Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة وإيران على وشك إنهاء اتفاق السلام هذا الأسبوع

US President Donald Trump has announced that a deal with Iran will be signed this Friday, following a series of statements this week suggesting a ceasefire agreement after more than 100 days of war. The war began following a US-Israeli assault on Iran on 28 February. Tehran has since confirmed the announcement, saying that an end to the war will be declared early on Monday morning GMT. According to Al Jazeera, the agreement aims to bring about a permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, broke the news on X on Sunday. He stated that both parties had agreed to a full termination of military actions. Trump confirmed the deal on his Truth Social account, indicating that it authorizes the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the immediate removal of the United States naval blockade.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi echoed the sentiment, stating that an end to military operations was expected soon. He mentioned that negotiations for a final agreement would take place during a 60-day period, contingent upon Iran verifying that the US had fulfilled its commitments, including ending hostilities, lifting the naval blockade, and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

The draft agreement reportedly includes 14 key points, such as a permanent and immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon; the complete lifting of the naval blockade within 30 days; a US commitment to withdraw its forces from around Iran; and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The deal also aims to address sanctions on oil sales and finalize nuclear discussions within 60 days of signing.

The official signing ceremony will take place on June 19 in Switzerland, with technical talks planned throughout the week. The agreement is seen as a significant step towards restoring stability in the region and promoting economic growth. Both Iran and the US have expressed gratitude to Pakistan and Qatar for their roles in facilitating the negotiations.