Trump and Iran Sign Framework Agreement to End War and Lift Sanctions
US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Massud Pezeshkian have signed a framework agreement to end the Iran war, according to a US government official speaking to AFP. The deal mandates the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the dilution of Iran’s high-enriched uranium stockpiles under IAEA supervision in exchange for the lifting of US oil sanctions.
How was the agreement signed?
The method of signing differs across reports. According to the US portal Axios, President Trump personally signed a copy of the agreement during a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles. However, Ismail Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, told state media that the presidents signed the document digitally.
Baghaei stated via the government-aligned Press TV that the decision to have the highest representatives sign the deal was intentional. He argued that presidential signatures make any future violations more costly. This digital signing cancels previous reports that a formal ceremony would take place at a luxury hotel near Lucerne, Switzerland.
Why did President Trump prioritize this deal?
President Trump cited the prevention of a global economic collapse as his primary motivation. Speaking to reporters in Evian-les-Bains during the G7 summit, Trump stated that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could have triggered an “economic catastrophe.”
Trump explicitly compared the risk to the presidency of Herbert Hoover, who was in office during the 1929 stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. The US president noted that stock markets surged whenever peace was mentioned and dropped sharply when negotiations seemed to fail. He also claimed that avoiding the bombing of Iranian oil pipelines prevented an “international depression.”
What are the core terms of the framework?
The published text of the framework agreement focuses on three main pillars: maritime access, nuclear proliferation, and economic sanctions.
- The Strait of Hormuz: The agreement requires the immediate opening of the strait for global oil and LNG trade.
- Nuclear Constraints: Tehran must dilute its stocks of highly enriched uranium to make the construction of nuclear weapons impossible, as demanded by Washington. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will oversee this process.
- Sanctions Relief: The US will allow Iran to resume oil sales. Further economic sanctions will be lifted once a final peace treaty is signed.
Will Iran charge fees for the Strait of Hormuz?
Despite the framework’s call to open the waterway, Iran is pushing for new financial terms. Chief negotiator Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf told Iranian state television that Iran will not return to “pre-war conditions.”
Ghalibaf asserted that Iran has sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and intends to establish “service fees” for transit in the final peace agreement. While he called the framework a success and a “testament to the failure of the USA,” this demand for transit fees creates a potential point of friction for the upcoming final negotiations.
What happens during the 60-day negotiation period?
The framework agreement is currently in effect, but it serves as a precursor to a permanent treaty. A 60-day negotiation window has been established to resolve the most difficult issues, specifically the long-term future of the Iranian nuclear program.
Economists suggest that while the intent is positive for the global economy, it could take several months for fuel supplies and trade flows to normalize. The conflict, which began in late February following US-Israeli strikes, now enters a diplomatic phase to determine if these temporary concessions can become permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the agreement take effect?
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei, the agreement is officially in effect following the digital signatures of both presidents.
Will all sanctions be lifted immediately?
No. While the US has pledged to let Iran sell oil again, the remainder of the economic sanctions will only be lifted after the final peace agreement is reached at the end of the 60-day period.
Who is monitoring the nuclear dilution?
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is tasked with supervising the dilution of Iran’s uranium stockpiles.
What do you think about the proposed transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz? Will this derail the final peace treaty? Let us know in the comments or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on Middle East diplomacy.