Trump signs Iran peace deal at Versailles, ending Gulf War and reopening Strait of Hormuz

The signing at Versailles

Donald Trump signed the paper copy of the memorandum of understanding with Iran during a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles. The White House released a video of the moment, showing Trump seated between Macron and his wife Brigitte, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio also present. After the signature, Macron was heard saying "bravo" and "great job" before applauding. The document was then transmitted to Tehran, where President Masoud Pezeshkian added his signature, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.

President Trump signed tonight at Versailles the agreement between Iran and the United States. This agreement paves the way for a lasting peace and allows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

A confused path to signature

The final paper signature followed days of confusion over the signing process. On Sunday, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had signed the memorandum digitally, with Trump observing but not signing himself. A US official later clarified that Trump had only witnessed that digital signature, and that the paper copy was signed by both presidents on Tuesday. The formal ceremony originally planned for Friday in Switzerland with Vance and Ghalibaf now appears superfluous, though Pakistan and Qatar, the mediators, will still host an official event in Lucerne on 19 June.

What the agreement contains

The memorandum declares an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Both sides commit to refrain from the threat or use of force and to respect Lebanon's territorial integrity. A definitive agreement must be negotiated within 60 days, extendable. The US will immediately begin unblocking Iranian ports (blockaded since 13 April) and complete the process within 30 days, and will withdraw its forces from near Iran within 30 days of the final deal. Iran guarantees safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz free of charge for 60 days, with traffic starting immediately and full restoration within 30 days after demining. Washington and regional partners will develop a reconstruction and economic development plan for Iran worth at least $300 billion.

We could have continued bombing but it would have been stupid and Hormuz wouldn't have reopened.

Reactions from Tehran and Beirut

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf told state television that the agreement "marks the failure of the United States" against Iran. Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Kassem called it a "great victory" for Iran and urged Lebanon to use the deal to "expel Israel" from Lebanese territory. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, however, stressed that direct negotiations with Israel begun in April under US auspices were independent of the US-Iran accord.

This is a great victory for Iran.

The road to peace

The conflict began on 28 February when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, causing thousands of deaths, particularly in Iran and Lebanon. Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March by firing rockets at Israel in support of Iran. The G7 summit in Evian, which Trump called "a great success", saw the allies rally behind the deal. France and the United Kingdom are preparing a European surveillance and demining mission for the Strait, with around twenty countries ready to join, according to Macron. Italy is among them.

This agreement, called 'Trump Agreement', is fantastic.