The United States and Iran have announced a breakthrough peace agreement aimed at ending more than three months of conflict across the Middle East, with both nations declaring an immediate halt to military operations.
The agreement, reportedly mediated by Pakistan with support from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, is expected to be formally signed in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 19.
US President Donald Trump announced the development on social media, describing the deal as complete and authorising the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
“Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow,” Trump wrote.
Iran quickly confirmed the agreement, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating that the deal would bring an immediate end to hostilities between the two countries and pave the way for further negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent settlement.
The announcement comes after months of escalating tensions that began in February when US and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian facilities. Iran responded with attacks on Israel and US allies in the region while significantly disrupting shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and natural gas supplies.
The closure of the waterway sent shockwaves through international markets, contributing to rising fuel prices and increasing concerns about global inflation and supply chain disruptions.
Under the new agreement, both sides have committed to ending military operations across all fronts, including conflicts linked to Lebanon. The move is expected to reduce the risk of a wider regional war involving Iran, Israel and Hezbollah.
While the broad framework of the agreement has been announced, several details remain unclear. Iranian media reports suggest that billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets could be released as part of the arrangement, although US officials have yet to publicly confirm the reported figures.
A 60-day negotiation period is expected to begin after the formal signing, during which diplomats will work toward resolving outstanding issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and long-term regional security arrangements.
The international community has largely welcomed the announcement. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the agreement as a critical step toward restoring stability in the Middle East.
European leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy also expressed support for the deal and indicated their willingness to work alongside regional partners to secure a lasting diplomatic solution.
Financial markets responded positively to the news, with oil prices falling sharply and major stock indices posting gains as investors welcomed the prospect of reduced tensions in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.
Despite the optimism, analysts caution that the success of the agreement will ultimately depend on the outcome of upcoming negotiations and the willingness of all parties involved to honour their commitments.
For now, however, the announcement represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East this year and offers renewed hope for stability in a region long affected by conflict.