Key facts
- A peace deal between Iran and the US is set to be signed in Switzerland on June 19.
- The deal aims to end military operations on all fronts and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Israel has stated it is not bound by the US-Iran deal and will not withdraw from seized territories.
- Lebanon reports 3,798 killed and 11,781 injured in Israeli attacks since March 2.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the US memorandum of understanding an 'honourable document'.
- 90% of Iran's Supreme National Security Council members voted in favor of the agreement.
- The US has signed a preliminary agreement with Iran, with the text to be released this week.
- Iran will only receive sanctions relief upon fulfilling its obligations.
- The US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect until the June 19 agreement.
- Iran and the US will address Iran's nuclear program post-ceasefire.
- A former Deputy Secretary of State called the 60-day nuclear deal timeline 'pretty short'.
- The US Navy redirected 142 commercial ships and disabled nine vessels enforcing the Iran blockade.
The United States and Iran have finalized a preliminary peace deal to end military operations on all fronts and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with the agreement scheduled for signing in Switzerland on June 19. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the memorandum of understanding as an "honourable document" if implemented, noting that 90% of the Supreme National Security Council members voted in favor. Vice President JD Vance announced the preliminary agreement, stating that the deal's text would be released this week and that Iran would only receive sanctions relief upon fulfilling its obligations. The U.S. has also stated that no funds would be released to Iran in exchange for signing the deal.
This agreement aims to de-escalate regional tensions, with Iran emerging from recent conflict politically emboldened, though Gulf confidence in U.S. protection has been shaken. Lebanon, which has reported 3,798 deaths and 11,781 injuries from Israeli attacks since March 2, is seeking a full Israeli withdrawal and prisoner release, hoping the deal brings regional stability. A Hezbollah official stated the group has ceased military operations, contingent on Israel's compliance. However, Israel's defense minister declared the country will not withdraw from land seized in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, planning to remain indefinitely despite the preliminary US-Iran agreement. Residents in southern Lebanon returned to their villages cautiously, facing unexploded ordnance and ongoing Israeli occupation.
Beyond the immediate ceasefire, the U.S. and Iran are set to tackle critical issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program, including managing highly enriched uranium, determining enrichment levels, ensuring a complete program inventory, and establishing verification mechanisms. A former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman commented that the proposed 60-day timeframe for negotiating the nuclear program is "pretty short," contrasting it with the 18 months for the JCPOA. Meanwhile, the U.S. military's blockade of Iranian ports continues until the June 19 agreement, with 142 commercial ships redirected and nine vessels disabled for non-compliance since April 13. Iran has claimed the U.S. will grant access to frozen funds but not provide direct monetary transfers. Iran's Civil Aviation Authority stated flights nationwide are normal, despite earlier reports of cancellations. Iran has also threatened to strike SpaceX and Starlink facilities, accusing them of aiding U.S. operations.
International reactions to the deal have been mixed. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged further U.S.-Iran talks for positive outcomes, while Japan, Germany, and New Zealand welcomed the agreement and urged restraint. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed hope for the memorandum's signing this week, with Iran's Foreign Minister indicating a meeting between negotiating team heads is probable on Friday in Switzerland. Iran's top joint military command stated its forces are prepared to strike, as U.S. warships head toward the Middle East.