, the vast majority in Iran and Lebanon.