After a few dozen false starts, it looks like the United States and Iran have finally struck a framework agreement to pause the war for another two months, stabilize global energy prices and reopen detailed negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program. President Donald Trump, in typical fashion, announced the accord on Truth Social, claiming it would put the Middle East on the road to peace. He quickly gave several interviews reiterating yet again that more U.S. military action was in the cards if Tehran didn’t satisfy its end of the bargain.
For once, the Trump administration and the Iranians are singing from the same song sheet. Both declared that a signing ceremony would take place this Friday, and while the actual text of the agreement hasn’t been published yet, both sides sketched out its general parameters.
The framework is similar to what has been reported for weeks now. The U.S. Navy would suspend its blockade of Iran’s ports in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz over the next 30 days. The Iranians insist that Washington also agreed to unfreeze billions of dollars of Tehran’s own money currently frozen in foreign bank accounts courtesy of U.S. sanctions. (The Trump administration has yet to verify those assertions.) The ceasefire originally signed on April 8 will officially be extended for another 60 days. And, to Tehran’s delight, the ceasefire will encompass the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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