Iran: agreement reached to end the war; signing to take place on Friday in Geneva

Next up: talks on sanctions, the nuclear programme and reconstruction in Iran

An agreement has been reached between the United States and Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East, including the conflict in Lebanon. The signing is scheduled for Friday in Geneva. The announcement was made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who acted as mediator, and has been confirmed by Washington and Tehran. “The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now concluded,” wrote US President Donald Trump on Truth. “I fully authorise the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees and, in parallel, the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow freely!” The opening of the Strait, Trump added, will take place after the agreement has been signed and mine-clearing operations have been completed.

"The agreement provides for 'the immediate and definitive end to the war and military operations on the various fronts, including Lebanon'," Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on television, adding that negotiations would begin within 60 days to reach a final agreement on four issues: the lifting of sanctions against Iran, the nuclear issue, the reconstruction and economic development of Iran, and the mechanism for monitoring the commitments made. According to Trump’s statement to the New York Times, the nuclear negotiations will concern Tehran’s acceptance of a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment, and a compromise could be reached at 15 years. According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, the text of the agreement includes the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, half of which could be released before talks begin.

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