US-Iran peace deal could see strait of Hormuz open on Friday ‘under Iranian arrangements’, says state media – Middle East crisis live

The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy said they were prepared to lift sanctions imposed on Iran, according to a joint statement Sunday, welcoming an agreement reached between the Washington and Tehran to end the war in the Middle East.

We are prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear programme. We will work intensively with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement,” the joint statement read. “Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. We stand ready to work with the US, Iran and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to this end.”

The United States will release $12bn in frozen assets to Iran before the start of negotiations, Mehr news agency reported on Monday.

Quoting a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the two nations, the document published by Mehr stipulated “the release of 24 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets during the 60?day negotiation period” that begins after the memorandum of understanding is concluded.

“Half of this amount must be made available to Iran before the start of the negotiations,” the text, which has not been officially confirmed, specifies.

In a call with the New York Times, president Trump has said that under an agreement with Iran the strait of Hormuz will be “permanently toll free”.

Trump also insisted that if Iran failed to reach a final nuclear accord with the US, he would restart military attacks on Tehran or make the US “the guardian of the Middle East” in return for 20% of the region’s revenues.

There has been no immediate reaction to the announcement from Israel, which has said it was not party to the planned US-Iran deal.

The agreement ‌was sealed despite an Israeli strike on Lebanon on Sunday that drew criticism from both Iran and Trump.

Iran’s foreign ministry said ​it held the United States responsible for the attack. Iran warned of a “strong response“, and its top joint military command said the “finger (is) on the trigger” ready to fire at the “enemy’s heart”.

In a post earlier on Sunday, Trump said: “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran.”

Some reactions to the initial deal are coming in.

UN chief António Guterres welcomed the US-Iran peace deal, describing it as a “critical step”.

“The Secretary-General hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts towards a final resolution of the conflict,” Guterres said in a statement attributed to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

UK prime minister Keir Starmer said:

“We ‌are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation ‌must now be restored in ​the Strait of Hormuz,” ⁠he said, ​adding that “Iran must ​never ​have a ​nuclear ‌weapon”.

French President Emmanuel Macron said G7 leaders would discuss on Monday the long-term reopening of the strait of Hormuz.

“The aim will be to see the consequences of this agreement, support for Lebanon, the lasting reopening of Hormuz and of course the concluding of an accord on nuclear and ballistic activities in Iran,” Macron said Sunday in a video on Instagram.

It is expected that an initial agreement between the US and Iran will be signed in Geneva on Friday.

However, many of the details of today’s deal remain unclear, notably around the reopening of the strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social Trump said:

This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region. Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me. The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace. With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region, and the World!

But on Iran’s Mehr state news, it was reported that the MoU calls for the reopening of the strait with 30 days under “Iranian arrangements”.

More from the Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi who said in televised comments in the early hours of Monday that the newly announced agreement with the United States puts an “immediate end” to the countries’ war.

A permanent and immediate end to the war has been declared on all fronts, including Lebanon.”

Markets have responded positively to the developments in Iran, with Brent crude futures hitting $83.51/bbl, the lowest since early March.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister has made several comments regarding the deal, noting that it will take effect from Friday.

Negotiations for a final deal, he said, will be held in a period of 60 days.

Meanwhile, Iranian state TV says it has been decided that marine traffic through the gulf will be regulated by Iran in coordination with Oman.

• A deal between the US and Iran has reportedly been reached. The agreement was first announced by Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan who has been acting as a mediator. Minutes later, Donald Trump confirmed the deal, writing: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.”

• Iran’s Fars News agency reported that an official statement from Iran’s supreme national security council will be issued later tonight regarding the ceasefire agreement with the US.

• Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military launched strikes on Beirut it claimed were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanon civil defense says three people were killed in the strikes.

• Iran’s highest national security body warned later that a response was “imminent” following the Israeli strike. Iran’s foreign ministry said that it holds the US directly responsible for Israel’s ceasefire breaches in Lebanon.

• Iran’s state broadcaster said that flights at airports in the west of the country are cancelled, after Tehran warned it would respond to an Israeli attack on Beirut.

• In an earlier Truth Social post, Trump criticized the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for launching the attack as Washington and Tehran were in the midst of negotiating the deal. “Why did Bibi [Netanyahu] have to do a fucking attack?” Trump told Axios. “I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no fucking judgement. I let him know that.” Trump added that he asked Iran not to respond against the Israeli strikes.

Iranian state TV is reporting that Iran “forced” the US to accept its peace deal, according to Reuters.

Iran’s Fars News agency is reporting that an official statement from the Supreme National Security Council will be issued shortly regarding the ceasefire agreement with the US. It added that it has been decided that marine traffic through the Persian Gulf and the strait of Hormuz will be regulated by Iran in coordination with Oman.

Donald Trump confirmed on his Truth Social platform that a deal between the US and Iran has been reached.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” Trump wrote. “Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

A deal between the US and Iran has been reached, says Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan who has been acting as a mediator.

“Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED,” he wrote on X. “Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

He added: “The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland.”

“With the agreement now in place, mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony.”