The United States and Iran have signed an interim agreement intended to halt months of fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The accord, which entered into force immediately, also calls for Washington to lift its naval blockade as part of the commitments exchanged by both sides.
The text of the agreement was released by the two governments on Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump said any breach of the accord would risk renewed American military action. The signing took place at the Palace of Versailles in France, with French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance; Macron described the deal as paving the way for lasting peace.
Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, whose government helped mediate the talks, endorsed the pact and framed it as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding — a diplomatic breakthrough that helped produce the interim settlement.
Analysts call the agreement the most significant diplomatic development since the war began earlier this year, with the potential to ease tensions across West Asia, including in Lebanon. Global markets and governments are watching closely to see whether the ceasefire holds and whether negotiators can convert the interim deal into a comprehensive, long-term settlement.
Officials on both sides have emphasized immediate implementation of the accord’s measures, while warning that violations could prompt a strong response. Further negotiations are expected as parties work toward a durable end to the conflict.