US, IRAN REACH DEAL TO END WAR AND REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - GENEVA — The United States and Iran have reached an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The deal marks a major diplomatic breakthrough after more than three months of conflict that disrupted global energy markets and heightened regional tensions.

The agreement is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on Friday.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that a deal had been reached and announced that he had ordered an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump hailed the agreement as a major step toward regional stability.

“This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

He added that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the signing would allow oil shipments to resume through one of the world's most critical energy corridors.

“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,” Trump said.

Pakistan, which played a key mediating role in the negotiations, said both sides had agreed to the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The breakthrough follows a conflict that began on Feb. 28 when US and Israeli strikes targeted Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering attacks across the region.

Iranian state television portrayed the agreement as a diplomatic victory, while officials in Tehran had yet to release full details of the accord.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is expected to restore one of the world's most important maritime routes for oil, natural gas and other commodities after months of disruption that rattled global markets and sent energy prices higher.

Washington had previously indicated it would ease restrictions on Iranian ports and consider sanctions relief measures that could allow Iran to increase oil exports and support its economy.

Pakistan said mediators would continue facilitating meetings aimed at launching technical discussions on implementing the agreement.

Despite the breakthrough, major issues remain unresolved, including the future of Iran's nuclear program, its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the status of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful and has not publicly agreed to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses more than 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level close to weapons-grade material.

Iranian officials have emphasized that the current agreement is focused on ending the war and reopening diplomatic channels, while more complex issues are expected to be addressed in future negotiations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Washington and Tehran for pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and expressed his appreciation to Qatar for its role in the mediation effort.
"We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in this mediation effort, the great leadership of the State of Qatar, for their support in reaching this agreement," he said.
He also credited Saudi Arabia and Türkiye for contributing to the negotiations, saying: “I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Türkiye for their immense contributions in this regard.”