Key facts
- The US has lifted its naval blockade of Iran following a deal to end the Middle East war.
- Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated Donald Trump signed the deal 'out of desperation'.
- The agreement mandates an immediate halt to military operations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
- US Vice-President JD Vance confirmed Iran will not receive benefits until obligations are met, including destroying enriched uranium stockpiles.
- The deal includes a $300 billion fund for Iran's reconstruction, though the US is not required to contribute.
The United States has lifted its naval blockade of Iran after the two nations signed a deal to end the ongoing war in the Middle East. Despite the agreement, Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated that Donald Trump signed the deal "out of desperation" and that he initially held a "different view."
US Central Command confirmed the blockade's cessation, aligning with the President's directive. The agreement mandates an immediate halt to military operations across all fronts and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. US Vice-President JD Vance defended the deal, emphasizing that Iran will only receive benefits, such as money or sanctions relief, upon fulfilling its obligations, which include destroying its enriched uranium stockpile and ceasing funding for proxy groups.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) triggers a 60-day period for further negotiations, with Vance indicating he would likely travel to Switzerland for technical discussions. The official signing ceremony, initially scheduled in Switzerland, was canceled as the deal was signed remotely. US and Iranian representatives are still expected to meet in Switzerland for subsequent talks.
Khamenei's statement, published on Iranian media, noted that officials acted with "sincere concern and goodwill," while Trump "out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage to bring this about." He stressed that future in-person negotiations would not signify an acceptance of the "enemy's position." This marks the supreme leader's first public response to the agreement since assuming office following his father's death.
Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post, expressed expectations for a ceasefire on all fronts, including between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the importance of US-Israel ties during the conflict. However, some members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, have criticized the deal. Vance responded to these critics, questioning their proposals and suggesting Israel cannot resolve all its security issues through military action alone.
The US-Iran agreement encompasses 14 core points, including an end to conflict, the blockade's cessation, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a commitment from Iran to never possess nuclear weapons, and a $300 billion fund for Iran's reconstruction and economic development, though US contribution is not mandated. Despite the announcement, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange strikes, with Israel asserting its conflict with Hezbollah is separate from its war with Iran, a stance Hezbollah has rejected in relation to the deal's terms.