Key facts
- A US-Iran ceasefire deal has been reached, with a signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland.
- The agreement includes a halt to fighting in Lebanon and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
- President Trump confirmed the deal is complete and the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz has ended.
- Experts estimate it could take months for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to return to pre-war levels.
- Damage to oil and gas production facilities in Gulf countries will also impact recovery timelines.
The United States and Iran have finalized a ceasefire agreement, with a signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, following intensive mediation efforts. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal is complete and announced the end of Washington's naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
The agreement, which largely returns to a pre-war status, includes a halt to fighting in Lebanon and the reopening of the critical shipping lane. However, Iran has not yet officially confirmed the signing, and Israel has renewed air attacks on Beirut, raising concerns about the deal's implementation.
Experts caution that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz may take months to return to pre-war levels. Rockford Weitz, a professor of practice in maritime studies, noted that de-mining operations are necessary, and the shipping industry will need confidence to resume normal operations. Furthermore, damage to oil and gas production facilities in countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait will require time to recover.
International reactions have been mixed. Qatar welcomed the memorandum of understanding and will host preparatory meetings. The UK and France have expressed support for the deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a 'critical step' towards conflict resolution. Several Republican lawmakers welcomed the agreement, though some, like Lindsey Graham, expressed concerns about differing interpretations and called for Congressional review. Conversely, top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries criticized President Trump's handling of the situation, stating America is less safe, while Gregory Meeks called for rigorous oversight by Congress.