Key facts
- President Trump announced an interim deal with Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Strait of Hormuz is expected to be fully open by Friday.
- Iranian vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz after the US lifted its naval blockade.
- US Vice President JD Vance expects nuclear inspectors to return to Iran quickly and assist in destroying enriched uranium.
- The Trump administration denies reports of cash payouts to Iran in exchange for the deal.
- The agreement faces criticism from within the Republican Party and from Israeli officials.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon.
President Donald Trump announced an interim agreement with Iran to end the ongoing war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. The deal, which Trump stated has been electronically signed, aims to see the strait fully open by Friday, with Iranian vessels already passing through after the US lifted its naval blockade.
US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the agreement includes the return of nuclear inspectors to Iran 'very quickly' and that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will assist in destroying Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium. Vance insisted that any benefits Iran receives will be performance-based, denying reports of cash payouts in exchange for the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, the deal has drawn criticism. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, have likened the situation to the UK's Suez Canal crisis, while Senator Chuck Schumer has demanded a congressional briefing. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would continue their presence in southern Lebanon, and some cabinet members indicated they are not bound by the agreement.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the development and is planning an international maritime mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, in Tehran, residents expressed a mix of hope and mistrust regarding the potential for a more stable future.