The United States and Iran have announced a breakthrough agreement aimed at ending months of conflict in the Middle East, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and halting military operations across multiple fronts — including Lebanon.
While both sides have confirmed key elements of the deal, major details remain unclear, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and the long-term enforcement of the agreement.
Here is what we know about the deal so far.
A surprise announcement after months of war
The deal was first made public early Monday by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who said that “permanent termination of military operations on all fronts” had been agreed between Washington and Tehran, including in Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the announcement shortly after, posting on social media that “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” calling it a major step toward ending a conflict that has killed thousands and disrupted global energy markets.
Iran also confirmed the development through Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the agreement would bring an “immediate and permanent end” to hostilities, with further negotiations expected within 60 days for a final settlement.
What the deal reportedly includes
The content of the agreement, which followed weeks of fraught negotiations and periodic threats from Trump of fresh hostilities unless Iran reached a deal, remained unclear.
Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the US would release $12 billion in frozen assets to Iran before the start of negotiations.
It quoted a 14-point “memorandum of understanding” between the two nations, which it said stipulated “the release of 24 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets during the 60‑day negotiation period” that begins after the MoU is signed.
The Trump administration didn’t immediately comment on the details of the agreement, which may prove contentious as the US presses its effort to end Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and deal with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — believed to have been buried by US strikes last year.
In an interview with the New York Times on Sunday, Trump said Washington was still negotiating whether Iran would suspend its enrichment for 20 years.
The US leader hinted that he might settle for a 15-year suspension, but said he did not want to negotiate via the press.
Role of mediators
Pakistan has played a central mediating role, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye also credited for supporting negotiations.
