US, Pakistan announce peace deal with Iran is ‘complete’

US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Sunday that a landmark agreement has been reached with Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!” Trump posted on social media without providing any details of the agreement.

“I hereby fully authorise the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade.”

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he wrote.

Sharif, who has played a central role in diplomatic mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, confirmed that both nations had reached a comprehensive peace agreement, although how comprehensive that is remains to be seen. According to Sharif, the accord mandates an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”.

“The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland,” he wrote on social media. “Mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony.”

While the Iranian government has yet to issue an official diplomatic statement, Iranian state television claimed that the country had “forced” the United States to accept the terms of the peace deal.