Main Points
- US and Iranian officials say they have reached a permanent agreement to end their war, which includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
- Hizbullah welcomed the US-Iran agreement, saying it included a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon
- Despite this, Israel said on Monday it intends to maintain its presence in Lebanon
- Pakistan says it will oversee the formal signing ceremony of the framework agreement in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday
- Oil prices, which have risen more than 50 per cent since the US and Israel attacked Iran, fell sharply on the news
Key Reads
- Q&A: What is in the US-Iran deal and when will the Strait of Hormuz open?
- A war without victors: Trump’s Iran deal delivers fragile peace with many faultlines
- Mark Weiss: Iran-US deal is opposed across Israel’s political spectrum
Iran and Pakistan officials say US-Iran agreement covers conflict in Lebanon
Iranian and Pakistani officials said the agreement between the US and Iran included an end to the fighting in Lebanon. But neither the United States nor Iran have released the contents of the agreement.
US president Donald Trump has not publicly commented on whether the ceasefire extends to the fighting there between Israel and Hizbullah, the Iran-backed armed group.
In recent months, Israel, which was not directly involved in the US-Iran talks, has repeatedly signalled that it does not feel bound by such agreements. It has continued to bombard Lebanon, despite the announcement of several ceasefires in recent weeks.
On Monday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said the country’s forces would remain in the swath of Lebanese territory that they have occupied since the start of the war. He added that the area would be “cleared of local residents” and that the Israeli military would continue to demolish houses in the area.
The previous day, the Israeli military struck the suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, threatening to scuttle the US-Iran agreement at the last minute.
The uncertainty in Lebanon reflects the country’s precarious place in the wider conflict and the waning credibility of recent ceasefire agreements there. For weeks, the country has been a flashpoint in the negotiations between the United States and Iran over a framework for peace.
Iran has insisted that any agreement with the US extends to the conflict in Lebanon. But Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been intent on continuing his military offensive against Hizbullah in Lebanon and has sought to disentangle the two conflicts. – The New York Times
Owners of oil tankers seeking more details
The price of oil dropped after the US and Iran agreed to an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though shipowners were still hunting for more details before committing to resuming transits, on Monday evening.
Brent tumbled as much as 5.7 per cent to below $83 a barrel, after closing last week at a three-month low, while West Texas Intermediate briefly fell under $80 a barrel. Prices are now more than 30 per cent lower than their peak at the height of the war.
US president Donald Trump said in social media posts he was authorising the “toll free opening” of Hormuz, as well as ending a naval blockade of the Islamic Republic, with the strait to reopen when the deal is signed on Friday. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said transits would be free of charge for 60 days.
While the US leader heralded the move to “let the oil flow!,” traders and analysts struck a more cautious tone, highlighting the lack of released text by either side, hurdles for the shipping industry to restart transits of the waterway, and a drawn-out timeline for fields to restart pumping. There was little sign of a sudden upturn in traffic by morning in New York on Monday. – Bloomberg.
Speaking at a briefing with reporters, the US official added that there will be a signing ceremony on Friday.
“You will see significant increase in traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, actually starting already, and that will ramp up slowly over time,” the US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said.
“We probably won’t return to normal in two weeks, but we will see a significant increase in strait traffic,” the official said.
While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough toward resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended energy markets since it began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. – Reuters
Trump, Vance and Iranian parliament speaker sign memorandum
The memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has been signed by president Donald Trump, vice-president JD Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Muhammad Bagher Qalibaf, a senior US official said on Monday. – The Guardian
Monday evening recap
IMF chief says no slowdown in sight yet, but risks are high
The world economy is so far weathering the shock of the war in the Middle East despite a surge in commodity prices, higher inflation and strains in financial conditions, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Monday.
Georgieva, managing director of the global lender, welcomed Sunday’s agreement by the US and Iran to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but warned in a new blog post that several risks remain.
“More than three months into the war in the Middle East, the global economy appears to be holding up,” she wrote.
“Commodity prices, inflation and expectations for it, and financial conditions have all been impacted – but not yet in ways that signal a global slowdown ...
