Iran War live: Peace deal announced as Trump says Strait of Hormuz is back open

Iran War live: Peace deal announced as Trump says Strait of Hormuz is back open Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, Shehbaz Sharif has said. The US and Iran have reached a peace agreement, Donald Trump and the prime minister of Pakistan have both said this evening. Both Iran and the US “have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif said. Meanwhile Donald Tump said the Strait of Hormuz was now re-opened and announced the US was lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports. "Ships of the world, start your engines," he wrote, adding "let the oil flow!" The official signing ceremony will be on Friday 19 June in Switzerland, Mr Sharif said. The deal came after hours of tense speculation about whether a deal would be reached today, following Israeli strikes on Beirut which threatened to derail peace talks as Iranian officials vowed revenge. In a post on Truth Social yesterday Trump said the deal was “scheduled to get signed tomorrow” but Iranian officials had been more hesitant, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei saying Iran needed to "remain cautious". Key Events US Vice-President JD Vance told Fox News that the agreement with Iran had the potential to "fundamentally transform the Middle East for the next 50 years". "This region of the world has been a basket case for my entire life and longer than that. He added that Donald Trump had managed to "eliminate the threat of Iran". Vance said it will now be possible "to build to a new era of Middle East prosperity and success". "Where frankly we can generate a lot of prosperity for the American people out of that region." Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand welcomes the announcement of the acceptance of the United States – Iran Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. “This pivotal, constructive deal is a step towards reducing tensions and promoting stability in a region that is critical to global economic security. “The disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has had serious impacts on New Zealand’s economy, as well as on our Pacific partners,” Mr Peters says. “We welcome steps that will enable the safe reopening of this vital maritime route and restore confidence in key supply chains. “Dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective means of resolving longstanding issues. “This is a good first step and we hope the parties now seize the opportunity to resolve the tensions in the region,” Mr Peters says. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he hopes the deal will lead to a "durable and lasting peace". "While full recovery will take time, restoring this vital trade corridor is essential to easing pressure on energy prices and economies, including in our region," he says. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed "the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed on a peace deal". "This represents a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict," a spokesperson said. Mehr News Agency, a semi-official Iranian state news outlet, says the points include: - A permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon - US commitment not to interfere with Iran's internal affairs - Lifting of US naval blockade within 30 days - US withdrawal of forces from Iran - Reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days "under Iranian arrangements" - The US and its allies delivering reconstruction plans for Iran worth at least $300bn - Ending sanctions on Iranian oil and energy products - Reiteration of Iran's commitment not to produce nuclear weapons - US commitment not to increase its forces in the region and not impose new sanctions Mehr also reported that "final negotiations will not begin before half of Iran's frozen funds are released, Iran's oil sanctions are suspended, and the naval blockade is lifted". Iran's deputy foreign minister says Qatari mediators held "nearly 14 to 15 hours of lengthy talks" in Tehran before an agreement was made. ”This negotiation process took a long time," Kazem Gharibabadi told Iranian state media on Monday. "A Qatari delegation was in Tehran yesterday to finalise discussions on the text of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States. "Nearly 14 to 15 hours of lengthy talks took place, during which we presented the Islamic Republic of Iran’s final amendments to the text. Naturally, those amendments were accepted, and the text of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding was finalised.” Iranian state media says that the lifting of the US naval blockade will occur within 30 days, as per the agreement. The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked by the US military after Tehran effectively closed it. Roughly 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas supplies are usually transported through the strait. The US president has told the New York Times that the agreement with Iran means the Strait of Hormuz is "permanently toll free". The NYT says in a 28-minute phone call the US president added that if Iran fails to reach a final nuclear accord with the US he would restart military attacks, or make the US "the guardian of the Middle East" in return for a fifth of the region's revenue. Oil prices have fallen after the announcement of the peace deal, with the Strait of Hormuz set to be reopened. