LIVE – Middle East: US and Iran reach agreement to end war

US President Donald Trump is flying to Evian, France, for the G7 summit which opens this Monday. He will meet face-to-face with Emmanuel Macron. His arrival promises to be triumphant, after the announcement of a memorandum of understanding with Iran, which the tenant of the White House had tirelessly promised for weeks. The end of the conflict will be on the menu of discussions. Details from LCI’s special correspondent on site, Léonard Attal.

In the wake of the announcement of a memorandum of understanding, the price of a barrel of oil fell. “We will have eased this energy shock”, and energy prices could “fairly quickly” return to “relatively normal levels”, explains TF1-LCI economic columnist Nicolas Doze. But the agreement still needs to be properly implemented, the Strait of Hormuz reopened and traffic restarted. Gas and oil stocks should also take “several weeks or even a few months”.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he hoped the agreement between Iran and the United States would “put a definitive end” to the war with Israel and usher in an era of stability in his country. In a press release from his services, the head of state indicated that the Lebanese aspire for “these agreements to translate into concrete measures putting a definitive end to the cycle of violence and paving the way for a phase of stability, security, recovery and reconstruction”.

The leader also welcomed “the recognition that the stability and security of Lebanon are an integral part of any serious effort aimed at consolidating stability in the region, after the sacrifices and heavy hardships endured by the Lebanese during the period elapsed”. After this announcement of agreement, of which Lebanon has not been officially notified, Beirut awaits “the start of a broader process which will strengthen stability in the region, (…) and allow the Lebanese to devote themselves to the reconstruction of what was destroyed and to return to normal life within a Safe and stable condition.

The United States and Iran announced that they had reached a memorandum of understanding, ending hostilities on all fronts. It should in theory allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Washington, an announcement which has already lowered the price of crude oil. If this crossing point is reopened, the reductions in prices at the pump must be “as rapid as the increases were” at the start of the war, insists the government.

Oil prices are falling after the announcement of an agreement between Washington and Tehran, which paves the way for a resumption of oil flows in the Strait of Hormuz. After falling overnight, the price of a barrel of Brent from the North Sea, for delivery in August, lost 4.82% around 08:55 GMT (10:55 a.m. in Paris), at 83.12 dollars, shortly after having lost more than 5%. Its American equivalent, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate, for delivery in July, fell 5.21% to 80.46 dollars, shortly after falling below the 80 dollar mark for the first time since mid-March.

Iran added at the last moment of the negotiations a clause providing for the imposition of fees for maritime services in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, reported the Iranian agency Fars. “In the final moments of the negotiations, the text of the memorandum of understanding was modified, clearly and explicitly highlighting the issue of Iranian-Omani sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz,” she said, citing an anonymous source. “The use of the term ‘maritime services’ (in the final version) means that the United States will require payment of fees from Iran,” the agency said.

During this interview, Donald Trump also attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom his relations have been strained for several weeks (nouvelle fenêtre). The leader launched strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday, triggering the anger of Tehran and thus risking derailing the agreement. “He is a very difficult man, and to be honest, he should be very grateful to us for what we have done,” said the American president, who assured that he had protected the Jewish state from a possible Iranian nuclear attack. “Because if Iran had nuclear weapons, Israel would not have been there for two hours,” he argued.

In an interview with the New York Times (nouvelle fenêtre) On Sunday, American President Donald Trump assured that the memorandum of understanding concluded with Tehran would ultimately guarantee that passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be “free”, and “indefinitely”. He also threatened to resume strikes on Iran if the latter did not reach a final agreement on nuclear power.

The tenant of the White House also made a surprising proposal, if Iran remained a threat to American interests: make the United States “the guardian of the Middle East”, in exchange for 20% of the region’s income. It would thus transform American protection in the area into “a mercenary force, present in exchange for profits”, writes the American daily. Which “would fundamentally deny the post-World War II American tradition of using its power to secure global peace and prosperity.”

The United States and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement to end the war in the Middle East. Both countries believe, each on their side, to have made the other bend. Guillaume Auda, LCI international journalist, looks back on the different reactions.

Shortly after the criticisms expressed by the Israeli Minister in charge of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, another far-right minister spoke: the one in charge of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, also affirmed that “the agreement with Iran is bad for Israel”.

“The joint (Israeli-American) campaign has achieved many successes in weakening Iran, and these achievements have not been in vain,” he declared on his Telegram channel. “We will have to continue the campaign to bring down the regime ourselves, using creative means, and ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons,” he added, calling for strengthening the military operation in Lebanon.

