World leaders praise US-Iran deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
World leaders have praised the U.S. Iran deal that ends the conflict and reopens the strait, while reactions from Iran and Israel remain divided.
The United States and Iran have reached a framework agreement to end the Iran war, but it is expected to take at least several days to sign the agreement.
President Donald Trump announced in a June 14 social media post that an agreement had been reached and suggested the Strait of Hormuz would also reopen.
“The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” he wrote. “Congratulations, everyone! I hereby fully approve the free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and at the same time approve the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade.”
But the preliminary agreement leaves several key issues unresolved, including the fate of Iran’s nuclear program. Here’s what you need to know about the deal and the latest updates on the Iran war.
What will the US-Iran peace deal do?
Full details of the peace deal are unclear at this stage, but President Trump has suggested it would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of the world’s oil shipments.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country is the main mediator, wrote to X that the preliminary agreement would also end the fighting.
“Both sides have declared an immediate and permanent suspension of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Sharif said.
According to Reuters, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretariat announced that war and military operations on all fronts will end permanently from the evening of June 15th.
A key unresolved question is how the deal will address the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
President Trump said in an interview with the New York Times that if Iran does not reach a final nuclear deal with the United States, he would renew military attacks on Tehran or make the United States the “guardian of the Middle East” in exchange for 20% of regional revenues.
Is the Iran war over?
No, although a peace deal has been reached, the Iran war is not officially over.
The agreement is expected to be signed on Friday, June 19, according to Trump and Sharif.
In a June 14 video call interview with Fox News, Vice President J.D. Vance said that ending the war depends on Iran “keeping its promise” not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
“I’m not going to say tomorrow everyone’s going to sing Kumbaya,” Vance told the network, who plans to attend the June 19 signing. “It will take some time to learn the path to peace, but I think tonight we took a big, big step.”
What’s happening now after the US-Iran peace deal?
After reaching a tentative agreement, mediators will facilitate meetings this week in Switzerland before the deal is scheduled to be signed on June 19, officials said.
Mr. Sharif described these meetings as “pre-implementation consultations” that “lay the foundation for technical discussions and a formal signing ceremony.”
President Trump will head to Evian, France, on June 15th to meet with the leaders of the G7 countries. Discussions are expected to center on a future agreement with Iran.
Two G7 countries, the UK and France, are leading a coalition of nations voluntarily joining to support the safe passage of commercial ships once the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
When did the Iran war begin?
The Iran war began on February 28 with an attack by U.S. military personnel codenamed “Operation Epic Fury.”
Gen. Dan Cain, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a press conference on March 2 that the attack involved thousands of U.S. military personnel, hundreds of aircraft, and two aircraft carriers, hitting more than 1,000 targets across the United States.
Kaine said the military received the “final go-to order” from President Trump at 3:38 p.m. on February 27th.
The next day, President Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had been killed in an airstrike.
Contributors: Christopher Cann, Charles Ventura, Francesca Chambers, Cybele Mayes-Osterman
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.