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was 3.8 per cent lower at $84.02 (£62.48) a barrel, while US-traded oil was down 4.1 per cent at $81.40. The strait was closed shortly after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. The deal will be officially signed on Friday. The full details of the proposed deal have yet to be published. There still remain questions over how any memorandum of understanding would prevent further clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement along the Lebanese border. It is also unclear what guarantees would ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains fully open and how any restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme would be monitored and enforced. French President Emmanuel Macron says G7 leaders will discuss the long-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in a meeting this week in the French resort town of Evian. Macron said in a video on Instagram: "The aim will be to see the consequences of this agreement, support for Lebanon, the lasting reopening of Hormuz and of course the concluding of an accord on nuclear and ballistic activities in Iran." The three day summit will see ;eaders from Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States gather. Sir Keir Starmer, in a joint statement with the leaders of France, Germany and Italy, said the US-Iran deal must be “implemented rapidly and comprehensively”. The joint statement from the so-called E4 said: “We warmly welcome the announcement of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. We congratulate the United States, the Iranian government and all those involved, including Pakistan, Qatar and all other mediators, on this diplomatic breakthrough. “This is a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilise the global economy. “It is now vital that the detailed negotiations are concluded and this agreement is implemented rapidly and comprehensively. We are ready to support that effort. “The urgent re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation is essential. We are committed to playing our part to achieve this —in accordance with our respective constitutional requirements— including through a strictly defensive and independent mission to reassure commercial shipping and conduct mine clearance operations. “Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. We stand ready to work with the US, Iran and the IAEA to this end. We are prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear programme. “We will work intensively with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement. “We also reaffirm our full support to the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and the importance of a robust ceasefire.” Donald Trump has signalled the Strait of Hormuz will reopen “for purposes of mine removal” with the signing of an agreement between the US and Iran on Friday. He wrote on his Truth Social platform: “This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region. “Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me. The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace. “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!” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I warmly welcome today’s agreement reached between the United States and Iran. This is a hugely important step forward in ending the war, ensuring regional stability, and re-opening the Strait of Hormuz. I congratulate President Trump and the mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and elsewhere who have contributed to this breakthrough. We have long urged de-escalation and this is the progress we had hoped to see. “Attention must now turn to fully implementing the memorandum of understanding to ensure the Strait reopens and remains fully and permanently open, and that the detailed elements of the nuclear agreement are finalised. We stand ready to support the technical talks that will now begin. Our priority is that this becomes a durable and lasting peace, and we will work with international partners to support that. “We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz, to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt for several months – on families here in the UK and around the world. “We will continue to work with partners to support this – including, if required, through standing up the defensive, independent multilateral mission which the UK and France have taken a leading role in planning up to this point, particularly to offer support on mine clearance in an agreed way. “For any peace to endure, it is essential that the commitments made, particularly in relation to Iran’s nuclear programme, are robust, verifiable, and fully implemented. It remains the UK’s firm and longstanding position that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.” The prime minister of Qatar, who acted alongside Pakistan as a mediator, has welcomed the peace deal. "We extend our thanks to our brothers in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani posted on X. "We look forward to all parties engaging in the forthcoming negotiations in a positive and constructive spirit that will help consolidate this progress and build upon it." The US has agreed to lift the naval blockade on Iranian ports as part of the deal. Trump has also said that traffic should resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has confirmed that a deal has been reached with the US on state TV. "An immediate and permanent end to the war and military operations on different fronts including Lebanon will be announced tonight," he says via phone call. Gharibabadi added that the US naval blockade against Iran will also be lifted tonight. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a peace deal between US and Iran has been reached. He said: "Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. "Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. "The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland. We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict. "We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in this mediation effort, the great leadership of State of Qatar, for their support in reaching this agreement. "I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Türkiye for their immense contributions in this regard. "With the agreement now in place, mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony." Donald Tump has said the Strait of Hormuz was now fully opene and and the US was lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports. "Ships of the world, start your engines," he wrote, adding "let the oil flow!" The peace deal between the US and Iran has been reached, Pakistan’s prime minister has said. Shehbaz Sharif said both Iran and the US “have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” "The official signing ceremony will be on Friday 19 June in Switzerland," he added. Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, has said “zero hour” had arrived following Israel’s attack on Beirut’s adding “the launchers are being prepared.” “The miscalculation in Beirut brought patience to an end and the order was issued. Zero hour has arrived and the launchers are being prepared,” Velayati wrote on X. Iran and the US have been inching closer to a deal to end the Iran war, as Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran on Sunday to finalise the agreement, according to two regional officials. The officials expressed cautious optimism that the US and Iran were finally approaching an agreement that could halt hostilities that have killed thousands of people, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure has thrown world markets into disarray. Mr Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that the deal would be signed on Sunday, while Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said it could happen in the coming days. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary has warned “the response of the fighters of Islam is forthcoming” after an Israeli airstrike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier today. Donald Trump previously stated a US-Iran peace deal was due to be signed today, Trump’s birthday, but an Israeli strike on Beirut earlier this afternoon seems to have derailed any hopes for an agreement today. Meanwhile Iranian security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said in a post on X: “Lebanon is our lifeblood, and any violation of the Islamic Republic's red lines will not be tolerated," he added. Trump has blasted the Prime Minister of Israel in a phone call today after an Israeli strike on Beirut threatened to derail the peace deal that had been planned to be signed today. Trump told Axios he "couldn't believe it" when the IDF launched a strike on southern Beirut on the day the US and Iran had been scheduled to sign a peace deal. "Why did Bibi have to do a f****** attack? I was so p***** off, I let him know," he said. "He has no f****** judgement, I let him know that." It comes after another recent heated phone call where Trump said he told Netanyahu: “You better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon." President Donald Trump is marking his 80th birthday - and to mark the landmark occasion, we've rounded up some of his comments on women, people of colour and the environment as well as the war in the Middle East. One of Iran’s leading negotiators has said that today’s Israeli strikes on Beirut show "that the United States lacks both the will and the ability to fulfill its commitments”. Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf wrote on his X social media account: “The Zionists’ aggression against Dahiyeh [in southern Beirut] has once again demonstrated that the United States either lacks the will to implement its commitments or the ability to do so.” He added: “You cannot gain concessions by giving the regime a green light. The good cop–bad cop game has become outdated.” Iran has repeatedly insisted that Lebanon must be included in any peace deal with the US, even as Israel continues strikes against its northern neighbour, claiming to be targeting Hezbollah militants. Trump has posted on Truth Social blasting an Israeli strike on Beirut after he previously said a peace deal was due to be signed today. He said the attack "should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a peace deal with Iran". Trump also said “all sides should stand down. There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon.” Fighting has continued in Lebanon between Israel, which has pushed its invasion deeper than at any point in over a quarter-century, and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group despite a ceasefire. Iran has wanted a ceasefire deal to include the fighting in Lebanon. Tehran also has sought the release of billions of dollars in frozen funds. The deal in its current form is a deep disappointment to Israel’s government, which has been sidelined in negotiations led by Pakistan and others. Even critics in Trump’s own Republican Party, struggling with an unpopular war ahead of the midterm elections, criticised the deal. Some said it did not improve on the terms of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that Trump withdrew the US from during his first term and which he still describes as “bad.” The deal does not solve the thorniest issues between the US and Iran, including the nuclear programme or its frozen assets, but offers a 60-day framework for technical discussions on those issues, according to Pakistani and regional officials. The officials described Pakistan’s months-long effort leading the negotiations, struggling to keep both sides from walking out of the room and a total collapse of the negotiations on multiple occasions. Under the current deal being discussed, US and Israel appear to have fallen short of their original goals of destroying Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes and ending its support for proxies. It is not clear how the deal will address these issues, or if they will be part of the final agreement. Meanwhile, Trump was expected to discuss demining the Strait of Hormuz during the Group of Seven summit that starts Monday. The waterway is crucial to significant shipments of oil, natural gas and related products like fertilizer, and its effective closure rocked the global economy. Iran and the US inched closer to a deal to end the Iran war, as Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran on Sunday to finalize the agreement, according to two regional officials. The officials expressed cautious optimism that the US and Iran were finally approaching an agreement that could halt hostilities that have killed thousands of people and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure has thrown world markets into disarray. The deal is expected to be signed electronically, without an in-person ceremony, though it’s unclear when or how the signing will take place. An Indian crew member has died aboard a commercial ship amid the Middle East conflict. The man died from medical complications aboard the MT Celestial while it was at Duqm Port in Oman, the Indian embassy in Muscat said. It wrote on X: "The Embassy remains in close touch with family members of the Indian national Mr. Nishanth Uirthanathan who unfortunately lost his life due to medical conditions." It added: "Efforts are underway to facilitate the earliest possible disembarkation and repatriation of his mortal remains." It comes after three Indian sailors were killed by a US strike on a tanker off the coast of Oman this week.