Iran deal confirmed with Strait of Hormuz to open

Tehran’s nuclear program will be the subject of later talks

- MUNIR AHMED, JULIA FRANKEL

The United States and Iran have reached an agreement to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, offering relief to the global economy more than three months since fighting began.

Full details of the deal were not immediately available. The signing will be on Friday in Switzerland. Donald Trump confirmed a deal had been reached and said he had authorised an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. “Congratulations to all!” he wrote on social media, without providing details. He added: “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

The US previously said it would ease its blockade of Iranian ports as the strait reopens, and would agree to relax sanctions to allow Iran to sell more of its oil and strengthen its battered economy.

Iranian state TV showed a banner asserting: “US was forced to sign an agreement to end the war.” But Iran’s government had yet to comment.

Iranian state media reported key mediator Pakistan’s announcement of the deal, after a day in which Israel, sidelined from the negotiations, attacked Beirut’s southern suburbs while pursuing the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and posed a threat to the discussions nearing an end.