Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced that the United States and Iran had reached a peace agreement following intensive diplomatic engagement, with both sides agreeing to end military operations and move towards a formal settlement. In a post on X, the prime minister said the agreement provided for the immediate and permanent cessation of military actions on all fronts, including Lebanon. He added that a formal signing ceremony was scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 19.
Mediation and International Support
PM Shehbaz thanked the leadership of Qatar for its mediation efforts and acknowledged the contributions of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in facilitating the agreement. He said mediators would oversee a series of meetings in the coming days to prepare for technical discussions and the implementation phase of the accord.
Regional Tensions and US Confirmation
The announcement came a day after an Israeli strike on Lebanon heightened regional tensions and underscored the urgency of diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Separately, US President Donald Trump declared that the agreement with Iran was "now complete" in a post on his Truth Social platform. He said the deal would help restore peace and stability in the region and announced that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen following the signing of the agreement. Trump also stated that the United States would end its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran would facilitate the reopening of key maritime routes. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies, has remained at the centre of regional tensions in recent months.
Iranian and Qatari Perspectives
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said broader negotiations, including discussions on sanctions relief and Tehran's nuclear programme, would take place during a proposed 60-day ceasefire period. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani welcomed the understanding reached between Washington and Tehran and thanked Pakistan and other regional stakeholders for helping create conditions conducive to dialogue. He expressed hope that future negotiations would proceed in a constructive manner and reaffirmed Qatar's support for peaceful conflict resolution.
International Reactions and Casualties
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the agreement, stressing the importance of restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and reiterating that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, since hostilities escalated earlier this year. The war has also disrupted global energy markets and increased political pressure on the US administration amid concerns over rising fuel prices and regional instability. Israel, however, has stated that it is not a party to the proposed US-Iran agreement.
