Washington/Tehran: US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement aimed at ending months of military confrontation, with officials from both sides indicating that a formal signing is expected later this week.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that “the Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” saying the understanding would pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of restrictions that have disrupted maritime traffic in the region. He added that further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme would continue after the agreement is signed.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also signalled progress, stating that military operations were expected to cease and that negotiations on a broader settlement would continue over the coming weeks. According to Iranian officials, discussions on sanctions relief, frozen assets and other outstanding issues are expected to form part of the next phase of talks.
Pakistan, which reportedly facilitated indirect diplomacy between Washington and Tehran, welcomed the breakthrough. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the parties had agreed to move toward a permanent cessation of hostilities and that additional diplomatic meetings would be held ahead of the planned signing ceremony.
US Vice President JD Vance described the development as a significant diplomatic achievement, expressing hope that it could usher in a new era of stability in the Middle East. He reiterated Washington’s position that Iran should never possess a nuclear weapon.
The reported agreement, however, leaves several major issues unresolved. While both sides have spoken positively about the breakthrough, negotiations on Iran’s nuclear activities, sanctions, frozen financial assets and long-term regional security arrangements are expected to continue.
Iranian officials have indicated that implementation of the broader agreement will depend on verification that the United States fulfils its commitments, including easing restrictions and taking agreed confidence-building measures. Meanwhile, US officials have suggested that certain concessions, such as the release of frozen Iranian assets, would be linked to Tehran’s compliance with the deal.
Neither Washington nor Tehran has publicly released the full text of the proposed agreement, leading analysts to caution that important details remain under negotiation. Differences in public statements from the two sides have also highlighted that several provisions may still require clarification before a final accord is reached.
The reported reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global oil shipments—has already attracted international attention, with markets closely watching the potential impact on energy supplies and regional security. Oil prices reportedly eased following news of the diplomatic breakthrough.
Observers say that while the announcement marks a potentially significant step toward de-escalation after months of conflict, the durability of the agreement will depend on successful implementation and the outcome of the upcoming negotiations. (Agencies)
