US and Iran Reach Preliminary Peace Agreement as Trump Announces Strait of Hormuz Reopening

The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement aimed at ending months of conflict, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will be reopened under the terms of the proposed deal.

The breakthrough follows intensive diplomatic efforts involving regional mediators and marks the most significant step toward de-escalation since hostilities erupted earlier this year. According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the agreement includes an immediate cessation of military operations and the reopening of key maritime routes that are critical to global energy supplies.

Trump described the accord as a major achievement, stating that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would allow commercial shipping and energy exports to resume normal operations. The waterway, through which a substantial share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has been a focal point of tensions throughout the conflict.

The agreement is expected to be formally signed later this week in Switzerland. Negotiators from both countries are expected to use a proposed 60-day ceasefire period to address unresolved issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and broader regional security concerns.

Global financial markets responded positively to news of the breakthrough. Oil prices fell sharply amid expectations that energy supplies will stabilize once shipping resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, while stock markets in several regions recorded gains.

Despite the progress, significant challenges remain. Details of the final agreement have not been fully disclosed, and several contentious issues are still subject to further negotiations. International leaders have welcomed the development but emphasized the importance of ensuring that any long-term settlement addresses nuclear concerns and regional security risks.

The proposed accord represents a potentially historic turning point in relations between Washington and Tehran and could help reduce tensions across the Middle East if successfully implemented. However, analysts caution that the durability of the agreement will depend on both sides fulfilling their commitments during the upcoming negotiation period.

Source BBC NEWS