United States and Iran Reach Initial Deal To End War, Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with a signing ceremony set for Friday in Switzerland, mediator Pakistan said.

“Senior administration officials said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz should be fully open by Friday”

ABC News

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he “fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz” and simultaneously authorized “the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” while later saying the strait wouldn’t open until Friday’s signing.

ABC News

The memorandum of understanding gives the two sides 60 days to resolve what to do about Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its nuclear program, according to Iranian state media as cited by NBC News.

NBC News also said global markets soared after the tentative deal was announced, while oil prices fell more than $4 a barrel on news that shipping may soon be restored through the key trade route.

U.S. and Iranian officials offered conflicting accounts of what happens next after Friday’s signing, with Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi saying negotiations would begin only once the U.S. releases billions in frozen funds, while a U.S. official rejected the claim.

CBS News reported that Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard said the agreement would give Iran half of its roughly $24 billion in long-frozen funds before final negotiations begin during a 60-day ceasefire extension, while a U.S. official said earlier that Iran would get none of the money until it demonstrates compliance.

AP News

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pressed for more information, saying “the devil is in the details” and arguing that “we still don't know the details” because Trump had not even revealed the text of his understanding with Iran.

In the House, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York said Congress would exercise oversight on any accord with Iran, warning “War cannot change the Iranian regime,” while U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina described Vance as “the architect of the deal” and said he was “somewhat concerned” about differences in views.

The deal’s implementation timeline and scope hinge on whether Israel continues its offensive in Lebanon, because PBS said Israel’s defense minister said the country wouldn’t withdraw from land seized in Lebanon and that Israel is fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.

“A tentative deal is reached to end the Iran war and Trump orders a stop to the US naval blockade A tentative deal is reached to end the Iran war and Trump orders a stop to the US naval blockade ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early Monday to open the Strait of Hormuz and further extend a shaky ceasefire in the Iran war, potentially allowing desperately needed oil and natural gas to reach the global market”

AP News

PBS said the agreement gives just 60 days to decide what to do about Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its nuclear program, and it noted that the U.S. and Israel worry it could be used to build an atomic weapon despite Tehran’s insistence that it is peaceful.

NBC News said the memorandum of understanding leaves some key issues unresolved, setting up potential future tensions, and it described Netanyahu saying he will “do what is necessary” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The Atlantic framed the immediate consequence as a continuation of risk, saying “the Strait of Hormuz will remain under the threat of Iranian attacks,” while also pointing to the possibility that the agreement requires a cessation of hostilities in the region including in Lebanon.