Gunfire Stops After 106 Days... U.S. and Iran Reach End-of-War Agreement [U.S.-Iran End of War]

The United States and Iran agreed on the 14th local time to sign a memorandum of understanding on ending the war, bringing the Middle East war that began in late February to a close after 106 days. The two sides are scheduled to formally sign the MOU in Switzerland on the 19th. Once the document is signed, follow-up measures such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the naval blockade on Iran will take effect immediately.
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that "the deal with Iran is done." Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, also confirmed in a state TV interview that "a permanent and immediate end to hostilities has been declared on all fronts, including Lebanon." Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has mediated the talks, likewise said that "an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts has been declared."
As a result, the war that began when the United States and the State of Israel launched a surprise strike on Iran on Feb. 28 entered its final phase on this day. The two sides have been negotiating an end to the war for more than two months after agreeing to a ceasefire on April 8.
Trump had said the signing would take place on his birthday, but the ceremony was pushed back by five days as coordination took longer than expected. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that "the president may also attend the signing ceremony in person."
The agreement will also reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments pass. Trump said, "I approve the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz," adding that "the U.S. Navy's blockade on Iran will also be lifted immediately." Iran's Supreme National Security Council said that "the (U.S.) naval blockade on Iran will be lifted immediately and completely." Tankers and cargo ships that had been stranded near the strait are expected to resume normal operations gradually.
The MOU is largely a starting point for the final peace talks. Over the next 60 days, the two countries will hold follow-up negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, the handling of enriched uranium, and sanctions relief. Key issues, including the level of nuclear freeze and the scope of sanctions relief, remain unresolved. In particular, Israel's response is seen as the biggest variable in future talks, as it has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the publicly disclosed terms. As reconstruction efforts in Iran are expected to begin in earnest, the United States is also expected to press its Gulf allies to contribute their share, including by pushing for the creation of a 450 trillion won Iran Reconstruction Fund.
The United States has proposed offering phased sanctions relief and the release of frozen overseas assets in exchange for Iran permanently abandoning nuclear weapons and agreeing to dismantle its nuclear program and dispose of nuclear materials. Iran, however, continues to insist on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, so the actual terms of the agreement are expected to be confirmed through the full text of the MOU, which will be released after the signing.
km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter