A woman waves the flag of Iran during a rally in Tehran, Iran, on June 14, 2026. (AP/Yonhap)
US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he’d reached a deal with Iran and approved opening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US naval blockade.Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on social media that the US and Iran had reached a “peace deal” and that the “official signing ceremony” will take place on Friday in Switzerland.The US and Iran’s peace talks, which had been seriously undermined by Israel’s continued strikes on Lebanon, appear to have entered the concluding stage. But the Iranian government has yet to issue an official announcement.“The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media website, at 5:29 pm Sunday (ET).“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!”About 10 minutes earlier, Sharif had posted to X that “following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED.”“Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” the Pakistani prime minister said, adding that “the official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland.”Sharif said that the mediators will oversee “pre-implementation discussions” this week to prepare for “the technical talks and the official signing ceremony.” He also praised the US and Iran for their “commitment to finding a diplomatic solution” and thanked Qatar for its “support in reaching this agreement.”He also revealed that the leadership of Turkey and Saudi Arabia had contributed to a deal being reached. The announcement came in the wake of reports that the deal to end the war had been delayed on account of Israel’s strike in Beirut. “It shook it up. It delayed the signing by a few hours,” Trump told Axios in a telephone interview before the announcement, slamming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “It is so bad — I couldn't believe it. An hour before we are supposed to sign the deal,” Trump said. “Why did Bibi have to do a fucking attack? I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no fucking judgment. I let him know that.”Ahead of this phone interview, Trump had written on Truth Social that “this morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran,” appearing to ask Israel to refrain from further attacks. “This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!” he wrote. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told CBS the same day that “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when” the deal is signed, suggesting that the deal was still on track. By Kim Won-chul, Washington correspondentPlease direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
