US-Iran Deal Should Immediately Reopen Hormuz Strait, Von Der Leyen Says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Estonian President Alar Karis at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Estonian President Alar Karis at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
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US-Iran Deal Should Immediately Reopen Hormuz Strait, Von Der Leyen Says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Estonian President Alar Karis at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Estonian President Alar Karis at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

The agreement between the United States and Iran should allow for the "immediate reopening" of the Strait of Hormuz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.

"The ‌priority now ‌is its ‌swift ⁠and full implementation ⁠by all parties," von der Leyen said about the announced deal.

"Freedom of navigation must be restored ⁠toll-free. This is essential ‌for ‌regional stability and the ‌global economy. It opens ‌the door to broader negotiations on peace and security in the Middle East," ‌she added.

Von der Leyen also said ⁠that ⁠peace in the Middle East was impossible "while Lebanon is in flames", according to Reuters.

"Once again Europe calls on all parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity and implement a genuine ceasefire," she said.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the deal between the US and Iran marks a "potential breakthrough" in the war and the EU will ‌now weigh ‌how it ‌can ⁠be involved in ⁠the next phase.

"From economic ‌leverage ‌to nuclear expertise ‌and longstanding relationships ‌with Gulf partners, the EU stands ready to contribute ‌to a sustainable resolution," Kallas said ⁠in a ⁠post on X, before a meeting of foreign affairs ministers from the 27 EU member states in Brussels.  

European Union chief Antonio Costa welcomed the deal, adding that the bloc was ready to contribute to a strategy for "lasting peace". 

"I look forward to an end to this costly war and to the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," Costa, the European Council President, wrote on X. 

US and Iranian officials said they had reached an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Tehran's nuclear program to further negotiations. 

While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough towards resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended energy markets since it began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.  

"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform at around 5:30 p.m. in Washington (2130 GMT) on Sunday.  

His post came shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has served as a mediator, announced a deal had been struck early on Monday local time. 

The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland. 

The precise terms were not immediately known. Sharif said in a post on X that the pact called for "the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." 

Lebanon has been a sticking point in negotiations, with Israel and Hezbollah ignoring calls from Trump and others to stop their attacks on each other in recent weeks. 



UN Human Rights Chief Welcomes US-Iran Deal, Urges Restraint in the Region

An Iranian woman walks past an anti-Israeli mural, after US and Iranian officials said they had reached a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
An Iranian woman walks past an anti-Israeli mural, after US and Iranian officials said they had reached a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
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UN Human Rights Chief Welcomes US-Iran Deal, Urges Restraint in the Region

An Iranian woman walks past an anti-Israeli mural, after US and Iranian officials said they had reached a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
An Iranian woman walks past an anti-Israeli mural, after US and Iranian officials said they had reached a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

The United Nations' human rights chief on Monday welcomed the announcement of a peace deal between the United States and Iran, and urged for maximum restraint by all sides in the region.

"I welcome the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed on a peace deal ‌that provides ‌for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, ‌the ⁠reopening of the ⁠Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further negotiations," said human rights chief Volker Turk.

"At this fragile moment it is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached quickly ⁠and in good faith," he ‌added.

His comments come ‌as US and Iranian officials said they had reached ‌an agreement to end their war ‌and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Tehran's nuclear program to further negotiations.

While ‌still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough towards resolving the ⁠conflict ⁠that has killed thousands and upended energy markets since it began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

The UN rights chief also voiced alarm over Israeli strikes on populated areas and infrastructure in Lebanon, as well as cross-border attacks by Hezbollah.

He called for an immediate end to hostilities, Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory and investigations into alleged violations of international law by all parties.


China Says Welcomes US-Iran Deal, Commends Pakistan Mediation

People walk on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
People walk on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
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China Says Welcomes US-Iran Deal, Commends Pakistan Mediation

People walk on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
People walk on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

China welcomed on Monday an agreement announced by the United States and Iran to end the Middle East war, commending Pakistan for its mediation efforts.