“Meanwhile, with the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and infrastructure in the Middle East damaged by the fighting, uncertainty and risks remain high.”
US stock market joins global rally
Wall Street’s main indexes jumped at the start of trading, as New York traders welcome the news that Washington and Tehran reached a preliminary agreement to end the Middle East conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has climbed by 642 points, or 1.25 per cent, to 51,844 points. The broader S&P 500 is up 1.5 per cent, while the Nasdaq Composite has climbed by 2.25 per cent.
While many US stocks are rallying, energy producers’ shares are sliding. Chevron (down 3.15 per cent) is leading the fallers on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, while Exxon Mobile is down 3.7 per cent. – The Guardian
At least six people killed in Gaza
Gaza’s health ministry said at least six people were killed and six others injured in Israeli attacks across the territory over the past 24 hours. It said one other person’s body was recovered in the same time frame.
The health ministry said 992 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ‘ceasefire’ between Israel and Hamas came into effect last October.
EU fails to agree on sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir
EU foreign ministers have not reached a consensus to approve sanctions against Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Monday.
“Many member states have also proposed to sanction minister Ben-Gvir, but no consensus on that was reached,” she said.
Western governments have expressed outrage after Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself taunting activists – including Irish citizens – who had intended to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza being pinned to the ground.
Earlier this month, Irish officials were instructed to block any attempts by Ben-Gvir or Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, to travel to the State.
France decided to ban Ben-Gvir from French territory in May, while Italian prosecutors have put him under investigation.
Israeli strike targets car in Lebanon
An Israeli drone strike targeted a car in southern Lebanon, killing its driver, Lebanese security sources and state media reported on Monday, according to The Guardian.
The strike is the first reported deadly Israeli attack in Lebanon since the announcement of the US-Iran agreement.
Surveying the damage in Lebanon
Here are some images emerging from Lebanon on Monday, as the country hopes a fragile peace deal will hold. Thousands of people have been killed in Lebanon in recent months with many more injured and displaced.
US blockade of Iran ports in effect ‘until agreement with Tehran completed’
A US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect pending completion of a ceasefire agreement with Iran scheduled for June 19th, the US military said in an advisory note on Monday.
“A military blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect restricting all traffic inbound and outbound from these ports,” the advisory said.
“Do not attempt to cross until explicit direction is given.” – Reuters
Iran deal could stabilise global economy, says Merz
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that a peace deal between the US and Iran could stabilise the global economy, adding that the agreement must also count for Lebanon.
Speaking on the fringes of the G7 meeting in France, Merz also said a window of diplomacy had opened for the Ukraine war and that he wanted to discuss this with US president Donald Trump. – Reuters
Von der Leyen says Iran must fundamentally change its behaviour before sanctions can be lifted
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said Iran must fundamentally change its behaviour before any EU sanctions can be lifted.
Speaking at an ongoing press conference at the G7 summit in France, von der Leyen said the EU had implemented a number of sanctions due to human rights abuses in Iran, as well as the country’s nuclear proliferation activities.
“The principle of sanctions is that we need real change on the ground before we can think about lifting them,” she said.
“Sanctions are in place to change behaviour. So if behaviour is changing credibly and verifiably, then you can lift sanctions.”
Trump claims ships are moving through Strait of Hormuz
US president Donald Trump has claimed ships are starting to move through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Ships are starting to move, many loaded up with Oil, out of the Strait of Hormuz. They are going along the Southern “Highway,” which is totally safe, secure, and pristine. There are other areas of travel, also!!!”
Gas prices fall on hopes of supply boost
European gas prices have dropped sharply today, on hopes that supplies from the Middle East will resume soon.
Despite warnings that it will take time for traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to resume, wholesale gas prices have dropped to their lowest in over a month. The month-ahead UK gas contract is down 7 per cent at 103.9p per therm, its lowest level since May 7th, as traders react to the US-Iran peace deal.
The continental gas price has dropped by 6.4 per cent, to €43.785 per megawatt hour. That will make it cheaper for governments to rebuild their liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserves ahead of next winter.
