By Ayo Kehinde
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday described the newly signed peace agreement between the Islamic Republic and the United States as a “historic document,” declaring that the accord signals a new chapter in diplomacy and proves that peace can only be achieved through mutual respect, as both nations formally agreed to halt hostilities after months of war that destabilised the Middle East and rattled global energy markets.
Pezeshkian made the declaration in a social media post shortly after formally endorsing the agreement in Tehran, where he displayed the signed memorandum bearing his signature alongside those of US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a central mediating role in brokering the diplomatic breakthrough.
“This is a historic document and a message from a powerful Iran: peace will be achieved in the shadow of mutual respect,” the Iranian leader stated, framing the agreement as both a diplomatic victory for Tehran and a path toward regional stability after weeks of escalating military confrontation.
The agreement, described as an interim peace framework, formally ends direct hostilities between Washington and Tehran and immediately initiates a 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement over Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, one of the major flashpoints that triggered the conflict.
President Trump signed the physical agreement on Wednesday at the historic Palace of Versailles in France while attending a high-level dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron following the Group of Seven summit.
Video footage released by White House officials showed Trump seated beside Macron as he signed the document before handing it to Secretary of State Marco Rubio amid applause from officials gathered at the venue.
“It’s signed. This was not easy,” Trump said while leaving the Versailles dinner.
Under the terms of the agreement, Iran has committed to diluting its stockpile of highly enriched uranium under international supervision, while the United States has agreed to immediately waive key sanctions against Tehran, allowing Iran to freely resume oil exports in one of Washington’s biggest concessions since tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions first escalated years ago.
The accord also orders the immediate reopening of the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime route through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas supply passes.
Closure of the Strait during the conflict triggered one of the worst global energy disruptions in recent years, causing international oil prices to surge sharply and pushing inflation higher across multiple economies
Prime Minister Sharif, who formally signed the agreement on Thursday as mediator, announced that the deal, now referred to as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, takes immediate effect.
“The signing of this agreement at the highest level of the respective governments demonstrates the commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict,” Sharif said in a statement released on X
Implementation talks are now expected to begin on Friday at Switzerland’s Buergenstock resort, where negotiators from the United States, Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar are expected to begin discussions on executing the agreement and negotiating a final settlement.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed preparations for the talks but said details surrounding scheduling remain fluid after conflicting signals emerged from Washington and Tehran regarding a planned formal signing ceremony.
Beyond ending military confrontation, the agreement offers Iran substantial economic concessions.
Washington has agreed to suspend sanctions preventing Tehran from selling oil on global markets while broader sanctions tied to Iran’s weapons programmes and human rights violations may eventually be lifted depending on progress during negotiations.
Pakistani officials involved in the negotiations said the broader framework could ultimately unlock more than $300 billion in reconstruction funding for Iran, although US Vice President JD Vance suggested Gulf nations may bear much of that financial burden.
The deal is already triggering intense backlash in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed diplomatic concessions to Tehran and previously supported military efforts aimed at permanently crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
One of the most controversial provisions of the agreement concerns Lebanon, where the accord affirms support for Lebanese territorial integrity amid continuing tensions involving Hezbollah and Israeli military operations in the country.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday moved quickly to reassure neighbouring Gulf states, holding discussions with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to address regional tensions and improve diplomatic relations.
Araghchi said he hoped the peace agreement would help restore long-term peace and stability across the Middle East.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, Washington has warned that military action remains an option if Tehran fails to honour its commitments
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Thursday that the United States would swiftly resume military operations and reimpose a naval blockade should Iran violate the agreement.
“The president has pointed out that we will be prepared to recommence if Iran does not do what it says it is going to do. If Iran doesn’t comply, then we are more than able to reimpose an ironclad blockade,” Hegseth told reporters after a NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels.
