US and Iran agree to end Middle East war on all fronts, reopen Strait of Hormuz, with signing set for Friday in Geneva

Ceasefire on all fronts

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator, announced on Monday, 15 June, that Washington and Tehran had reached a protocol agreement to end hostilities. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the deal on state television, stating that it provides for "the immediate and definitive end of the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon." The agreement comes after weeks of fragile negotiations, during which Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut nearly derailed the talks.

The agreement provides for the immediate and definitive end of the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Negotiations will begin within 60 days with a view to reaching a final agreement.

The war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on 28 February, has killed thousands, including over 3,700 people in Lebanon since March. The protocol also launches a 60-day negotiation period covering sanctions relief, the nuclear file, reconstruction, economic development, and a monitoring mechanism.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil and LNG trade before the conflict, will reopen without transit fees immediately upon signature of the accord on Friday. The US naval blockade will be lifted concurrently. Demining operations are to begin at once, though full restoration of shipping volumes may take longer.

The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now finalized. I fully authorize the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees and, concurrently, the immediate lifting of the American naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!

Oil prices fell more than 4% on the news, while Tokyo's stock market surged over 4% and Seoul's over 5%. French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said pump prices should drop "as rapidly" as they had risen at the war's start, provided the strait truly reopens.

Nuclear future and sanctions in limbo

The nuclear question remains the gravest unresolved item. While Trump reiterated his vow that "Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon," reports conflict on whether the current text addresses it. Some media indicate it was excluded from the peace protocol, though Pakistani officials told the Associated Press that nuclear talks will continue during the 60-day window. The Iranian Mehr news agency, without official confirmation, reported that the deal includes the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the negotiation period, half before talks begin, but a US official rejected that claim.

It is unlikely that any agreement reached will be significantly different or constitute a significant improvement over the deal we had in the first place.

Former President Barack Obama, who negotiated the 2015 nuclear accord, voiced skepticism before the announcement. US Vice President J. D. Vance said that Iran is renouncing nuclear weapons and that sanctions relief depends on verified compliance.

International steps forward

The G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, which Trump is attending on Monday, will address the deal's next steps. French President Emmanuel Macron called for "rapid and full" implementation and said a French-British maritime mission is ready to assist the strait's reopening. The formal signing is planned for Friday in Geneva, with Trump's presence "possible."

1. Feb 28, 2026War begins with US-Israeli strikes against Iran
2. Jun 14, 2026Trump announces finalized agreement on his Truth Social platform
3. Jun 15, 2026Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif announces deal; confirmed by Washington and Tehran
4. Jun 19, 2026Signing ceremony scheduled in Geneva; Strait of Hormuz reopening and naval blockade lift begin