US, Iran reach preliminary peace agreement while Israel remains defiant

(LifeSiteNews) — U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that negotiators have reached an initial Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the ongoing war. The framework agreement is scheduled for formal signing on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.

The breakthrough was confirmed by multiple parties. Trump posted on Truth Social: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) secretariat stated that the Memorandum of Understanding text from the Islamabad negotiations was finalized on the evening of June 14: “The war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will come to an immediate and permanent end beginning tonight. Furthermore, the naval blockade against Iran will be lifted immediately and completely,” adding that formal signing was set for June 19 and expressing appreciation to the governments of Pakistan and Qatar for their diplomatic mediation.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also announced the finalization, noting that Iran had incorporated its key positions into the draft.  He confirmed that beginning on Monday night, the U.S. naval blockade against Iran will be terminated along with “the immediate and permanent end of the war and military operations on various fronts, including Lebanon.”

The inclusion of Lebanon is important because Israeli officials have continued to oppose ending the war, particularly after their military bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday in what was widely viewed as another attempt to undermine a U.S.-Iran agreement.

Gharibabadi described the document as drafted “with active distrust,” stressing that Iran would closely monitor U.S. implementation of commitments. He credited Iranian military readiness and recent actions by Hezbollah with strengthening Iran’s negotiating position.

The official signing is expected in Geneva, after which the full text will be published and officials will brief the public on its contents.

The Memorandum of Understanding serves as an initial framework rather than a final comprehensive treaty. It prioritizes an immediate halt to hostilities and lifting of the naval blockade.

Iran has committed to measures ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Once initial U.S. steps are verified — including blockade removal and release of frozen assets — both sides will enter a 60-day negotiation period. Topics for these talks include Iran’s nuclear program, lifting of U.S. sanctions, termination of related UN and IAEA resolutions, post-war reconstruction, and implementation oversight.

In apparent reference to the U.S. and Israel record of deliberate deception against Iran in its preparation for unprovoked attacks in these last two wars, Gharibabadi also reiterated that Iran’s armed forces “will always keep their fingers on the trigger to counter any enemy conspiracy” and that Tehran remains fully prepared to respond to any similar plots.

For his part, Trump told The New York Times the deal is making the Strait of Hormuz “permanently toll-free.” He indicated that failure to reach a final nuclear accord in the follow-up talks could lead to renewed military options or U.S. involvement as a “guardian of the Middle East” in exchange for 20% revenue shares.

He also referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “a really difficult guy” who “should be thankful” to the U.S. for its war against Iran.

Israel pledges occupation of Lebanon ‘without any time limit’

While leaders from around the world enthusiastically welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding, Israeli officials remain starkly opposed to it. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the deal was “bad for Israel,” with even opposition leader Benny Gantz calling it “a strategic failure.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz defiantly pledged that Israel would not withdraw from southern Lebanon, from where they illegally ordered the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, including Christians, and went on to demolish many of their homes and villages.

“The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit,” he vowed, adding that “security zones” will be “cleared of local residents, and all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, including the houses in the contact-line villages that served as terror outposts, will be destroyed.”

“Prime Minister Netanyahu made these points clear to U.S. President Trump and to other senior American officials, and I also made this clear yesterday to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth,” he said, indicating that the IDF plans to permanently occupy southern Lebanon.

“If Iran attacks Israel because of events in Lebanon, we will strike it with full force,” Katz threatened, adding “we are committed only to our citizens and to the security of the State of Israel.”

Additionally, Israel’s Yediot Aharonot newspaper reported that Netanyahu told Trump Israel was not bound by the agreement reached between Iran and Washington and has no intention of withdrawing from Lebanon.

Citing Israeli sources, the outlet added Netanyahu further informed Trump the Israeli military would maintain its current illegal occupation inside Lebanon and would respond to any attacks launched by Hezbollah aimed at dislodging them.

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