U.S. and Iran Announce Memorandum of Understanding to End Hostilities and Reopen Strait of Hormuz

MIDDLE EAST — On June 15 the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran announced they had reached a memorandum of understanding on the cessation of hostilities and other matters.

The agreement provides for the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and the lifting of the United States naval blockade.

The Strait of Hormuz is to reopen to toll-free navigation for commercial shipping. The official signing ceremony is scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland.

The framework extends the existing ceasefire to allow time for further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.

Mediators including the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of Türkiye contributed to the text.

Iranian statements have referred to the document as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The announcement followed months of conflict during which the strait had been effectively closed, disrupting global oil supplies.

On June 14, Israeli strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned those strikes, stating they took place despite the ceasefire and at a time when the US and Iran were expected to reach an agreement.

Deal terms and party authorizations

Donald J. Trump stated that the deal is now complete and authorized the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz together with the immediate removal of the United States naval blockade. He directed ships worldwide to resume transits and allow oil to flow.

The Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran stated that military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will end immediately and permanently, and that the naval blockade will be lifted completely.

It set the signing for June 19 and credited mediation by Pakistan and Qatar. Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that the text had been finalized and that some revisions Tehran requested were accepted after escalation in Lebanon.

Developments in Lebanon

In a separate incident on June 14, Israeli forces conducted strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the strikes took place despite the ceasefire and at a time when the US and Iran were expected to reach an agreement that will pave the way to a peaceful resolution of this conflict. He urged all parties to show maximum restraint at this crucial moment.

Maritime security context post-announcement

As of June 11, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and Joint Maritime Information Center updated the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz to SEVERE.

Updates noted continued navigation interference and blockade risks, with commercial vessels routing south of the TSS via Omani territorial waters.

Coordinated passage models have emerged as a shift from physical escort, though the environment remains highly sensitive to miscalculation.

Official Statements

• U.S. President Donald J. Trump, June 15, 2026: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! 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!”

• U.S. President Donald J. Trump, June 15, 2026: “This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region. Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me. The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace. With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region, and the World!”

• Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, June 15, 2026: “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 official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland. We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in this mediation effort, the great leadership of State of Qatar, for their support in reaching this agreement. I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Türkiye for their immense contributions in this regard. With the agreement now in place, mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony.”

• Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, June 15, 2026: “I warmly welcome today’s agreement reached between the United States and Iran. This is a hugely important step forward in ending the war, ensuring regional stability and re-opening the Strait of Hormuz. I congratulate President Trump and the mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and elsewhere who have contributed to this breakthrough. We have long urged de-escalation and this is the progress we had hoped to see. Attention must now turn to fully implementing the memorandum of understanding to ensure the Strait reopens and remains fully and permanently open, and that the detailed elements of the nuclear agreement are finalised. We stand ready to support the technical talks that will now begin. Our priority is that this becomes a durable and lasting peace, and we will work with international partners to support that. We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz, to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt for several months, on families here in the UK and around the world. We will continue to work with partners to support this, including, if required, through standing up the defensive, independent multilateral mission which the UK and France have taken a leading role in planning up to this point, particularly to offer support on mine clearance in an agreed way. For any peace to endure, it is essential that the commitments made, particularly in relation to Iran’s nuclear program, are strong, verifiable and fully implemented. It remains the UK’s firm and longstanding position that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.”

• António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, June 15, 2026: “I warmly congratulate the US & Iran for having reached a peace deal that provides for an immediate & permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a framework for further negotiations. This represents a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict. My deep appreciation goes to Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and other regional countries, for the constructive role played in supporting the negotiations that led to the peace deal.”

• United Nations, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, June 14, 2026: “The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed on a peace deal that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a framework for further negotiations. This represents a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict. The Secretary-General expresses deep appreciation for the constructive role played by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and other regional countries in supporting the negotiations that led to the peace deal.”

• António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, June 14, 2026: “I strongly condemn today’s Israeli strikes on Beirut. The strikes took place despite the ceasefire & at a time when the US & Iran are expected to reach an agreement that will pave the way to a peaceful resolution of this conflict. This conflict is having a severe impact on the world’s economy. I urge all parties to show maximum restraint at this crucial moment & I strongly hope for a successful outcome of the ongoing efforts by the US & Iran.”

• Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, June 14, 2026: “I sincerely hope that this news, which the entire world has long needed, will pave the way for the establishment of a lasting environment of peace and security in our region.” He added that an environment of peace has long been needed and said Ankara is willing to continue supporting efforts in that direction.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, June 15, 2026: “On June 15, the United States and Iran announced that they agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the cessation of hostilities and other matters. Japan welcomes the agreement of this MoU as a big step towards the resolution of the situation. This is a result of tenacious negotiation by the parties to the conflict, aspiring a diplomatic resolution. We also highly appreciate the efforts of relevant countries who played a role in mediation. Japan has been making proactive diplomatic efforts based on its consistent position that what matters most is that de-escalation of the situation is steadily achieved as soon as possible. Japan has also been strongly requesting Iran to ensure as soon as possible the free and safe navigation of vessels of all countries, including Japan and other Asian countries, through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global logistics and an international public good. Hereafter, Japan strongly hopes that through the steady implementation of this MoU, free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will actually be ensured, and that a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear issue and other matters will be achieved as soon as possible. Japan, in close coordination with the international community, will continue to make every diplomatic effort toward the realization of peace and stability throughout the Middle East region.”

• Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, June 15, 2026: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. To the honorable nation of Iran, it is hereby announced: The Islamic Republic of Iran, under the leadership of its martyred leader, has completed its superiority over the Zionist American enemy and, under the guidance of the Supreme Leader of the system (may God protect him), with the support of all the people and the diligent efforts of the warriors of Islam, after a difficult and intensive several-month negotiation period, and based on the resolution of the Supreme National Security Council, has finalized the text of the memorandum of understanding regarding the end-of-war negotiations (Islamabad negotiations) between Iran and the United States on the evening of June 14. According to the agreements reached, the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will end immediately and permanently from tonight, and also, the naval blockade against Iran will be immediately and completely lifted. The signing of this memorandum of understanding will be officially carried out on Friday, June 19. Negotiations for the final agreement will be postponed until after the other party fulfills its commitments according to the memorandum of understanding. The Islamic Republic of Iran appreciates the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the government of Qatar.”

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, June 15, 2026: “The State of Qatar welcomes the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran on addressing the outstanding issues between them, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and considers it an important step towards consolidating sustainable peace and promoting economic growth regionally and internationally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Qatar’s appreciation for the determination of both the American and Iranian sides and their commitment to moving forward in resolving differences through negotiations and peaceful means. In this context, it commends the partnership and efforts undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as well as all regional and international parties, to de-escalate tensions and bring viewpoints closer together, culminating in the agreement on this Memorandum. The Ministry reaffirms the State of Qatar’s full support for all efforts and initiatives aimed at enhancing regional security and stability and reaching sustainable solutions to outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means, in accordance with the principles of international law and good-neighbourliness, in a manner that contributes to opening new horizons for cooperation, development, and prosperity, and serves the common interests of the peoples of the region and the world.”