ISLAMABAD (AP) — More than three months after fighting broke out, the United States and Iran have struck an agreement to bring the conflict to a close and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a development that could provide significant relief to the world economy.
Specifics of the agreement were not immediately disclosed. Pakistan, which played a key role as a mediator, announced that the formal signing ceremony will take place Friday in Switzerland. Unresolved matters such as Iran’s nuclear program are expected to be taken up at a later stage.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal had been reached, announcing he had authorized an end to the American naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz — a blockade that had been put in place in response to Iran’s control over the critical shipping lane.
“Congratulations to all!” Trump posted on social media. “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.”
Prior to the announcement, the U.S. had indicated it would ease the blockade on Iranian ports as the strait reopened, and would also agree to loosen sanctions so Iran could increase oil exports and help rebuild its struggling economy.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed the agreement in an appearance on state television, though he stressed that Iran would not begin carrying out its terms until the official signing on Friday. He noted the deal came after more than 14 hours of negotiations in Tehran involving a representative from Qatar, which also served as a mediator.
Iranian state television displayed a banner reading: “US was forced to sign an agreement to end the war.”
Pakistan was the first to publicly announce the deal, doing so on a day when Israel — which had been kept out of the negotiations — carried out strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut while targeting Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Those attacks had threatened to derail the talks.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that “both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” and said mediators would facilitate meetings this week to “lay the foundation for the technical talks.”