Analysts at ING say Europe still needs to replenish its gas storage, which sits well below the seasonal average – at a time when Asia will increasingly compete with Europe for LNG supplies. – The Guardian
Trump’s Iran deal ‘delivers fragile peace with many faultlines’
While a draft agreement has been reached, Gideon Rachman says this conflict is a war with “no outright victor”.
He writes: “What better way to celebrate a peace deal than with a cage fight on the White House lawn? Donald Trump has always had a strong preference for performative conflict over prolonged violence. Now, he finally has his long-heralded agreement to end the war with Iran.
“But any peace is likely to be fragile. However Trump chooses to sell it, the deal that is scheduled to be signed in Geneva on Friday is not a permanent settlement. It is an extension of the current ceasefire for 60 days – allowing the Strait of Hormuz to reopen gradually and the US blockade on Iran to be lifted. There is a promise to resolve nuclear issues through negotiation linked to a pledge for a phased lifting of sanctions on Iran ...
“With no outright victor in the war, any peace deal had to be a compromise. The best sign is that hardliners on all sides are unhappy with it.”
Read his full analysis here.
Hizbullah welcomes deal
Hizbullah has welcomed the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, saying it had resulted in a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon.
In a written statement, the Tehran-backed group warned Israel that it would not accept any attacks that violate Lebanon’s sovereignty or targeted its people.
It said Lebanon’s inclusion in the agreement reflected Iran’s commitment to ending the war. – Reuters
Iran still ‘deeply mistrusts’ the US
Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that Tehran still holds “deep mistrust” of the United States despite an agreed framework aimed at ending the war.
“Unfortunately, it must be acknowledged that Iran’s deep mistrust of the United States stems from long history of wrongdoing by American leaders,” said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.
“The United States still has a long way to go before it can earn the trust of the Iranian people,” he noted, adding that the framework was “merely a step toward reducing tensions and end a war” which broke out late February. – The Guardian
Strait of Hormuz will reopen without toll, says Vance
US vice-president JD Vance said he expects the Strait of Hormuz will reopen without a toll system.
“Our expectation is that the strait is going to be opened in a toll-free way for the long term, and that’s the sort of thing that we’re going to figure out in these technical negotiations,” Vance told CNBC in an interview.
“That’s the sort of thing that we’re going to figure out in these technical negotiations. You know that there are a lot of very important details to figure out that we’re actually going to sit at the table and discuss together and figure out a path forward.”
Vance said many details of the deal are still to be finalised.
He said Iran’s foreign minister and House speaker will represent Iran at the signing in Switzerland on Friday. He did not say who will represent the US at the signing.
Hizbullah has not carried out operations since deal, says official
A Hizbullah official told Reuters on Monday the militant group has not carried out any operations since the Iran-US deal was announced and that its position on the ceasefire was linked to Israel’s adherence to it.
The official, who declined to be named, added that Hizbullah rejects Israeli “freedom of movement” in Lebanon and said Iran delayed signing the deal with the US to monitor Israel’s adherence to the ceasefire in Lebanon.
France and Britain ready to lead mission to reopen strait
France and Britain are ready to lead a mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, French president Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
Speaking at the G7 summit of world leaders, Macron said the Netherlands and Italy will also help to reopen the strait. The mission could be deployed within two or three days, he said.
Macron added that European allies will “do everything” to ensure Iran does not impose any tolls on the strait. – Reuters
Maersk welcomes deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Danish shipping giant Maersk has welcomed the agreement announced by the US and Iran – and the plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – but said it was too early to assess its impact and that there were no changes yet to the group’s Middle East operations.
Shipping in the strait has been largely paralysed since the outbreak of armed conflict in late February. The war has disrupted travel and cargo across the wider Middle East, and many vessels, including those belonging to Maersk, have been unable to enter or leave the Gulf.
