The United States and Iran have signed an interim agreement aimed at ending months of conflict, although US President Donald Trump warned military action could resume if Tehran fails to honour its commitments.
According to the text released by both governments, the 14-point memorandum extends the ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days to allow negotiations on a permanent truce.
Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have digitally signed the agreement, with Iran’s foreign ministry confirming that the deal came into effect on Wednesday.
Despite the signing, Trump maintained a hardline stance, warning that Washington could restart attacks should Iran breach the agreement.
“We’re going to bomb the hell out of them if they violate the agreement,” Trump told reporters during the G7 summit in France.
The agreement calls for an immediate halt to hostilities across the region, including Lebanon, the reopening of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of US sanctions on Iran, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a US$300 billion economic rehabilitation plan for the country.
Iran, meanwhile, reaffirmed its longstanding position that it would not pursue nuclear weapons.
The announcement prompted a decline in oil prices amid expectations that the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy supplies, would remain open. Brent crude futures fell below US$80 a barrel, although prices later recovered more than 1% after Trump’s comments raised the prospect of renewed conflict.
A senior US official said the two sides still retain the option to walk away before a final and legally binding agreement is reached.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) welcomed the accord and reiterated the need for negotiations to address concerns surrounding Iran’s regional activities and nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, tensions persisted in Lebanon despite the truce framework. Lebanese media reported fresh Israeli air strikes in southern towns, while Israeli authorities said five soldiers were injured in two Hezbollah drone attacks.
Trump also appeared to soften his previous stance on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, saying it would be “a little bit unfair” for Iran not to possess missiles if other countries had them.
He also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a more restrained approach in Lebanon, saying Israel could use “a little softer touch” in dealing with Hezbollah.
