Versailles: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a landmark agreement with Iran aimed at ending more than three months of conflict in the Middle East, in a move that could reopen key maritime routes and ease pressure on global energy markets.
The signing took place at the Palace of Versailles during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron after the conclusion of the G7 Summit.
Announcing the development, Macron said the agreement represents a major step toward regional stability.
“President Trump signed tonight at Versailles the agreement between Iran and the United States. This agreement paves the way for lasting peace and allows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. It is an important step in the right direction for our compatriots that will soon enable a decrease in energy prices,” Macron said in a post on X.
Iran later confirmed that the document had been formally signed by both sides.
“The text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was finalized with the signatures of the presidents. Now it is time to test the implementation of the agreement,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
The formal ceremony had initially been scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, later this week. Iranian officials said the Geneva meeting will proceed as planned despite the signing in France.
The accord triggers a 60-day negotiating period during which Washington and Tehran are expected to work toward a comprehensive final settlement.
Earlier in the day, US officials released the text of the agreement during a conference call amid growing demands for greater transparency following Trump’s announcement of the deal over the weekend.
Officially titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the document calls for the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon.
Under the terms of the memorandum, the United States has agreed to lift its naval blockade of Iran within 30 days. Maritime traffic through regional waters is expected to gradually return to pre-conflict levels during that period.
The agreement also outlines a commitment by Washington to withdraw military forces from areas surrounding Iran within 30 days after a final accord is concluded.
For its part, Iran has pledged to use its best efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial shipping and facilitate vessel movement without charges for a period of 60 days.
The signing effectively brings to a close a conflict that lasted approximately 110 days, beginning on Feb. 28 when US and Israeli forces launched military strikes against Iranian targets. The war disrupted regional trade routes, heightened tensions across the Middle East and raised concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments.
Diplomats and analysts are now closely watching whether both sides can translate the memorandum into a lasting peace agreement over the coming weeks.
