President Donald Trump has secured a peace agreement with Iran coinciding with his 80th birthday, officials have confirmed. According to the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, the accord will bring an immediate end to all military operations between the US and Iran.
"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," Sharif posted on X.
The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland. Sharif thanked the US and Iran for their commitment to a diplomatic solution, and extended appreciation to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey for their mediation efforts.
President Trump took to Truth Social to hail the agreement, declaring that he would authorize the lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports with immediate effect. "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!" he posted.
Iran also confirmed the agreement. Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi stated: "The text of the memorandum of understanding has been finalized, and the official signing of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding will take place in Switzerland on Friday."
The agreement was struck amid last-minute resistance from Iran, which announced through the state's semi-official Fars News Agency that the terms had not yet been settled. Iranian leaders were reportedly incensed after Israel launched an attack on Lebanon on Sunday, targeting Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburbs.
Following Israel's strike, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared there was "no point" in pressing ahead with talks if Washington lacked the "will and ability" to halt Israeli attacks on Lebanon. What ultimately prompted Iran to reverse its position remains uncertain.
Trump accused Israel of sabotaging the deal. He condemned the strikes on Beirut, saying: "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. Israel has the right to defend itself, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, and should not disrupt this important process."
Pakistan, a crucial intermediary, had earlier indicated that an agreement was nearer than ever. Trump declared on Saturday that it would be "signed tomorrow." However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the signing "will not happen tomorrow," though "the likelihood of finalizing the memorandum of understanding in the coming days is high."
A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since 7 April. Trump has claimed on numerous occasions that the nations were on the brink of an agreement. Iran has consistently expressed caution, highlighting that earlier discussions concluded with strikes by the US and Israel.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson stated the memorandum of understanding was centred on concluding the conflict and "at this stage, it has been decided that there will be no discussion of the nuclear issue." Trump declared that "when all is calm," the US would move in and "downblend and destroy" the enriched uranium, either within Iran or on American soil.
