Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz. BEIRUT/LONDON, June 18 (Agencies): US President Donald Trump and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding to extend a ceasefire in the US-Iran war.
Pakistan, which has been mediating the peace process, said the "Islamabad MoU" had gone into effect as of Wednesday.
US officials said the agreement includes Iran reaffirming a commitment to not develop a nuclear weapon, an end to the war on all fronts and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying 6 million barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end the war that has disrupted global energy supplies.
But in Lebanon, where more than a million people are displaced by the fighting, Israeli forces launched fresh airstrikes on Thursday morning, raising doubt about how far Trump will go to force his wartime allies to halt an offensive he has now pledged to end.
Iran: The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, addressed Iranian media following the signing, stating that Iran will monitor the US's compliance "without any leniency" and will not "fulfil" its commitments if Washington "evades its obligations".
He also said that Iran's nuclear programme and the lifting of US sanctions would be discussed during the 60-day period, but that Tehran's missile programme would be off the table in negotiations.
United States: Video footage of the moment US President Donald Trump physically signed the interim deal at the Versailles Palace showed him pausing before putting pen to paper.
"This was not easy," Trump told his audience, holding out his hands. "I can tell you that," he added as he signed the first page.
Pakistan: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that he was honoured to announce that the historic "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" had been electronically signed by the US and Iran.
Switzerland: In a statement to Al Jazeera, Switzerland's foreign ministry said the signing "is an important step toward de-escalation in the region".
The ministry added that the US and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar, and other involved countries, would meet in Burgenstock on Friday for initial negotiations on the implementation of the agreement.
IAEA: The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) welcomed the interim agreement and said the UN nuclear watchdog would work out a clear plan regarding Iran's nuclear programme.
France: French President Emmanuel Macron published a video of Trump signing the MoU at the Palace of Versailles near Paris.
"President Trump signed tonight at Versailles the agreement between Iran and the United States," he wrote on X late Wednesday.
Hezbollah: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem hailed the agreement as a "big victory" and said Lebanon's negotiations with Israel should solely focus on "mutual security", with "domestic issues" such as its disarmament kept off the table.
China: The foreign ministry said China welcomed the signing of the interim US-Iran agreement, and hopes both countries will approach their upcoming negotiations "rationally and pragmatically".
Speaking at a press briefing, spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing also hopes both parties will meet their commitments under the deal.
Russia: Russia's foreign ministry said it welcomed the ceasefire agreement.
Japan: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said it was vital that "free and safe navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz be promptly restored through the |steady implementation of the memorandum by all parties".
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