After months of tense conflict and closed-door negotiations, the United States and Iran have reached a landmark agreement to end fighting and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials confirmed the deal on Sunday, bringing a sudden halt to a war that has killed thousands and destabilized the Middle East since early 2026.
The 14-point memorandum, which is expected to be signed formally in Switzerland this Friday, includes an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. U.S. forces around Iran are set to withdraw as part of the agreement, according to Iranian state-affiliated Mehr News. The deal also calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz—a key oil shipping channel—once mines are removed, a process expected to begin as soon as the ink is dry on the agreement.
Key Points of the Deal
President Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States would lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports immediately after the deal’s signing. “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!” Trump wrote. Despite U.S. military sources not confirming Iran’s placement of mines, both sides have agreed that the strait’s reopening hinges on mine removal, starting Friday, June 19, 2026.
The draft memorandum reportedly omits any discussion of Iran’s missile program and its support for regional “resistance groups,” sticking closely to ending the active fighting and removing U.S. forces. Negotiators from the U.S., Qatar, and Pakistan worked around the clock in recent days to prevent a broader regional escalation, including a threatened Iranian attack on Israel that could have derailed the entire deal.
Regional Reactions and Next Steps
For ordinary Iranians and others across the region, the news brought a mix of relief and frustration. “So what was the point of this war? What did it bring us exactly?” asked Roshanak, a Tehran resident, encapsulating the mood of a population exhausted by loss. Oil prices, which had dropped over 6% last week as rumors of a deal swirled, could see further movement as the Strait’s reopening restores a vital artery for global energy shipments.
The formal signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday in Switzerland, with President Trump or Vice President JD Vance expected to sign. While details remain closely held, both sides have declared the deal a permanent end to current military operations, leaving more complex issues—like Iran’s missile program—for future negotiations.
