A major breakthrough in Middle East diplomacy has been achieved as the United States and Iran have reached a peace deal, with the formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.
The agreement, which came after over 100 days of conflict that ignited a worldwide energy crisis and cast a shadow over the global economic landscape, is expected to mark the end of months of military tensions and pave the way for reopening the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the peace deal will be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday, June 19, with both sides working toward electronic signing preparations.
US and Iranian officials confirmed on Sunday that they have agreed on a framework to end months of war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lift the US blockade on Iran. President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US-Iran peace deal is “now complete” and he has authorized the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the immediate removal of the US naval blockade against Iranian ports.
The preliminary accord, referred to as a memorandum of understanding (MOU), is reported to extend the existing ceasefire for an additional 60 days. The 60-day MOU will declare that transit through the Strait of Hormuz be “restricted,” meaning no tolls and no harassment, with Iran required to eliminate mines from the strait within 30 days.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said on Monday that the text of the memorandum of understanding with the US has been finalized and will be officially signed on June 19. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi announced early Monday that the US naval blockade against Iran will be lifted as of tonight and that there will be an immediate and permanent end of the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Pakistan, acting as a significant intermediary in the negotiations, stated that the deal was “likely anticipated” to be concluded within the next 24 hours and that preparations were underway for an electronic signing. Sharif noted via X (Twitter) that with finalization expected in the next 24 hours, they are preparing for electronic signing of the peace deal, followed by technical talks next week.
The MOU encompasses Iran’s commitment to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons and outlines the initial topics for negotiation during the 60-day period, including the disposal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and the management of Iranian enrichment programs. The US will also commit to discussing sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian assets as part of the negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi indicated that a deal with the US was close, which he stated would address not only the conflict between the US and Iran but also the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei voiced reservations about the proposed Sunday timeline, stating that while the MoU will not be signed tomorrow, the chance of it happening soon is not excluded.
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