Iran war: Pakistan announces US-Iran peace deal reached

The leaders of Germany, the UK, France, and Italy welcomed the breakthrough in peace talks between the US and Iran on Sunday night.

In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the agreement was "a hugely important step forward in ending the war."

He emphasized that the focus should now turn to ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open to alleviate the economic impact, "and that the detailed elements of the nuclear agreement are finalized."

Starmer added that the four countries are "prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program."

Qatar, who helped mediate the deal, also "welcomed" the announcement.

"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," said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is both the country's prime minister and its foreign minister, in a statement posted on X.

Statements carried by Iranian state media confirmed an initial deal with the United States to end the conflict.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the agreement would end military operations in Iran and Lebanon, as well as opening the blockade in critical shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

"A permanent and immediate end to the war has been declared on all fronts, including Lebanon," Gharibabadi said in comments aired by Iranian state television.

US President Donald Trump said that a peace agreement with Iran was "complete." 

"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Trump said he "fully authorized the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz," and would also immediately remove a US naval blockade that has been in place in the crucial shipping corridor.

"Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" Trump said.

The US president commented shortly after Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, announced that a deal had been struck between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz ​Sharif announced that the United States and ​Iran have ​reached a peace agreement.

"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," Sharif posted on X.

He said both sides have declared and "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon."

Sharif said there would be a signing cermony of the agreement on Friday June 19 in Switzerland.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has strongly criticized Israel's strikes in Lebanon at a key moment in efforts to reach a peace agreement between the US and Iran.

"I strongly condemn today's Israeli strikes on Beirut," Guterres said in a post on X.

"The strikes took place despite the ceasefire & at a time when the US & Iran are expected to reach an agreement that will pave the way to a peaceful resolution of this conflict," the UN chief said.

Guterres urged all parties to exercise "maximum restraint at this crucial moment" and said he was hoping for a "successful outcome.

A top Iranian commander says forces have their "finger on the trigger" and have warned Israel that they will attack in the event of a "mistake."

"We are waiting for the smallest mistake by the aggressive enemy to teach them an unforgettable and final lesson," state news quoted Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, as saying.

The warning comes after Israel launched strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut, the attacks coming amid a sensitive phase in peace negotiations between the US and Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country's top security body was backing the "path to dialogue."

"The Supreme National Security Council has concluded that the path of dialogue should be pursued," Pezeshkian said during a discussion with media executives, according to the presidency's website.

Pezeshkian said that the council was responsible for "decisions regarding war and negotiations."

US President Donald Trump called on Israel to stop carrying out strikes in Lebanon.

"We are very close to a deal that would bring peace to the region, including in Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

"There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel," the US president added.

According to Trump, the current negotiations could lead to a "long and beautiful peace," calling on all sides not to "blow it."

A senior Iranian military official said the Israeli strikes on Beirut will not go "unanswered," local media reported.

"Without a doubt, these crimes will not go unanswered," Brigadier General Mohammad Jafar Asadi, deputy commander of Iran's highest military command, told Defa Press news agency.

Iran previously promised that any Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital would result in a response by Tehran, and such an attack led Tehran to several ballistic missiles in Israel's direction earlier this week, with Israel carrying out strikes in Iran in response.

Iran's top negotiator with the US criticized Washington after Israel's strike in Beirut, saying it provides proof that the US "either lacks the will to implement its commitment or lacks the ability to do so."

"If you can't fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is impossible," Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on his X account.

Lebanese authorities said three people were killed after the Israeli airstrike on the Dahia neighborhood in Beirut, an area known to be a stronghold of Iran-backed Islamist militia Hezbollah.

Israel's military carried out strikes targeting "Hezbollah infrastructure" in a Beirut suburb known as a stronghold of the militant group, Dahiyeh.

This comes after several drones exploded in northern Israel, close to the border with Lebanon, with the Lebanon-based Islamist militia Hezbollah likely behind the launches.

Iran has previously promised to respond to every strike on Beirut with an attack on Israel, and it remains to be seen how Tehran will respond to the attack amid reports of an imminent deal with the US.  

Israel's military issued an evacuation warning for residents of 16 villages in southern Lebanon, while three drones struck a region in northern Israel that's close to the Lebanon border.

No injuries were reported from the drone strikes.

This comes as escalation between Israel and Lebanon-based Islamist militia Hezbollah continues, despite ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran—Hezbollah's backer—and reports of an imminent initial deal.

While Israel has maintained a military operation in southern Lebanon, Iranian officials have repeatedly said they want any ceasefire to also apply there.

Far-right politicians in Israel's government have also been pushing for a stronger response to Hezbollah's drone launches, including strikes on Beirut.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on Israel to halt the attacks and seek peace with Lebanon, while Israel claims Hezbollah is a hurdle to any such deal due to Iran's influence.

Iran has not made a final decision on the agreement with the US that would temporarily settle the war between the two countries, Iranian news agency FARS reported, citing "a well-informed source close to the Iranian negotiating team."

Iranian hardline figures are known to be opposed to the agreement, arguing that it would deprive Tehran of leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. 

Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that both sides were close to a deal but there appears to be an explicit confirmation from both sides this time that there was some agreement reached over the text of the interim deal.

A Qatari delegation is in Tehran for talks regarding the agreement to end the war between the US and Iran, Iranian media and Reuters reported, citing sources.

According to Iranian news agency ISNA, the delegation includes an adviser to Qatar's foreign minister.

While US and Pakistani leaders have spoken about a potential signing of a framework agreement today, hardliners in Iran have shown opposition, leading Tehran to cast doubt on the timing.

At the center of the US-Iran negotiations is Tehran's nuclear program, in particular the handling of what is believed to be around 400 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to about 60%.

If further enriched, this material could theoretically be sufficient to produce several nuclear weapons — something the United States is seeking to prevent.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said that "Iran's right to enrich uranium and the retention of enriched material... will be emphasised with a view to their inclusion in the final agreement."

While the US has reportedly proposed a long-term moratorium of up to 20 years, Tehran has so far rejected this approach. Instead, talks have centered on a much shorter pause of around five years.

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