In brief
In a surprise announcement at the G7 summit, President Donald Trump said a preliminary deal to end the war with Iran had already been signed, with officials promising the full text within days. The agreement, signed electronically by Trump, Vice‑President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60‑day ceasefire, while technical talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are slated to begin this week. The deal does not address the removal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, but Israel retains the right to defend itself, and the United Nations leaders insist Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. While sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian oil revenues depend on compliance, the nuclear issue remains unresolved as officials say the agreement is a first step toward de‑escalation.
During a press conference in the Palazzo Medice in Florence, President Donald Trump announced that an initial, preliminary deal to end the war with Iran had already been signed. According to senior U.S. officials, the agreement was signed electronically by Trump, Vice‑President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and copies of the text will be released shortly after the ceremony in Geneva.
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a flashpoint for shipping disruptions for years, and establishes a 60‑day ceasefire period under which the parties will negotiate a final settlement. Technical talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are expected to begin within the week.
While the agreement signals a significant diplomatic breakthrough, it does not compel Israel to withdraw from Lebanon or Syria, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would remain in security zones as long as necessary. Iranian diplomats confirmed the immediate end of military operations on state television, framing the deal as a victory for Iran’s strategic interests.
European leaders, including the prime ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, echoed the United States in insisting that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, and they are prepared to lift sanctions once Iran demonstrates clear, verifiable progress on its nuclear program. However, the nuclear issue remains unresolved, as the US and its allies emphasize continued scrutiny of Iran’s enrichment activities.
According to U.S. officials, any sanctions relief or release of frozen assets will be conditional on Iran meeting its commitments under the deal and continuing compliance with the agreed framework.
