The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement on a 60-day ceasefire covering all major fronts of confrontation in the Middle East, including Lebanon. The two sides have also agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping and begin work on a comprehensive peace agreement. However, key issues, most notably the future of Iran’s nuclear program, remain unresolved. Equally important, Israel does not consider itself bound by the agreement.
What Is Known About the Agreement
According to available information, Washington and Tehran have agreed on a memorandum of understanding that is expected to be officially signed on June 19 in Switzerland. The full text of the document has not been published, and many of its details remain unclear.
Iranian state media claim that the memorandum contains 14 provisions. The United States has not yet confirmed this information. The document is believed to provide for a 60-day cessation of hostilities, the restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and the launch of negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement between the United States and Iran.
During this two-month period, both parties are expected to seek compromises on the most sensitive issues, chief among them Iran’s nuclear program.
The Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the American maritime blockade on Iranian ports.
“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” the U.S. president wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.
The Strait of Hormuz is of strategic importance to the global economy. A significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through this narrow waterway. Any disruption to navigation in the area inevitably affects energy prices, inflation, and international trade.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump emphasized that the ultimate goal of the agreement is to guarantee permanent free passage for commercial vessels through the strait. He also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their role in helping resolve the crisis.
The Nuclear Issue Remains Unresolved
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, the parties have yet to reach an agreement on the central issue that has fueled tensions for decades: Iran’s nuclear program. According to Trump, Washington seeks to ensure that Iran’s uranium enrichment activities remain permanently limited to peaceful purposes. However, no specific mechanism for achieving this objective has yet been agreed upon. According to U.S. sources, discussions are currently focused on limiting Iran’s uranium enrichment program for a period of between 15 and 20 years. No final decision has been made. In effect, the memorandum creates a diplomatic pause designed to give both sides time to negotiate the most difficult aspects of a future agreement.
Tehran’s Position
Iranian officials have presented the agreement as a diplomatic victory. According to state agencies of the Islamic Republic, the deal includes the unfreezing of $24 billion in Iranian assets held abroad, the easing of sanctions, and the restoration of the country’s access to international trade.
Particular attention has been drawn to Iran’s claim that future negotiations will focus exclusively on the nuclear program, sanctions relief, and economic recovery. Issues related to Iran’s missile program and its support for allied armed groups in the Middle East are reportedly excluded from the negotiating agenda.
If confirmed, this would represent a significant concession by Washington, as Iran’s regional activities have long been one of the main concerns of the United States and its allies.
Europe’s position
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy have welcomed the agreement. In a joint statement, the European countries reaffirmed their willingness to consider further sanctions relief if Iran takes clear and verifiable steps to limit its nuclear program.
For Europe, stabilizing the situation around the Strait of Hormuz carries both political and economic significance. Reduced risks to global energy supplies could have a positive impact on European economies, which remain highly sensitive to fluctuations in oil and gas prices.
Israel’s Position
Israel remains the key source of uncertainty. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet publicly commented on the agreement. However, statements by senior members of his government indicate that Israel has no intention of altering its security strategy.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israel Defense Forces would continue operating in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip for as long as necessary to ensure the country’s security. He also warned that any attacks by Iran-backed groups would be met with a forceful military response.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir adopted an even firmer stance, emphasizing that the agreement between Washington and Tehran imposes no obligations on Israel. As a result, even if the United States and Iran succeed in maintaining the ceasefire, this does not guarantee an end to regional tensions and confrontation.
