President Donald Trump has secured a peace agreement with Iran coinciding with his 80th birthday, officials have confirmed.
According to the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, the accord will bring an immediate end to all military operations between the US and Iran.
"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. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon," Sharif posted on X.
"The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland. We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in this mediation effort, the great leadership of State of Qatar, for their support in reaching this agreement.
"I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Türkiye for their immense contributions in this regard. 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."
President Trump wasted no time taking to Truth Social to hail the agreement, declaring that he would authorise the lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports with immediate effect.
"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. 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!" he posted following the announcement.
Iran itself also confirmed the agreement. Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi stated: "The text of the memorandum of understanding has been finalized, and the official signing of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding will take place in Switzerland on Friday."
The agreement was struck amid last-minute resistance from Iran, which announced through the state's semi-official Fars News Agency that the terms of an agreement to bring the conflict to a close had not yet been settled and that talks would continue beyond Sunday. Iranian leaders were reportedly further incensed and unwilling to sign any deal this weekend after Israel launched an attack on Lebanon on Sunday, stating it was specifically targeting Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburbs.
Following Israel's strike, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared there was "no point" in pressing ahead with talks with the Trump administration if Washington lacked the "will and ability" to fulfil its pledges to halt Israeli attacks on Lebanon. What ultimately prompted Iran to reverse its earlier position and agree to sign the deal remains uncertain.
Before the deal was announced, Trump took to social media on Sunday to condemn the recent strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. Earlier that same day, Lebanon's Civil Defense Ministry confirmed that Israeli attacks had left three people dead and six others wounded.
"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. Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process," Trump wrote.
"We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down. There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace - Let's not blow it!" he added. Israel's strike on Lebanon followed accusations that Hezbollah had breached ceasefire arrangements by firing three projectiles towards communities in northern Israel.
Pakistan previously suggested a final agreement was imminent.
Pakistan, a crucial intermediary between the US and Iran, had earlier indicated that an agreement to conclude the conflict was nearer than ever, with President Trump declaring on Saturday that it would be "signed tomorrow."
The president went on to say that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately following the signing.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday that an agreement was anticipated to be concluded within 24 hours. Both parties were expected to sign electronically.
However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, in remarks reported by state media, said the signing "will not happen tomorrow," though "the likelihood of finalizing the memorandum of understanding in the coming days is high."
A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since 7 April. Trump has claimed on numerous occasions in recent weeks that the nations were on the brink of an agreement.
Yet Iran has consistently expressed caution in negotiations, highlighting that earlier discussions with the US last year and early this year concluded with strikes by the US and Israel.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson stated the memorandum of understanding being discussed was centred on concluding the conflict and "at this stage, it has been decided that there will be no discussion of the nuclear issue."
Iran's nuclear programme and highly enriched uranium have long been at the heart of tensions with the US and Israel, and remain a significant source of international concern.
Taking to social media at the weekend, Trump declared that "when all is calm," the US would move in and "downblend and destroy" the enriched uranium, either within Iran or on American soil.
