Key facts
- President Trump announced a US-Iran peace deal, ending the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The agreement, brokered by Pakistan, includes an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
- Israeli officials rejected the cessation of hostilities clause and stated they are not bound by the agreement.
- The deal is scheduled to be signed on Friday in Switzerland.
- Iranian expectations include sanctions relief and an end to attacks on Lebanon.
President Donald Trump announced a peace deal between the United States and Iran, which includes an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and an end to the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement, brokered by Pakistan, is set to be signed in Switzerland on Friday.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the deal, thanking Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for their roles in the negotiations. Both the US and Iran have confirmed the agreement, with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating a final agreement is due within 60 days.
However, Israeli officials have rejected the clause regarding the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, asserting they are not bound by the agreement. Israeli forces carried out attacks in southern Lebanon on Monday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly informed Trump that Israel would not accept Iranian demands in Lebanon, and Defence Minister Israel Katz stated the Israeli army would remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza indefinitely.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the deal 'bad for Israel and for the entire free world,' while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir declared it 'does not bind us in any way.' Culture Minister Miki Zohar indicated Israel would strike Iran if its security was threatened.
Reactions from Israeli media and political figures were largely critical. Journalists close to Netanyahu lashed out at Trump, and right-wing think tanks expressed skepticism about the agreement's longevity. Opposition figures criticized Netanyahu's leadership, with Yair Golan claiming the deal transfers billions to Iran while preserving its nuclear programs, and Gadi Eisenkot stating it failed to address Israel's security concerns.
Meanwhile, Iranians are awaiting the deal's implementation, anticipating sanctions relief and an end to attacks on Lebanon. US Representative Ro Khanna urged Democrats to support the deal for its economic benefits and to avoid war, while a former US counterterrorism official suggested cutting aid to Israel to ensure the deal's stability. The White House has not yet released the text of the Memorandum of Understanding.