WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed an agreement with Iran aimed at ending hostilities, easing sanctions, and restarting nuclear negotiations, marking a major diplomatic shift between the two countries.
The deal, signed on Wednesday, calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium while the United States moves to waive several sanctions, immediately allowing Iran to resume oil exports. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who helped mediate the talks, said the agreement takes “immediate effect” after both leaders signed it.
According to details released by both sides, the agreement establishes a permanent end to hostilities and opens a 60-day window for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. However, questions remain over enforcement, with Trump leaving open the possibility of renewed military action if talks collapse.
The signing took place in Paris during a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Versailles Palace, a historic venue for global agreements. A video shared online showed Trump signing the document before handing it to Secretary of State Marco Rubio as officials applauded.
In Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signed the agreement, according to state media.
Key Elements of the Deal
The interim agreement includes several major provisions:
- Immediate end to military hostilities between the two countries
- Gradual easing of U.S.-backed sanctions on Iran
- Resumption of nuclear negotiations within 60 days
- Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route
- Monitoring of Iran’s uranium reduction by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The Strait of Hormuz will initially reopen without tolls for two months, while long-term conditions remain under negotiation.
Economic and Political Impact
The deal allows Iran to resume oil exports immediately, a major concession from Washington that analysts say could significantly reshape global energy markets. Iran’s oil revenues reached more than $46 billion in 2024, with China remaining its main buyer.
The agreement also outlines the possibility of lifting broader sanctions, including those related to weapons programs and human rights concerns, depending on progress in future negotiations. It further suggests potential international investment to help rebuild Iran, though funding commitments remain unclear.
Global markets are expected to react strongly to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade.
Mixed Reactions and Uncertainty
While Trump described the deal as “very strong,” he also suggested it could be reversed if talks fail, saying the agreement serves as a “memorandum of understanding.”
The deal has sparked criticism and concern in Washington and is seen as a setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long opposed concessions to Iran.
The full text of the agreement has not yet been officially released, and conflicting versions from the U.S., Iran, and mediators continue to raise questions about its exact terms.