“The announced agreement is a welcome and positive development, but publicly available details are still limited, and it is too early to assess how it will impact logistics and maritime operations,” Maersk said in a statement. “At this stage, there are no changes to our operations in the region,” the container shipping and logistics company added. – Reuters
Lebanese army warns residents to ‘exercise caution’ in returning home
The Lebanese army has warned residents displaced by Israel’s war to “exercise caution” in returning to their homes in the border villages in the south because of the ongoing risk of Israeli attacks.
In a statement posted to social media, the army said: “In light of the recent developments in the region and amid circulating news regarding the achievement of a ceasefire, the army command emphasises the necessity for residents to exercise caution in returning to the southern border villages and towns, and to adhere to the directives of the deployed military units, to safeguard their safety from the dangers of violations and Israeli attacks.
“It also stresses the need for utmost caution and vigilance in areas that have been subjected to Israeli attacks, and to report any unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects to the nearest army centre or other security forces.” – The Guardian
Deal to be signed on Friday
Pakistan, a key mediator between the US and Iran in peace talks, says it will oversee the formal signing ceremony of the framework agreement in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday, according to Al Jazeera.
The country’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, told the National Assembly session in Islamabad that “after three months and 16 days of unparalleled trials, the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations has been announced across all fronts, including Iran, America, and Lebanon”.
Minesweeping
Ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe from mines could delay a return to normal shipping traffic by weeks following a deal to reopen the waterway, shipping and maritime security sources told Reuters news agency.
The operation by conventional minesweepers and state-of-the-art underwater drones could continue for 40 to 50 days before many insurance, shipping or oil companies are confident enough to sail through, according to assessments from five western maritime security sources.
That could potentially hold up tens of millions of barrels of oil, in addition to the oil supply from the Gulf already blocked since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28th, according to estimates based on pre-war flows.
Every export barrel from the Gulf is crucial given stockpiles in the world’s largest economies are headed toward their lowest levels since at least 2003, according to analysis last week by the US Energy Information Administration. – Reuters
UAE calls for swift implementation of US-Iran deal
The United Arab Emirates called for full implementation of the US-Iran preliminary deal to end their war, including an immediate halt to hostilities and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the foreign ministry said on Monday.
The ministry statement stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
The UAE was affected by the conflict, with Iranian strikes hitting shipping and energy infrastructure linked to the country during the war.
Peace deal to be signed on Friday in Geneva, says Pakistan
Pakistan will host an event in Geneva to mark the US-Iran peace deal, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif told parliament, crediting army chief Asim Munir with playing an “extraordinary role” in efforts to end a conflict that threatened to destabilise the global economy.
“The world has reached an historic milestone as US and Iran agreed to end the war permanently, including in Lebanon,” Sharif said. The ceremony will be held on Friday, he said.
Sharif said he had personally witnessed Munir’s “extraordinary efforts” to secure peace, describing how the military chief worked around the clock and “never lost hope” during talks.
He also praised foreign minister Ishaq Dar and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi for their engagement with Iranian leaders.
Sharif asked lawmakers to welcome Iran’s ambassador, who was present in parliament during the speech.
Harris refuses to rule out scrapping temporary excise reduction on fuel
The Government will look again in about a fortnight at the temporary excise reduction on fuel in light of the deal aimed at bringing to an end the conflict in the Middle East, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.
However speaking at the National Economic Dialogue in Dublin, he says things remained “very fluid” though the developments overnight were very positive.
“But we also have to be honest, has it been a significant amount of damage done to energy infrastructure that will take time to repair”, he said.
The temporary reduction in excise on petrol and diesel introduced by the Government to try to tackle rising prices is due to expire at the end of July.
Asked whether the Government would allow this temporary reduction in excise to expire if oil prices continued to fall, Harris said: “We’ve seen, time and time again, how volatile the oil markets can be. An announcement is made, it comes to pass, prices go down, and maybe it doesn’t come to pass, things go back up. So Government is keeping a very close eye on all of this.
“There is still ample time to consider what the most appropriate thing to do is. So, from my perspective, I think we should be considering the next steps on this ... around the next two weeks or two.”
Israel will not leave Lebanon yet
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intends to maintain its presence in Lebanon, says the country’s defence minister, Israel Katz.
