US, Iran Reach Preliminary Deal to End Conflict and Reopen Strait of Hormuz

June 15, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement to end months of conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a breakthrough that eased concerns over global energy supplies and sent oil prices lower, while leaving key questions over Tehran’s nuclear programme for future negotiations.

The framework agreement, announced by officials from both countries, marks the most significant diplomatic progress since the conflict erupted following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. The war has killed thousands of people and disrupted energy markets by restricting traffic through one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

US President Donald Trump declared the agreement complete in a post on Truth Social on Sunday evening in Washington, shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a deal had been reached. Pakistan has played a mediating role in the negotiations.

The memorandum of understanding is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday.

According to Sharif, the agreement provides for the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and Hezbollah had become a major obstacle during negotiations.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council said military operations would cease permanently beginning Monday night, including activities linked to the conflict in Lebanon.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said negotiators would use a 60-day ceasefire period to pursue a broader agreement covering sanctions relief and other unresolved issues.

The future of Iran’s nuclear programme, one of the most contentious aspects of the dispute, has been deferred to those subsequent negotiations, according to sources previously cited by Reuters.

Israel, which has maintained that it was not a participant in the US-Iran talks, did not immediately comment on the announcement.

A central component of the agreement concerns the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of global oil and gas shipments passes. Trump said the waterway would reopen on Friday and announced that he had ordered an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports.

The reopening of the strategic maritime corridor is expected to ease pressure on energy markets that have been affected by months of disruption and uncertainty surrounding Middle Eastern supply routes.