QtrendsThe US and Iran have reached a preliminary 14-point agreement to end their war, with the official text released Wednesday. The deal leaves Iran's nuclear program for future negotiations and includes demands for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen amid safety concerns from the shipping industry. Trump promotes the deal at the G7 summit in France while facing domestic skepticism, and has alternated between declaring the deal near-final and calling it 'not final.' Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue despite the agreement, fueling anger among Israelis toward Netanyahu.
The United States published the full text of its memorandum of understanding with Iran on Wednesday, detailing a 14-point agreement reached over the weekend. Senior US officials briefed journalists on the terms as the document was made public. The release marks a formal step in the diplomatic process between the two nations.
The Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen soon after the US-Iran agreement, but shipping companies remain deeply concerned about vessel safety. A shipping CEO described proposed fees for transiting the strait as 'dangerous.' The waterway is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments, making its security a top international priority.
The interim agreement between the US and Iran stops short of resolving the future of Tehran's nuclear program, which remains a matter for future negotiations. The deal is moving toward formal signing despite lingering questions about its scope and durability. Trump has sent mixed signals, at one point claiming the deal could be signed imminently while later calling it 'not final' and planning a press conference in France.
G7 leaders meeting in France have expressed support for Trump's plan to end the war with Iran, even as the deal faces skepticism back home. Trump arrived at the summit seeking momentum after announcing the preliminary agreement. The G7 discussions also covered the Ukraine war alongside the Iran situation.
Iran has stated that the preliminary deal requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, a condition that has provoked anger among Israelis. Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have continued despite the US-Iran agreement, signaling no let-up in military operations. Public frustration in Israel is mounting against Prime Minister Netanyahu over the terms of the deal.