UNITED STATES PERSPECTIVE

Washington, June 15, 2026. It was his 80th birthday, and Donald Trump turned it into a global event. Late Sunday evening, the American president announced via Truth Social the completion of an agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran: "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" Then, in a deliberately cinematic tone: "Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!"

The agreement, described by diplomats as a memorandum of understanding, stipulates the "immediate and permanent" cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Trump simultaneously authorized "the immediate removal of the American naval blockade" on Iranian ports. The official signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 19 in Geneva, following 107 days of conflict that had paralyzed global energy commerce.

The Strait of Hormuz, which transported approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war, will not reopen immediately. Trump specified that reopening would occur only after the signing, "for purposes of demining." Iran had laid mines in the strait during the opening weeks of the conflict; their neutralization will require significant time and resources.

Pakistan, serving as the central mediator, played a decisive role in the process. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the agreement first, minutes before Trump: "Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." Sharif also confirmed that "pre-implementation discussions" would take place this week before the formal signing.

On the nuclear dossier, the memorandum commits Tehran to renouncing the production or acquisition of atomic weapons in exchange for a gradual lifting of oil sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets blocked abroad. However, precise modalities—dilution or destruction of fissile material, future of underground facilities—remain to be negotiated within a 60-day window specified in the framework agreement. According to Axios, "it leaves key nuclear issues to be negotiated over the next two months."

Europe endorsed the agreement while setting conditions. In a joint statement, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy called the accord "a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability" and declared readiness to lift sanctions in exchange for "clear and verifiable steps" from Tehran on nuclear matters. Israel, not party to the agreement, did not react immediately; Trump, however, condemned an Israeli strike in Lebanon that occurred Sunday morning.