ISLAMABAD (GNP): The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have reached a peace agreement, bringing an immediate end to hostilities between the two countries. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the deal on Sunday, confirming that both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Pakistan Announces Agreement; Official Signing Ceremony Set for June 19 in Switzerland.
United States President Donald Trump confirmed the agreement, announcing the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. The Strait of Hormuz had been largely closed since the United States and Israel launched operations against Iran on February 28. Trump also stated that a more comprehensive peace agreement with Iran would follow.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the agreement on Sunday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Friday that negotiations between Tehran and Washington had entered their final stages, revealing that the process had produced a 14-point memorandum of understanding whose details would be disclosed only upon finalisation.
Speaking to Iran’s state TV, Araghchi said the Pakistan-brokered agreement would halt the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, where he stated the Israeli regime would withdraw from occupied areas, and would include a mutual commitment against initiating any new conflict.
Moreover, he described the MoU as potentially marking the first time in 47 years that the United States would formally recognise and respect Iran’s sovereignty in writing. Araghchi added that following the signing of the MoU, both sides would enter talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief within a 60-day window. On the broader principles of the negotiations, he stressed that no agreement exists in which one side gains everything, calling mutual satisfaction a basic principle of diplomacy.
He also warned that threats and pressure had never compelled Iran to back down, stating that if the other side sought a genuine understanding, it needed to change its approach.
Vice President JD Vance said the deal could mark a new era in the Middle East, expressing hope that energy prices would decrease as a result. Vance also confirmed his intention to attend the signing ceremony in Switzerland next week.
The official signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland. Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged the contributions of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey in the mediation process. Qatar credited its partnership with Pakistan in helping a memorandum of understanding come to fruition following intensive mediation. With the agreement in place, mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week to lay the foundation for technical talks ahead of the formal signing.
The agreement received broad international welcome. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was ready to assist in the further technical talks between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would stabilise energy markets. He called for the immediate and full restoration of toll-free freedom of navigation through the Strait.
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French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the deal, urging its swift and full implementation by all parties, and confirmed that France stands ready to support the reopening of the Strait alongside the United Kingdom. Macron further stated that France would continue to support the Lebanese authorities in their efforts to restore state sovereignty.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the memorandum of understanding as an important step toward consolidating sustainable peace and promoting economic growth regionally and internationally. The announcement of the deal followed days of diplomatic activity, with Pakistan playing a central role in coordinating the final stages of the agreement.