“It is in Lebanon that we will be judged. It is our war, these are our soldiers, and the immediate security of our inhabitants of the north is at stake,” he continued.

Israel will maintain its troops in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an indefinite period, the Israeli Defense Minister said. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have a clear policy that the Israeli military will remain in the safe zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an indefinite period, to protect the border and Israeli communities from attacks. jihadist elements,” Israel Katz said in a statement. He also warned Iran, saying Israel would retaliate with “all its force” if the Islamic Republic attacked it in response to its military operations in Lebanon.

The announcement of a memorandum of understanding also caused a reaction from the French political class. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, boss of Renaissance and declared candidate for the 2027 presidential election, said on BFMTV (nouvelle fenêtre) that “there is always vigilance to be had on the follow-up which will be given to this pre-agreement” and the “security conditions” found, deploring that the Iranian people are still “martyrized” by the regime. France must participate in “discussions” and “the opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, he also argued, referring to the international mission on the subject.

“Anything that allows us to stop this illegal war, triggered by Trump and Netanyahu, is good news,” declared his side on France 2 (nouvelle fenêtre) the president of the LFI group in the National Assembly, Mathilde Panot. But she called for “caution”: “A lot will depend on whether Netanyahu respects the ceasefire, particularly in Lebanon,” she stressed, affirming that Israel “violated all the ceasefires,” including in Gaza. “France should have acted much stronger to stop Netanyahu,” the MP also said.

Washington and Tehran announced that they had reached an agreement to end the war, which began on February 28. An announcement welcomed by the UN and many countries around the world, notably several European capitals including Paris. Calls to put the agreement into practice are increasing.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed “a historic step towards peace”, with the help of his country’s mediation. “Today, the world witnessed a historic step towards peace. After the darkness of war, the sun of peace has risen,” the leader said, highlighting the “extraordinary” role played in the negotiation by Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, and also thanking the other countries that contributed to the mediation.

For its part, Egyptian diplomacy welcomed the compromise reached, believing that it could constitute a “major turning point” for peace in the region. “Egypt hopes that this agreement will constitute a major turning point towards strengthening mutual trust, establishing new foundations for cooperation, creating an environment conducive to peace and promoting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving remaining regional issues,” listed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Affairs in Cairo in a press release.

Beijing’s turn to react: it welcomed the announcement of a memorandum of understanding with satisfaction. “China welcomes the fact that the United States and Iran have reached an agreement on the content of the first-phase memorandum of understanding, and welcomes Pakistan’s mediation efforts,” Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Affairs, said on Monday. foreigners.

The country hopes that Washington and Tehran will sign this text “as planned” and that “all stakeholders will favor the path of peace, in order to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation”, he indicated during a regular press briefing. But also “that security and free movement in the strait will be restored as quickly as possible”, Lin Jian also affirmed.

Saudi Arabia also welcomed the agreement, while warning that “the security interests of the states in the region” must be taken into account. The kingdom welcomed “the agreement reached between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to end military operations and initiate, within 60 days, detailed negotiations with a view to reaching a permanent agreement”, declared on X the Saudi Ministry of Affairs foreigners.

He also insisted on the need to reach a lasting peace agreement “which takes into consideration the security interests of the states in the region while respecting the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the announcement of a memorandum of understanding, while calling not to forget “the cost” of the conflict, a “nonsense” according to him. “More than 7,400 dead, mostly civilians. Hundreds of homes, schools and hospitals destroyed. A widespread rise in prices and billions of euros in losses, including in Europe. Such is the cost of the conflict in Iran”, writes on expressed his fierce opposition to this conflict. “Let’s celebrate. But let’s not forget. And let’s learn once and for all that war is a failure. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only way,” he concludes.

The President of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri, who plays an intermediary role between Hezbollah and Washington, for his part welcomed “Iran and the United States” in a press release. He thanked them for having “insisted on including in the agreement an essential and binding clause stipulating an end to Israeli aggression against all of Lebanon.”

Lebanon has not been informed of the agreement between the United States and Iran, which nevertheless provides for the end of the war on all fronts in the Middle East, including on its own soil, an official source told AFP. “We have not been informed of the terms of the agreement”, nor of the moment of entry into force of a cease-fire in the war which pits Hezbollah against Israel since March 2, indicated this official Lebanese source, who requested anonymity.

The violence in the south has, however, decreased in intensity and the National Information Agency (official Ani) reported Israeli artillery bombardments, but no strikes on Monday morning. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah has for its part no longer claimed any attacks against Israel since the night. AFP correspondents noted on Monday morning a timid return of residents to areas of the south which are not occupied by the Israeli army.