It follows the announcement of a framework deal between the US and Israel, brokered by Pakistani mediators who say the agreement stipulates that “military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon” will end.
In a statement written originally in Hebrew, Katz says Israel opposes IDF withdrawal from Lebanon despite “existing and expected pressures”.
The defence minister says that, in agreement with Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the IDF will remain in “security zones” in Lebanon – as well as Syria and Gaza – “without time limit”.
He says that “all terrorist infrastructures” will be destroyed to “protect Israel’s borders”, and that Israel has briefed its US counterparts on its position.
“If Iran attacks Israel due to the events in Lebanon – we will strike it with full force and clearly demonstrate the gap in power.”
Iran deal happens against G7 backdrop
Donald Trump has left his 80th birthday party celebrations to travel to the G7 summit in France.
The talks between the leaders of the world’s most powerful democracies will address issues including Iran, Ukraine, global trade and many more that have caused friction between allies.
Hours before leaving Washington, Trump announced an agreement to end the Iran war – a development that could change the dynamic during the talks taking place from Monday to Wednesday in Evian-les-Bains.
Just days ago, when the Iran-US ceasefire was hanging by a thread amid resumed strikes, the gathering on the shores of Lake Geneva, Europe’s largest Alpine lake, appeared to be heading for stormy waters.
Analysts speculated that tempers could flare and that Trump might not hang around for long in an Alpine spa town that has been enveloped in a security bubble for the G7 leaders and other guests invited by the event’s host, French president Emmanuel Macron.
Aside from France and the US, the other G7 nations are the UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan.
Allies Trump berated for refusing to join the war are likely to greet any Iran deal with relief if it reopens the Strait of Hormuz and enables Gulf energy exports to flow freely again.
As host, Macron has packed the meatiest and potentially most contentious topics into the summit’s first 24 hours, including the Iran war and its impact on energy supplies and the Ukraine war that has largely slipped down the White House’s list of top priorities.
Tuesday’s morning session on Ukraine will afford invited guest president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, an opportunity to showcase progress that Ukrainian forces are making against the Russian invasion.
The US-Iran deal is expected to be signed on Friday, followed by technical talks on details over the next 60 days.
If it reopens the Strait of Hormuz, France and the UK are expected to make the case that they could help rid the narrow waterway of any mines and escort tankers through it.
Starmer describes Iran deal as ‘important step forward’
British prime minister Keir Starmer has welcomed the US-Iran deal.
He described it as a “hugely important step forward” in ending the war and ensuring regional stability.
“I congratulate president Trump and the mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and elsewhere who have contributed to the breakthrough.
“We have long urged de-escalation and this is the progress we have hoped to see.
“We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz, to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt for several months – on families here in the UK and around the world”.
Markets react positively to Iran deal news
Share markets and bonds rallied hard on Monday and oil prices tumbled 5 per cent as a framework peace deal between the United States and Iran promised to ease inflationary pressures globally and lessen the need for higher interest rates.
Europe’s early optimism drove both the STOXX 600 and FTSE Eurofirst to records.
Asia’s biggest markets had all leapt overnight, while futures markets pointed to gains of 1.3 per cent to 2 per cent for Wall Street later.
Early on Monday, Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said on social media an Iranian peace deal had been struck, while US president Donald Trump said the pact included opening the vital Strait of Hormuz, though without giving details.
Trump will meet Middle Eastern leaders and attend a working session with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a G7 summit in France this week.
Iran said traffic through the strait would be regulated by it and Oman, a potential blow to the rules of free trade that suggests there might be a toll of some kind on transits.
McEntee welcomes ceasefire deal
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee welcomed the announcement of a deal between the US and Iran.
She added in a statement: “I hope there can now be a full engagement by all involved to implement this agreement, address all issues including Iran’s nuclear programme, and achieve a just and lasting peace across the region.
“Reopening the Strait to international shipping would bring much-needed relief to the global economy.
“The situation in Lebanon is deeply concerning and must also be addressed.”
