Trump Announces Iran Deal Complete, Lifts Naval Blockade on Hormuz

The President made the announcement Sunday via Truth Social, declaring that the deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran had been finalized. Trump immediately authorized the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz and ordered the removal of the United States naval blockade, calling on ships worldwide to resume operations and allow oil to flow freely through the critical waterway.

The diplomatic breakthrough represents the most substantial progress since U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran commenced on February 28, according to Breitbart News. The agreement opens the door to a new phase of negotiations addressing Tehran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and other outstanding matters.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government served as a key mediator alongside Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, confirmed shortly before Trump’s statement that Washington and Tehran had reached an accord. Sharif announced on X that both parties had declared the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The Pakistani leader indicated that mediators would facilitate a series of meetings throughout the coming week ahead of an official signing ceremony set for June 19 in Switzerland.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani welcomed the agreement Sunday evening, expressing gratitude to Pakistan and other regional partners for their mediation efforts while voicing optimism that future talks would build upon this diplomatic achievement.

Trump had earlier signaled to the Wall Street Journal that a deal was imminent, indicating he would issue a statement confirming the agreement while emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately. He told the newspaper that broader issues would be addressed during subsequent negotiations, stating we’ll get the nuclear dust later on and suggesting talks would continue over the next month or two without urgency.

The framework establishes a 60-day negotiating period during which American and Iranian officials are expected to pursue a comprehensive accord covering Iran’s nuclear activities, highly enriched uranium stockpile, sanctions, inspections, and regional security matters.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that an agreement had been reached and said negotiations toward a final arrangement would proceed during the 60-day timeframe. According to Iranian media reports, Gharibabadi announced that the immediate and permanent end of the war and all military operations on various fronts, including Lebanon, would take effect beginning Sunday night.

He noted that the memorandum of understanding would be released following the official signing ceremony.

The diplomatic breakthrough came after a volatile final stretch that nearly derailed the agreement just hours before completion. Earlier Sunday, Israel conducted a strike against a Hezbollah command center in Beirut’s Dahieh district following drone incursions from Lebanon into Israeli airspace.

The Israel Defense Forces stated the facility was being used by Hezbollah operatives to coordinate attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers in southern Lebanon.

Trump publicly rebuked the timing of the operation, arguing it risked undermining the diplomatic process. The President wrote Sunday that the morning attack on Beirut should not have occurred, particularly on a significant day when peace with Iran was within reach.

Trump later told Fox News he had spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the strike, urging him to refrain from additional operations that could endanger the agreement. The President also indicated he expected the deal to be finalized within hours and said he would request that Iran not respond militarily to the Israeli action.

Iranian officials had warned throughout the day that Israel’s strike could jeopardize negotiations. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of failing to restrain Israel and suggested that continued talks could become untenable if attacks persisted.

Despite those warnings, negotiations continued as Qatari mediators remained in Tehran to help finalize the agreement.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed confidence Sunday morning that negotiations were progressing according to plan, telling CBS’s Face the Nation that the deal was on track and that it was not a question of if but when.

With information from Breitbart News