US and Iran agree deal to end war as Trump says Strait of Hormuz to reopen

What Happened

The United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, have agreed to a framework deal to end their conflict, with President Donald Trump announcing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the deal on Sunday evening, stating both sides had declared 'the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.' Trump ordered the immediate removal of a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and said the Strait of Hormuz would be opened upon the signing of the initial agreement in Switzerland on Friday. Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the end of military operations on state TV, and Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters framed the deal as a victory. Israeli politicians pushed back: Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel opposed a withdrawal from the roughly 5% of Lebanese territory it occupies and threatened to strike Iran 'with full force' if attacked; National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir wrote that 'Trump's agreement does not bind us.' Gharibabadi said Qatari mediators held 'nearly 14 to 15 hours of lengthy talks' in Tehran. The deal extends an 8 April ceasefire for another 60 days to finalise terms on Iran's nuclear enrichment and sanctions relief. The conflict began on 28 February when Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, killing its supreme leader; Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and US bases, drawing in Hezbollah from Lebanon.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The deal, if implemented, would end a direct US-Iran military confrontation that began with strikes killing Iran's supreme leader and drew in regional proxies, disrupting global oil flows. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz could stabilise energy markets, while the 60-day negotiation window addresses nuclear ambitions and sanctions relief. Israeli rejection and continued occupation of Lebanese territory raise risks of renewed hostilities, and the viability of verification mechanisms for Iran's nuclear programme remains uncertain.

Watch For

The formal signing of the initial agreement in Switzerland on Friday; details of the 60-day extension and whether talks progress on nuclear enrichment limits, sanctions relief, and IAEA verification; Israeli military actions in Lebanon and potential clashes with Hezbollah; statements from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy regarding sanctions lifting in response to Iranian compliance steps.