Still on France Inter, Alice Ruffo was also delighted that Lebanon was included in the “cessation of hostilities”, “it’s a good thing”. “We know well that Israel has not been in favor of an agreement in substance for a long time,” she noted. But “it is time for Lebanon to stop being hostage to other people’s wars. And there, I really believe that we have a very important opportunity (…) to impose the fact that the guns are silent and that we can work towards the resumption of Lebanese sovereignty, that is to say the control of the State over the militias, it’s important,” insisted the Minister Delegate.

As for the international mission led by France and the United Kingdom, “we are ready to contribute to the implementation of an agreement which will allow the resumption of freedom of maritime movement quickly, robustly and efficiently in the Strait of Hormuz”, added Alice Ruffo, insisting that this mission is being prepared “at a distance from the belligerents”. She recalled that an “agreement from all parties” was necessary, including Iran, “this is what we will have to work on during the week”. Discussions should “focus on this” during the G7 which opens this Monday in Evian.

On the aspect of demining the Strait, “if the conditions are met, we are ready to support, with our partners, operations which would be necessary”, she added. “We have the general framework, now we have to build it,” said the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces, stressing that the French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle will remain in the region for the time being.

On France Inter (nouvelle fenêtre)the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces “resolutely” welcomed this agreement and considered that it “is important for us, for international stability, it opens an opportunity for stability in the region”. While calling for it “to be implemented in an effective and robust manner”.

The “diplomatic phase which is opening” will be “very intense”, “and what matters is that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is rapid”, she also urged, demanding “no tolls or conditions placed on this reopening”.

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, for her part considered that this agreement was “good news”, if however “it is reinforced by the developments of the coming days”. “We can only rejoice about it,” she declared on France Culture, “especially if it marks the opening and demining of the Strait of Hormuz.”

She noted, however, that the news would have to be “confirmed”, because “we have been heated a number of times by the imminence of an agreement, but it seems (…) that this time it is the right one”. The official, however, observed “that we have not yet finished the story and in particular the whole question of uranium enrichment remains to be debated, agreed and concluded in the form of an agreement, since it was one of the ‘goals’ of this strange war”.

Washington and Tehran are due to send delegations to Doha this week for indirect preparatory discussions with a view to the signing, scheduled for Friday in Geneva, of an agreement sponsored by Pakistan and intended to put a lasting end to the war in the Middle East.

“Separate preparatory meetings with each of the parties will be held this week in Doha, before the official signing in Switzerland and the launch of technical discussions,” a diplomat close to the discussions told AFP, on condition of anonymity. According to him, the Qatari mediators left Tehran after “17 hours of intensive negotiations”, which began on Sunday and which resulted in an agreement.

“The priority now is” the “rapid and complete” implementation of the agreement “by all parties”, affirmed for her part the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. “Freedom of navigation must be restored, without rights of passage, it is essential for regional stability and for the global economy,” she added in a statement. She also called for a “genuine ceasefire” in Lebanon, believing that “there can be no peace in the Middle East as long as Lebanon is in flames.”

On X, the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas welcomed “a major potential step forward”. “This agreement could provide much-needed space to continue in-depth negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and other critical issues. Once implemented, it should also help alleviate the global energy crisis,” she insisted.

This Monday, EU foreign ministers will “discuss how the EU can be closely involved in the next phase”, she added, assuring that “the EU is ready to contribute to a lasting resolution”.

European stock markets opened higher on Monday, welcoming the announcement of an agreement in the Middle East which brought oil prices to their lowest level since March. After a few minutes of discussion, Paris progressed (+1.84%) a little more strongly than Frankfurt (+1.74%). More dependent on oil prices, London took off more moderately (+0.80%).

Guest on RTL (nouvelle fenêtre)government spokesperson Maud Bregeon warned that pump prices will have to fall “as quickly” as they had increased at the start of the war, if the agreement leads to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“If this agreement is put in place, and the Strait of Hormuz reopens as soon as possible, then we will observe a drop in the price of Brent and therefore in the price of a barrel,” the official, also minister responsible for energy, explained on RTL. “Pump prices should reflect the declines in Brent prices,” she added, hoping that these reductions would be “as rapid as the increases were” at the start of the conflict, at the end of February.

Wanting to be “optimistic” about the finalization of the peace agreement, she also specified that the government was maintaining “a constant dialogue with all distributors” because, “behind it, it is the purchasing power of the French, so no one can take advantage of this crisis.”

