US, Iran Reach Preliminary Agreement to End War, Signing Scheduled for Friday
DUBAI/WASHINGTON – U.S. and Iranian officials have announced a preliminary agreement aimed at ending hostilities between the two nations, lifting the U.S. blockade on Iran, and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This development has led to a decline in oil prices, although the future of Iran’s nuclear program remains a contentious issue for further negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the completion of the deal via his Truth Social platform on Sunday evening, shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as a mediator, declared that an agreement had been reached.
Memorandum of Understanding to be Signed
The memorandum of understanding is set to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland. While specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, Sharif indicated that it includes “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” The situation in Lebanon has been a significant hurdle in negotiations, with ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Iranian Supreme National Security Council has stated that all military operations, including those in Lebanon, will cease starting Monday night. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, noted that a broader agreement would be negotiated during a 60-day ceasefire, which would also involve discussions on sanctions relief for Iran.
Implications for the Strait of Hormuz and Oil Markets
Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global oil and gas supplies, would reopen on Friday, and he has ordered an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Following this announcement, oil prices experienced a notable drop, with Brent crude futures falling by 4% and U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropping more than 4.6%. Asian stock markets reacted positively to the news.
Matthew Miller, a former spokesperson for the Biden administration’s State Department, remarked that Trump had made significant concessions to Iran to revert to the status quo prior to the conflict. He expressed concerns that there are no guarantees regarding the nuclear program, emphasizing that Iran has demonstrated its ability to leverage the global economy for concessions.
Ongoing Conflict and Political Ramifications
Since the onset of U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran on February 28, thousands have lost their lives, primarily in Iran and Lebanon. Iran has retaliated against Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases, effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, which has contributed to rising global energy prices. U.S. forces have responded by blocking Iranian ports.
The ongoing conflict has become a political liability for Trump and his Republican allies, particularly as public opinion polls indicate widespread frustration over rising gas prices ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Additionally, Trump faces pressure from within his party to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is completely dismantled.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent advocate for a hardline stance on Iran, expressed support for the deal but indicated that he would closely monitor the negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program. He noted that any nuclear agreement with Iran would require Congressional review and approval.
Historical Context and Future Negotiations
During his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 multilateral agreement negotiated by former President Barack Obama, which had lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program. In response, Iran escalated its uranium enrichment activities, producing over 400 kg of material at near bomb-grade purity. The fate of this enriched uranium is expected to be a critical point of discussion in the upcoming negotiations.
Despite the agreement’s announcement, tensions remain high, particularly following an Israeli strike on Lebanon that drew criticism from both Iran and Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed disagreement with U.S. demands for Israel to limit its military actions in Lebanon to facilitate the agreement with Iran. Israel maintains that it will continue its operations in Lebanon, while Iran insists on a complete ceasefire as a prerequisite.
Trump communicated with Netanyahu regarding the progress of the peace deal, describing the Israeli leader as “a very difficult guy” and suggesting that Netanyahu should acknowledge Trump’s efforts in preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. International leaders outside the Middle East have welcomed the announcement, with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy indicating their readiness to lift sanctions on Iran contingent upon verifiable steps to limit its nuclear program.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the necessity of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, “Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.” Prior to the agreement’s announcement, a senior Iranian official indicated that the U.S. would agree to release $25 billion of frozen Iranian assets, contingent upon Iran meeting specific conditions outlined in the peace deal.
A U.S. official stated that the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, with provisions for the destruction and removal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The Iranian official noted that the draft deal would permit Iran to dilute its enriched uranium within its borders.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-06-15 07:07:00 • By the Editorial Desk
