President Trump and Iran announced a deal ending more than three months of war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough after fighting that disrupted global oil markets and shook the Middle East economy.
Trump declared on Truth Social Sunday evening that “the deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” authorizing the immediate reopening of the strategic waterway and lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the negotiations, announced the agreement had been reached and said a formal signing ceremony would take place Friday in Switzerland.
The war began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. The conflict escalated into a regional crisis that disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war.
Iran had effectively controlled the strait since shortly after the fighting started, virtually shutting down the vital passage. In response, the U.S. blockaded Iranian ports, choking off trade and creating pressure on both sides to negotiate. The blockade and closure drove up energy prices worldwide and created urgency for a settlement.
The memorandum of understanding extends the existing ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran for 60 days, creating a window for negotiations on unresolved issues. According to NPR, the agreement also covers an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Iran had made a condition for any deal with the U.S.
However, critical issues remain unresolved. The fate of Iran’s nuclear program—the main reason Trump cited for launching the war—has been deferred to the 60-day negotiation period. Trump told The New York Times that Iran would be permitted low-level nuclear enrichment, though he has previously called for the dismantling of Iran’s entire nuclear program. Iran wants billions of dollars in frozen assets released and seeks lifting of U.S. and international sanctions.
Pakistan played a crucial mediating role throughout the talks, with its military chief and diplomatic officials shuttling between the U.S. and Iran. Qatar also assisted in the mediation efforts. According to Axios, negotiations continued until around 5 p.m. Eastern time Sunday, with Iranian officials saying some of Tehran’s requested revisions to the memorandum text were accepted after escalations in Lebanon the same day.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would open “upon the signing of the deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal.” The U.S. says Iran has laid mines in the strait, and clearing them will be necessary before full commercial shipping resumes. Axios noted that even with the strait reopened, full restoration of pre-war shipping volumes may take time due to mine-clearing operations, infrastructure repairs, and security guarantees.
International leaders welcomed the agreement. European nations including France, Germany, the U.K., and Italy called for swift implementation and the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called the deal a “critical step” and urged parties to “redouble their efforts towards a final resolution of the conflict.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the deal represents an end to “military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon,” effective immediately. However, tensions flared on the eve of the announcement when Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut, prompting Iranian threats to walk away from negotiations. U.S. and Qatari mediators worked to prevent an Iranian attack on Israel that could have derailed the agreement.
Trump told The New York Times that if no final deal is reached during the 60-day window, he could relaunch attacks on Iran or make the U.S. “the guardian of the Middle East” in return for 20 percent of the region’s revenues. The uncertainty around nuclear negotiations and the fragility of the ceasefire mean the next two months will be critical for determining whether the agreement leads to a permanent end to the conflict.
Sources
- NPR — Trump and Iran agreement announcement, ceasefire extension, Strait of Hormuz reopening, Pakistan mediation, nuclear program deferral, international response
- Axios — Deal framework, 60-day ceasefire extension, Strait of Hormuz reopening, nuclear talks timeline, mine-clearing details, Iran’s negotiating demands, mediator roles
