US and Iran reach deal to end war, says Trump

 The U.S. and Iran have agreed on a deal ending the war, which started with joint American and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic on February 28. 

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday:

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

There was no immediate official confirmation from Iran, though the state broadcaster IRIB declared, “The United States was forced to accept an end to the war.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has mediated negotiations, announced the deal as well on Sunday, writing on X:

“Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland.”

The details of the agreement were not immediately released.

Trump has for weeks insisted a deal with Iran was near, but talks have repeatedly broken down at the last minute without Tehran’s approval. His frustration has grown as the conflict raises gasoline prices and divides his base.

The signing appeared in doubt earlier in the day after Israel struck Beirut’s suburbs in response to attacks from Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon. The attack angered Trump, who said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “no judgment.”

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah flared again after the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran began in February.

“This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters earlier on Sunday the terms for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) include a pledge for Tehran to neither produce nor acquire nuclear weapons. Washington had also agreed that Tehran would dilute its highly enriched uranium stockpile inside Iran, with further details to be ironed out over the next 60 days. Under the deal, the official added, the United States would temporarily waive oil sanctions on Iran, unfreeze $25 billion in Iranian assets, and end the naval blockade on Iran’s ports, while Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial ​vessels as it had been before the conflict started.

Iranian leaders working on the deal have faced resistance from hardliners. President Masoud Pezeshkian posted to X on Sunday, “It is regrettable that individuals who are carrying out their duties within the framework of official missions, with the aim of safeguarding national interests and the dignity of the country, are confronted with labels such as treason or betrayal.”