Key facts
- The United States and Iran have reached a framework peace deal.
- The deal aims to end a 15-week conflict and includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- A signing ceremony is reportedly set for June 19 in Switzerland.
- The agreement includes nuclear limits and the release of frozen assets.
- A permanent termination of military operations is part of the deal.
- A 60-day negotiation period is set for sanctions and the nuclear program.
- Oil prices and Asian markets surged following the announcement.
- US Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend the signing ceremony.
- Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed skepticism about the deal's timeline and terms.
- Iranian hardliners are strongly opposing the proposed peace deal.
- An Israeli strike on southern Beirut occurred amidst the US-Iran deal talks.
- The US Navy redirected 142 commercial ships and disabled nine vessels enforcing an Iran blockade.
The United States and Iran have announced a framework peace deal intended to end a 15-week conflict, with a signing ceremony reportedly set for June 19 in Switzerland. President Donald Trump stated the agreement includes nuclear limits, the release of frozen assets, and a permanent termination of military operations. The deal also mandates a 60-day negotiation period for sanctions and Iran's nuclear program, and crucially, will see the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the halt of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports. Oil prices and Asian markets surged following the announcements, with expectations that the deal will ease global inflation, although some analysts suggest full oil flow normalization could take months.
Mediators, including Qatari negotiators in Tehran and Pakistan's Prime Minister, have confirmed the deal's existence. US Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend the signing ceremony in Geneva, with President Trump also possibly attending. However, former Vice President Mike Pence has expressed skepticism regarding the timeline and the terms of the potential agreement, with disagreements persisting on the deal's specifics and signing date. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei cast doubt on a Sunday signing, citing "hesitation" from the other side. Iranian hardliners are vociferously opposing the proposed deal, arguing it fails to secure adequate sanctions relief, compensation, or control over the Strait of Hormuz. Conversely, supporters claim the deal would end the conflict without requiring new nuclear commitments. Iran's Supreme National Security Council supports dialogue, according to President Pezeshkian, though the IRGC maintains military readiness.
The conflict has involved significant military actions, including a US official reporting that a tanker attempting to breach the U.S. blockade ignored nearly 60 warnings before US military aircraft fired on it, resulting in the deaths of three Indian sailors. The US Navy's Central Command reported redirecting 142 commercial ships and disabling nine vessels that did not comply with its sea blockade, which began April 13. Western allies assess that Iran has replenished its missile arsenal during an eight-week ceasefire, potentially incorporating new Russian weapons, and now possesses approximately three-quarters of its pre-war munitions. The UN Secretary-General condemned an Israeli strike on southern Beirut amidst these negotiations, calling it a critical juncture. Iran's top negotiator criticized the US over the strike, questioning its ability to fulfill commitments. The E4 nations (UK, France, Germany, Italy) are prepared to lift sanctions if Iran takes verifiable steps on its nuclear program, though a conflicting report indicates the E3 initiated a UN sanctions snapback process. The French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle will remain in the Gulf region.
Former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman commented that the 60-day timeframe for negotiating Iran's nuclear program is "pretty short," noting that JCPOA negotiations took 18 months. Protests have occurred in Iran against diplomats discussing the potential deal, with hardline figures opposing it. The UAE has categorically denied reports of unlocking billions for Iran, stating no frozen Iranian funds have been transferred.