German Top Diplomat Says Strait of Hormuz Must Be Navigable Without Restrictions

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks during a press conference with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban (not pictured) in Berlin, Germany, 10 June 2026. (EPA)
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks during a press conference with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban (not pictured) in Berlin, Germany, 10 June 2026. (EPA)
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German Top Diplomat Says Strait of Hormuz Must Be Navigable Without Restrictions

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks during a press conference with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban (not pictured) in Berlin, Germany, 10 June 2026. (EPA)
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks during a press conference with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban (not pictured) in Berlin, Germany, 10 June 2026. (EPA)

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz must be made navigable again ‌without any ‌restrictions after ‌US ⁠and Iranian officials said ⁠they had reached an agreement to end their war and ⁠reopen the vital ‌shipping ‌route.

"It must ‌be made clear ‌that the Strait of Hormuz is once again open ‌to shipping, without any restrictions ⁠whatsoever ⁠and without any possibility of levying customs duties or similar charges," Wadephul said before meeting with European counterparts in Luxembourg.

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.



Iran's Fars News Agency Says Hormuz Maritime Fees Added to US Deal Last Minute

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Iran's Fars News Agency Says Hormuz Maritime Fees Added to US Deal Last Minute

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Iran's Fars news agency said on Monday, quoting what it said was an informed source, that Tehran added a clause on imposing maritime service fees to the framework deal with the United States shortly before its announcement.

"In the final moments of the negotiations, the text of the memorandum of understanding was amended to clearly and explicitly emphasize the issue of the Iranian-Omani sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz," said Fars, citing the unidentified source.

"The use of the term 'maritime services' means that the United States has accepted that fees will be paid to Iran," it added.


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.