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Deal starts, blockade lifted
The United States and Iran signed an initial agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, launching a 60-day period of negotiations on a final deal, while the U.S. military said it has lifted a blockade of Iranian ports that had been in place since April.
Vice President JD Vance responded to Israeli criticism of the deal by saying, “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”
The BBC said the agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a $300bn (£224bn) plan for Iran’s “reconstruction,” and the US terminating “all types of sanctions” on Iran, while the nuclear programme remains to be negotiated over the extendable 60-day period.
NBC News reported that President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding, with Trump seen signing late Wednesday at the Palace of Versailles and Pezeshkian signing separately according to Iranian state media.
CNN reported that at least 10 commercial vessels were transiting the Strait of Hormuz Thursday morning as traffic increased hours after the agreement was signed.
Opposition and competing frames
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the agreement a “fiasco,” arguing President Donald Trump “gave away the store,” and he said Democrats “are not going to vote for” any potential deal that includes $300 billion for rebuilding in Iran.
In response to the backlash, JD Vance defended the interim deal by insisting, “The United States isn't giving up a cent of money to Iran,” and he said “The only way the Iranians get any of these resources ... is if they comply fully” with the terms of the deal.
The BBC quoted Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf saying, “If the enemy does not understand the language of logic, we will enter again with the language of power,” and it reported that he told state media Iran’s “finger is on the trigger.”
CNN said the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz has been downgraded to ‘moderate’ by UKMTO after the announced agreement to reopen the waterway, after it had previously been declared “critical.”
The Washington Post reported that Vice President JD Vance urged Israeli leaders to “wake up and smell the reality” that they are isolated internationally as he responded to Israeli criticism of the deal.
What’s at stake next
The memorandum’s text, as published in multiple outlets, ties sanctions relief and port access to a negotiated end to the war and sets a deadline for a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
“What to know about the Iran war: - At least 10 commercial vessels were transiting the Strait of Hormuz Thursday morning amid a noticeable increase in traffic hours after President Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed the agreement between the two countries”
NBC News said the interim agreement declares an intent to bring about an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations” in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that began Feb. 28, and it reported that Trump warned he could resume attacks if Tehran filed to honor its commitments.
The Guardian framed the stakes as a shift in what the U.S. is seeking, noting that the memorandum is based on 14 points and describing how Trump conceded Iran had a right to continue enrich uranium at Évian for the G7 meeting.
Masrawy reported that the U.S. officially published the memorandum’s 14 clauses and that it includes a commitment to end all types of sanctions on Iran and to issue exemptions for Iranian oil exports from the signing of the memorandum until sanctions are lifted.
For Iran’s side, the BBC reported that Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz “will not return to pre-war conditions,” suggesting future charges after the 60-day period in the agreement lapsed.
