United States Tensions With Iran End as Trump Announces Completed Peace Deal
Reporting based primarily on bangkokpost.com.
United States tensions with Iran have reached a turning point after officials from both countries confirmed a peace framework agreement to end their war, with the official signing now set for Friday in Switzerland.
Deal Announcement
US and Iranian officials said on Sunday they have agreed on a peace framework for a deal to end their war, halt the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.” [1] Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has served as a mediator, announced a deal had been struck early on Monday local time. [1] Sharif wrote that the pact will be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland. [1] Trump’s post came shortly after Sharif’s announcement. [4] Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said a more expansive agreement would be negotiated during a 60-day ceasefire period. [1]
Key Terms and Immediate Effects
The pact called for the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. [1] Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would open on Friday and that he had ordered the end of the US blockade of Iranian ports. [1] Trump wrote: “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” [1] Oil prices fell on the news, with Brent crude futures falling 4% in early trading on Monday while US West Texas Intermediate slid more than 4.6%. [1] A senior Iranian official earlier told Reuters that under the terms of the draft deal the United States would agree to release $25 billion of frozen Iranian assets. [1]
Nuclear Program Provisions
Iranian negotiators said Iran agreed to maintain the nuclear status quo, including no uranium enrichment or expanding nuclear facilities, until a final deal is reached. [1] A US official said the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed. [1] Trump told The New York Times on Sunday that if Iran failed to reach a final nuclear accord with the United States he would restart military attacks on Tehran. [2] The fate of Iran’s nuclear programme will also be addressed in later talks during the 60-day ceasefire period. [1]
Context of the United States Tensions
Thousands of people have been killed, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, since US and Israeli forces first attacked Iran on Feb. 28. [1] Iran has struck Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases and has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up global energy prices. [1] US forces have blocked Iranian ports in response. [1] The Iran war has become a political liability at home for Trump and his fellow Republicans in Congress, with public opinion polls showing Americans deeply frustrated by rising gas prices ahead of November’s midterm elections. [1] Trump has also faced pressure from members of his own party who insist that Iran’s nuclear program must be completely shut down. [1]
Lebanon Tensions and Israeli Strike
The agreement was sealed despite an Israeli strike on Lebanon on Sunday that drew criticism from both Iran and Trump. [1] Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Israel’s latest attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut showed the United States lacks “the will and ability to fulfill your commitments.” [1] Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it held the US responsible for the attack. [1] 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.” [1] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has differed with Trump over American demands that Israel curb its military action in Lebanon. [1]
Reactions and Next Steps
There was no immediate reaction to the announcement from Israel, which has said it was not party to the planned US-Iran deal. [1] At pro-government rallies across Iran on Saturday night residents and news agencies reported that hardliners opposed to the framework agreement loudly voiced their dissatisfaction. [1] A resident in the northeastern city of Mashhad told Reuters that some protesters chanted “Death to the compromiser,” in an apparent reference to Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. [1] Qatari negotiators flew to Tehran on Sunday morning as part of efforts to finalise the agreement. [1] Mediators will facilitate a series of meetings between the US and Iran this week. [3]
What to watch next: Mediators will facilitate pre-implementation discussions this week that will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland.
