Key facts
- US President Donald Trump announced a deal with Iran scheduled for signing on Sunday.
- The deal is expected to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all traffic.
- Iranian officials have contradicted the Sunday signing timeline, suggesting an agreement in the 'coming days'.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced support for the deal, stressing the need for lasting peace and freedom of navigation.
- Tensions in Lebanon and Iran's demand for sanctions relief are potential obstacles to the agreement.
- Tehran is commemorating the first anniversary of a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in 2025.
US President Donald Trump announced that a deal with Iran is set to be signed on Sunday, which he stated would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all traffic. This announcement comes as Tehran marks the first anniversary of a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in 2025, during which several senior military commanders were killed.
However, the timeline presented by President Trump appears to conflict with statements from Iranian officials. Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, indicated that the document would not be signed on Sunday but could be finalized in the 'coming days.'
Adding to the complexity, ongoing tensions in Lebanon and Iran's demand for sanctions relief are cited as potential obstacles that could derail the agreement. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli command centers amid Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Simultaneously, the Israeli military has conducted raids across the occupied West Bank.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed support for the deal, emphasizing the importance of ensuring it leads to a durable peace and restores freedom of navigation. Experts note that continued exchanges of fire in Lebanon could still impact the broader diplomatic process, and alternative mechanisms for sanctions relief might be explored to facilitate the agreement.