"China welcomes the agreement reached between the United States and Iran... and expresses appreciation for the mediation efforts made by Pakistan," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a news briefing, adding that Beijing hopes the deal would be signed as scheduled.

US and Iranian officials said they had reached an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Tehran's nuclear program to further negotiations.

While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough towards resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended energy markets since it began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has served as a mediator, announced a deal had been struck early on Monday local time.

The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.

The precise terms were not immediately known. Sharif said in a post on X that the pact called for "the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon."

Lebanon has been a sticking point in negotiations, with Israel and Hezbollah ignoring calls from Trump and others to stop their attacks on each other in recent weeks.

Israel’s defense minister said Monday that Israel won’t withdraw from land occupied in Lebanon as the interim deal between Iran and the United States is pending.

Katz said Israel plans to stay “indefinitely” in lands it holds in Lebanon, as well as Syria and the Gaza Strip.


Israel Concerned about US-Iran Deal but Does Not Want to Anger Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the Knesset on June 3. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the Knesset on June 3. (Reuters)
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Israel Concerned about US-Iran Deal but Does Not Want to Anger Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the Knesset on June 3. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the Knesset on June 3. (Reuters)

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to praise the US-Iran deal and to choose words that appease US President Donald Trump, Israeli military and political officials expressed deep concern over the emerging agreement, likely to be officially signed next Friday.

Israeli officials fear the deal may fail to eliminate the threats posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and could also restrict Israel's freedom of action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Officials said Israel cannot return to the reality before the October 7, 2023, attack, when it says its hands were tied while threats built up along its borders.

Current Israeli government officials have said little about the Trump-Iran understanding, apparently for fear of upsetting the US leader. Instead, the Israeli military leaked statements on behalf of a “senior military source” expressing concern about the cessation of operations in Lebanon.

Israeli officials said the text of the agreement remains “an enigma,” not explicitly speaking about the dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program, the obliteration of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capacity, and Iran’s ability to connect itself to its proxies. They listed Israel’s five main problems with the proposal:

First, there are no clear answers regarding the treatment of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, and not enough curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.

Second, the text of the deal does not clearly mention Iran’s intention to stop the production of ballistic missiles.

Third, the key unresolved question is how much funds Iran will receive. A compromise has been reached: Iran will not receive cash, but will be able to purchase medicine and food using frozen funds. The Americans insist that frozen assets will not be released before the uranium stockpiles are addressed, but that issue will be negotiated later.

Fourth, the deal lays out no clear mechanism for forcing Iran to halt its support for its proxy forces, including Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.

Fifth, Israel had not been a party to the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran and is being left out of the potential peace.

Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a senior Israeli official saying on Saturday evening that the agreement expected to be signed between the United States and Iran is “not a good deal,” warning that Israel has little ability to influence the process despite the direct impact it could have on its security.

The official said the deal would be followed by negotiations expected to last 60 days. The resources Iran would receive during the roughly two months of negotiations and afterward could, at least in theory, allow the regime to rebuild its nuclear project and its ballistic missile program.

The newspaper said the American president is acting according to his own political and US interests.

“The frequent calls between Netanyahu and Trump appear to have only marginal influence. Israel is not only failing to shape the talks, it also does not really know what is happening inside them,” it wrote.

Trump and Netanyahu spoke by phone about the emerging deal with Iran, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

In a statement that intended to downplay the significance of the potential agreement, Netanyahu’s office said the two spoke about “the emerging memorandum of understanding with Iran regarding entry into negotiations.”

In the conversation, Netanyahu expressed a rather optimistic take on an agreement, according to his office.

“Although Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding,” his office said, “the prime minister expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s commitment that the final agreement reached at the conclusion of the negotiations will include the removal of enriched material, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limitations on missile production, and the cessation of Iran’s support for its terrorist proxies in the region.”