Recap: Peace accord announced after 108 days or war
Good morning Middle East Eye readers,
The United States and Iran have publicly declared that a peace agreement has been reached, marking the strongest signal yet that the 108-day conflict is nearing a formal end. The accord is expected to be signed in Geneva on Friday, while governments around the world welcomed the breakthrough.
Attention is now shifting to implementation, particularly in Lebanon, where disputes remain over ceasefire terms and Israeli military operations.
Here are the key updates:
President Donald Trump announced that the agreement with Iran is complete and said the US naval blockade imposed on Iran would be lifted.
Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that the text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has been finalised and is scheduled to be signed in Geneva on 19 June.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a peace agreement is now in place following months of mediation between Washington and Tehran.
US Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend the signing ceremony in Switzerland alongside senior officials from participating countries.
Iran said the agreement would end hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and launch a 60-day process to address nuclear issues, sanctions and related disputes.
The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy signalled readiness to lift sanctions on Iran as part of the diplomatic settlement.
Markets rallied and oil prices fell after news of the agreement, reflecting expectations of reduced regional instability and the eventual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Nations welcomed the ceasefire framework, while Turkey, Australia, Japan, Germany and New Zealand also voiced support for the breakthrough.
Iran's Security Council said the agreement includes an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, though reports indicated Israel does not consider itself bound by provisions requiring withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Israeli strikes and exchanges of fire continued in Lebanon, raising concerns that implementation on the ground may prove more difficult than securing the diplomatic agreement itself.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen after the agreement takes effect, although officials offered differing timelines for the restoration of normal shipping traffic.
US officials said frozen Iranian funds will not be released until Tehran begins implementing its commitments under the agreement.