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WASHINGTON : The US and Iran finalised a deal to end their 107-day war and open the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway used to ferry one-fifth of the global oil supplies, on Friday after in-person signing of the agreement in Switzerland.
US President Donald Trump made the announcement of Truth Social on Sunday evening, easing pressure on the global energy markets, as officials said the peace agreement would be signed on June 19 in Switzerland.
“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all,” Trump said, adding that it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
However, in a subsequent post, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will open on Friday after the official signing of the agreement.
The finalisation of the deal, on a day when Trump turned 80, capped a tumultuous week of war and diplomacy when the US carried out strikes on Iran and the US president, at the last minute, backed off a threat to take control of the Kharg Island, the oil export hub of the Islamic Republic.
“The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace. With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region, and the World,” he said.
Hours before the deal was to be finalised, Israel’s airstrike at Hezbollah targets in Beirut saw tensions flaring and Trump engaging in a heated conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He told US media that he had told Netanyahu and the Iranian negotiators to guard against a fresh round of attacks.
The agreement calls for the US and Iran to negotiate over Iran’s nuclear enrichment and the disposal of its highly enriched uranium during a 60-day window.
The deal was negotiated through mediators that included Pakistan and Qatar, who initially got a two-week ceasefire agreement on April 8. The ceasefire was extended till the completion of the talks.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28 that saw Tehran lose several of its top leadership, including the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamemei, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Mohammad Pakpour, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh among others.
Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, is now the supreme leader, but has not been seen in public since the war began. (Agencies)
