US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed an initial agreement aimed at ending the conflict between their countries, with both sides committing to further negotiations over the next 60 days to secure a permanent settlement.
The 14-paragraph memorandum of understanding, which came into effect on Wednesday, outlines a framework for ending hostilities and resolving key disputes between Washington and Tehran. The agreement states that the 60-day negotiating period is “extendable with mutual consent” if both parties require additional time to reach a final accord.
Trump signed a copy of the agreement during a dinner in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron. The move came ahead of an official signing ceremony involving US and Iranian representatives that had been expected to take place in Switzerland on Friday, although it remains unclear whether that event will now proceed.
The first section of the agreement commits the US and its allies to an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations on “all fronts”, including Lebanon, where fighting linked to the wider conflict has intensified in recent months.
Lebanon has remained a major point of tension throughout the war, with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group operating from Lebanon, and Israel repeatedly accusing each other of violating ceasefire commitments.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei warned on Telegram that any continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon would be regarded as a breach of the memorandum. According to Iranian state television, he also stated that the continued presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon would be a “violation” of the agreement.
The comments came after the Israeli military carried out fresh strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. The military also reported that one of its soldiers died after being injured in an “incident” in southern Lebanon.
Speaking at the G7 Summit in France, Trump acknowledged the continuing tensions in Lebanon but stressed that the agreement with Tehran remained the priority. He said peace in Lebanon is “something we will have to work on”, but added that “the big deal is the Iran deal”.
The Israeli government has not yet publicly responded to the signing of the agreement.
Among the key provisions is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Under the terms of the deal, the US will begin lifting its naval blockade, with the agreement specifying that the blockade is expected to end completely within 30 days.
Iran, meanwhile, has pledged to “make arrangements using its best efforts” to ensure commercial vessels can pass safely through the Strait without charges for a period of 60 days.
The memorandum also includes a proposed $300 billion (£224 billion) programme for Iran’s “reconstruction and economic development”. In addition, the US has agreed to terminate “all types of sanctions” imposed on Iran as part of the broader peace framework.
On the nuclear issue, Iran has committed not to procure or acquire a nuclear weapon, while both countries have agreed to continue negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement within a “maximum” of 60 days.
Although the agreement sets a provisional deadline for reaching a final deal, Trump suggested the process could take longer if necessary. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said “it could take longer”.
The agreement represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran since the conflict began and establishes a roadmap for negotiations aimed at delivering a lasting peace agreement.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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