The issues surrounding the ceasefire will be addressed later today at a meeting in Luxembourg of EU foreign ministers.
Von der Leyen: ‘clear lessons’ to be learned on energy dependency
EU president Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the agreement but says “the priority now is its swift and full implementation by all parties”.
She called the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz describing freedom of navigation as “essential for regional stability and the global economy”.
She added that there can be no peace in Europe while Lebanon “is in flames”.
“Once again Europe calls on all parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and implement a genuine ceasefire,” von der Leyen added.
Von der Leyen goes on to say that European leaders who will be at the G7 this week in France will discuss the issue.
There are “clear lessons”, she stated on X that energy dependencies have been weaponised.
“We must diversify our supply routes and develop alternative export corridors to diversify away from the bottleneck of Hormuz. We will discuss this, and more, in Evian.”
EU leaders welcome framework agreement
This morning, we’ve had more European reaction to news of the framework agreement between the US and Iran.
António Costa, president of the European Council, says the world is looking “forward to an end to this costly war”.
Writing on X, he adds “weapons must now fall silent and outstanding differences must be resolved by peaceful means”.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, describes the framework deal as “a potential breakthrough”.
She says the agreement can “give much needed space for deeper negotiations”.
‘The most American thing I’ve seen’
As the world sought details of the US-Iran deal, Donald Trump himself was celebrating his 80th birthday in unusual style: with a UFC fight card on the White House Lawn.
Keith Duggan, our Washington correspondent, reports on the spectacle.
“They shot off fireworks behind the Monument singing Born In the USA,” one attendee told him amid soupy DC summer weather. “Just the most American thing I’ve seen.”
Markets respond
Share markets and bonds rallied hard in Asia on Monday and oil prices tumbled as a tentative peace deal between the United States and Iran promised to ease inflationary pressures globally and lessen the need for higher interest rates.
In Europe, Eurostoxx 50 futures and Dax futures both rose 1.7 per cent, while British FTSE futures added 0.7 per cent.
In the US, the benchmark S&P 500’s futures climbed 1.2 per cent, while Nasdaq futures jumped 1.9 per cent amid a general surge in risk assets.
Oil also responded. Markets had already priced in a likely deal but the confirmation was enough to send Brent crude, the global index price, falling 4.7 per cent to $83.24 a barrel, well away from its May peak of $126.41. -Reuters
Israel’s response
The agreement was sealed despite an Israeli strike on Lebanon on Sunday that drew criticism from both Iran and Trump.
There was no immediate reaction to the announcement from Israel, which has said it was not party to the US-Iran talks.
Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has differed with Trump over American demands that Israel curb its military action in Lebanon to allow the United States to reach a deal with Iran.
Israel has said it will retain freedom of operations in Lebanon, while Iran has made a full ceasefire there an important component of its demands.
Trump updated Netanyahu on the progress toward a peace deal during a phone call on Sunday, Israel’s N12 reported, citing a senior official.
In an interview with the New York Times, Trump called Netanyahu “a very difficult guy” and argued the Israeli leader should thank him for saving Israel from a nuclear-armed Iran.
Leaders outside the Middle East, who have kept a wary eye on the conflict, welcomed the announcement.
In a joint statement, Britain, Germany, France and Italy said they were prepared to lift sanctions on Iran in response to “clear, verifiable steps” to limit its nuclear programme. – Reuters
Deal announced
Welcome to The Irish Times’ resumed live coverage of the Iran deal announced on Sunday that aims to end months of war in the Middle East.
US and Iranian officials both said they had reached an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Tehran’s nuclear programme to further negotiations.
While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough towards resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended energy markets since it began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US president Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform at around 9.30pm Irish time on Sunday. His post came shortly after Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has served as a mediator, announced a deal had been struck early on Monday local time.
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.
The precise terms were not immediately known. Sharif said in a post on X that the pact called for “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”.
Lebanon has been a sticking point in negotiations, with Israel and Hizbullah ignoring calls from Trump and others to stop their attacks on each other in recent weeks.
In a statement, the secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, would end permanently starting on Monday night. – Reuters
