US, Iran Reach Historic Agreement to End War, Signing Scheduled for Friday
US and Iranian officials announced a significant framework to conclude their ongoing conflict, marking a pivotal moment in international relations. The agreement includes a cessation of the US blockade on Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with an official signing set for Friday in Switzerland.
Preliminary Pact and Economic Implications
This preliminary agreement has already influenced global markets, leading to a drop in oil prices. The deal does not resolve the complexities surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, which will be subject to further negotiations. US President Donald Trump confirmed the completion of the deal on his Truth Social platform, stating it was finalized around 5:30 PM ET on Sunday.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who acted as a mediator, announced that a deal had been reached early Monday local time. The specific terms remain undisclosed, but Sharif indicated that the pact calls for “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
Military Operations and Regional Tensions
Lebanon has been a contentious issue in the negotiations. Despite calls from Trump and other leaders for a ceasefire, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have continued. The secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council declared that all military operations, including those in Lebanon, would cease starting Monday night.
Israel has not publicly responded to the announcement, maintaining that it was not involved in the US-Iran discussions.
Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil and gas supplies, would reopen on Friday. He also ordered the end of the US blockade on Iranian ports. Following this news, Brent crude futures fell by 4% in early trading, while US West Texas Intermediate dropped over 4.6%. Asian stock markets reacted positively to the announcement.
Matthew Miller, a former spokesperson for the Biden administration’s State Department, noted that Trump made significant concessions to Iran, returning to a status quo prior to the conflict. He expressed concerns about the lack of assurances regarding Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing that Iran has demonstrated its ability to leverage the global economy for concessions.
Future Negotiations on Nuclear Program
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, indicated that a more comprehensive agreement would be negotiated during a 60-day ceasefire period, which would include discussions on sanctions relief for Iran. The fate of Iran’s nuclear program remains a critical issue that will be addressed in subsequent talks.
Since the onset of hostilities on February 28, thousands have died, primarily in Iran and Lebanon. Iran has retaliated against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases, effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, which has contributed to rising global energy prices. In response, US forces have blocked Iranian ports.
Political Repercussions in the US
The ongoing conflict has become a political liability for Trump and his Republican colleagues, particularly as public opinion polls indicate frustration over rising gas prices ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump faces pressure from within his party to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is fully dismantled.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent advocate for a hardline stance on Iran, commended the agreement but stated he would closely monitor the upcoming negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He noted that any nuclear deal with Iran would require congressional review and approval.
During his first term, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 multilateral Iran deal, which had lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. In response, Iran accelerated its uranium enrichment, producing over 400 kg of material at near bomb-grade purity. The future of this uranium will likely be a key point in the upcoming negotiations.
Tensions with Israel
The agreement was reached despite an Israeli strike on Lebanon on Sunday, which drew criticism from both Iran and Trump. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disagreed with Trump regarding the need for Israel to limit its military actions in Lebanon to facilitate a deal with Iran. Israel insists on maintaining operational freedom in Lebanon, while Iran has made a complete ceasefire a non-negotiable demand.
Trump updated Netanyahu on the progress of the peace deal during a phone call on Sunday. In a recent interview, Trump described Netanyahu as “a very difficult guy,” asserting that the Israeli leader should express gratitude for efforts to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.
Prior to the announcement, a senior Iranian official indicated that the draft agreement would involve the US releasing $25 billion of frozen Iranian assets. A US official stated that the agreement aims to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, including the destruction and removal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The draft deal would permit Iran to dilute its enriched uranium domestically, despite its denial of pursuing a nuclear weapon.
As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-06-15 05:30:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk