U.S. President Signals Strait of Hormuz Could Reopen “Immediately” Following Peace Agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could reopen “immediately” once a peace agreement is signed, marking what could be a major turning point in the ongoing Middle East conflict. The statement came as both the United States and mediators signaled that a preliminary deal to end the war may be imminent, although uncertainty remains regarding the exact timing.
On Saturday, both Washington and Islamabad suggested that an initial agreement could be signed as early as Sunday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that the two sides had reached a framework for peace and that preparations were underway for an electronic signing ceremony. He added that technical-level negotiations would follow in the coming week to finalize the details.
However, Iran quickly pushed back on the timeline. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei urged caution, stating: “We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow.”
While he acknowledged that an agreement in the near future remained possible, he emphasized that “due to the hesitation of the other side, we must be cautious in making any comments about this process.”
Despite the uncertainty, President Trump expressed confidence, posting on social media that the deal with Iran was expected to be signed soon and that the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes—would be reopened and “open to all” immediately afterward. A U.S. official later reinforced that optimism, describing the agreement as “a great deal and a very strong deal,” though declining to confirm the exact timing.
This is not the first time both sides have appeared close to a breakthrough since the conflict began on February 28, following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The escalation triggered a chain reaction across the region: Iran retaliated with attacks on U.S. military targets in the Gulf, while Hezbollah forces in Lebanon launched strikes against Israel, reigniting hostilities between Israel and the Iran-aligned group.
The war has had devastating consequences, with thousands of casualties reported—primarily in Iran and Lebanon—and a significant spike in global energy prices due to disruptions in oil supply routes.
In a major development early in the conflict, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on the first day of hostilities. He was subsequently replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei. According to state media, funeral proceedings for Khamenei will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in the holy city of Mashhad on July 9.
What the Proposed Deal Includes
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that while adjustments to the agreement remain possible, the current framework suggests Iran has emerged from the conflict in a stronger position. “Iran is the winner of the war with the U.S.,” he stated on national television.
Shortly after his remarks, U.S. forces intercepted and shot down several Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz. According to a source familiar with the situation, the drones posed a direct threat to commercial shipping. U.S. Central Command later confirmed the incident and stated that the waterway remained open at that time.
Sources involved in the negotiations revealed that the proposed memorandum of understanding includes provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports. In return, the United States is expected to release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and ease sanctions on Iran’s oil exports.
Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program—one of the primary justifications cited by President Trump for initiating the conflict—would take place during a subsequent 60-day diplomatic window. According to a U.S. official, the agreement would ultimately aim for the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, including the destruction and removal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Iran, however, appears to resist that condition. Araghchi stated that Tehran seeks to retain its uranium in a diluted form, signaling a potential point of contention in future talks.
Additional elements under discussion reportedly include the possibility of war reparations for Iran and the removal of longstanding U.S. demands to limit Iran’s missile program. U.S. officials have disputed these claims, suggesting that not all reported provisions reflect the final terms under negotiation.
Israel’s Position
Notably, Israel is not a party to the proposed memorandum. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that his government would not be bound by the agreement. His administration has clashed with Washington over U.S. efforts to scale back Israeli military operations in Lebanon in order to facilitate a broader regional deal.
Araghchi suggested that the agreement could lead to an end to the conflict in Lebanon, implying a potential Israeli withdrawal from contested areas. However, Israel’s defense minister rejected that possibility outright, and a senior Israeli official stated that Israel intends to retain full freedom of action to respond to any perceived threats.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains fluid. While leaders on multiple sides express cautious optimism, significant differences persist—leaving the timeline and ultimate success of the agreement uncertain.
