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Pakistan announced early Thursday that Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States will immediately lift its naval blockade under a newly agreed memorandum aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been electronically signed and entered into force immediately, while an official signing ceremony is set for June 19 in Switzerland.
After the war began on Feb. 28 with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Tehran moved to restrict shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing a key waterway that normally carries one-fifth of global energy flows.
Following a ceasefire between the two sides, the first indirect negotiations in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting the U.S. to impose a blockade on Iranian ports to curb Tehran's oil exports since April 13.
"Islamabad MoU shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade," Sharif wrote on X.
Sharif also thanked Qatar and credited Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt for their roles in the mediation effort.
"May this Memorandum of Understanding serve as an enduring foundation for greater understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the complete region," he wrote.
Iran and the U.S. announced on June 14 that they had reached a 14-point framework agreement through negotiations mediated by Pakistan. The deal, known as the Islamabad Accord, calls for an end to the conflict and for remaining disputes between the two sides to be addressed through dialogue.
After the memorandum is signed, the two sides are expected to launch negotiations on issues including Iran's nuclear program and the removal of sanctions as they work toward a final agreement.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei pushed back against reports that the signing ceremony could be postponed, saying Tehran's plans for the Swiss meeting remain unchanged.
"There is no change in our program regarding the meeting in Switzerland," Baghaei said in his earlier remarks, according to Iranian state television. He noted that a proposal for the memorandum to be signed by the leaders of both countries is being reviewed.
Baghaei also warned that any continuation of Israel's military operations in Lebanon would amount to a violation of the memorandum, adding that Iran would take the necessary measures if such a situation arises.
On the maritime provisions, he indicated that the U.S. naval blockade should be removed within 30 days.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to gradually return to normal, Baghaei added, noting that Iran will coordinate with Oman on managing the strategic waterway and may consult other regional countries if needed.
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