The far-right Israeli Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, criticized this agreement which should put an end to hostilities including in Lebanon, affirming that Israel was not bound by its terms. “Trump’s agreement does not bind us (…) we are not party to this agreement. It does not guarantee our security,” he said on his Telegram channel, a first reaction from an Israeli official to this agreement concluded on Monday.

“We must not settle for anything short of dismantling the (Lebanese Islamist movement) Hezbollah. We must not withdraw a single inch from the territory that our soldiers have conquered and cleared of terrorist infrastructure (in Lebanon),” he urged.

Jean-Noël Barrot also hopes that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz can make it possible to “reestablish freedom of navigation and thus reduce the pressure which has been exerted for far too long now on the prices of hydrocarbons, (…) on the world economy and the purchasing power of the French”.Â

The international mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, led by Paris and London, is “already ready”, assured the head of French diplomacy Jean-Noël Barrot. This mission “strictly defensive and independent of the parties to the conflict” has been prepared for weeks, he added. It is designed to be “capable of deploying quickly to accelerate the resumption of traffic”, and will be on the menu of G7 discussions, he further specified.

In this context, Jean-Noël Barrot also recalled that Europe had “granted 100 million euros to support the Lebanese authorities, the Lebanese armed forces”, engaged “in a demanding and also historic dialogue with the Israeli authorities”. An approach that France supports, he added.

 From Luxembourg, where he is participating this morning in a meeting of EU foreign ministers, the head of French diplomacy Jean-Noël Barrot returned to the agreement reached, for which he is “welcome”. It “must allow the end of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, which should allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz”, but also the start of a “global negotiation allowing the restoration of stability and security in the region”, which involves in particular the requirement to “supervise” Iran’s nuclear program, he detailed.

He also urged that “the Iranian people, who have suffered so much from repression and war, can freely build their future.” All these “next steps” will be “prepared” by the meetings planned in Évian, where the G7 opens this Monday, which also brings together Arab and Gulf countries which have been invited by France.

“This must allow an unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz”, which has had “consequences on the daily life” of the French, in particular price increases at the pump, a “very concrete issue”, explained the French minister delegate in charge of gender equality Aurore Bergé, guest on “Bonjour! La matinale de TF1”. She also mentioned a “regional stability issue, particularly for Lebanon”.

“We are waiting for the elements to be completely final and concluded”, in particular the fact that there are “no tolls”, she added. “It is better to be cautious on these subjects, because I believe that the French expect there to be very direct and positive consequences for them.”

French President Emmanuel Macron will also be a guest on TF1’s 1 p.m. show: he will answer Marie-Sophie Lacarrau’s questions from Évian.

At the same time, the G7 summit will begin this Monday in Evian, on the shores of Lake Geneva, in France. “The objective will be to see the consequences of this agreement, the support for Lebanon, the reopening of Hormuz over time, and obviously the conclusion of an agreement on nuclear and ballistics in Iran,” declared French President Emmanuel Macron in a video posted on his social networks upon his arrival at night. “We will also look at ways and means of diversifying the energy routes that leave the region to escape our dependence” and therefore “the consequences of the crisis in the Middle East on our economies”, he explained.

EU Council President Antonio Costa welcomed the agreement on Monday, adding that Europeans were ready to contribute to a “long-lasting peace”. “I look forward to the end of this costly war and the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” he responded on X. “The guns must now be silent, and outstanding disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, in accordance with international law.”

The agreement must put an end to the fighting in Lebanon, according to Tehran, which plunges into embarrassment the Israeli government, which until then was pursuing a massive offensive in the south of the country and which had even hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday. No official reaction has yet been published. Israel is also concerned about the precise terms of the Iranian nuclear agreement. Explanations from our correspondent on site, Dror Even Sapir.Â

US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Sunday that he planned to attend the signing of the agreement with Iran in a few days in Switzerland, and added that the presence of Donald Trump was also “possible”. “I intend to be there, but it is possible that the president himself will be present,” he told the television channel.

According to the Pakistani mediator, this agreement aimed at ending the war in the Middle East will be officially signed in Geneva on June 19.

During the night, the Iranian armed forces believed they had humiliated the United States and Israel during their war against the Islamic Republic. Iran has “imposed its divine and steel will on humiliated American and Zionist enemies. The enemy has no choice but to accept defeat and surrender,” declared the Iranian General Staff in a statement broadcast on television of State.

The announcement triggered a fall of more than 4% in oil prices, which had soared since the outbreak of war on February 28 and the blockage of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s hydrocarbon trade normally passed. The Tokyo Stock Exchange jumped more than 4% and that of Seoul more than 5% Monday morning.

In a joint statement, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy said they were “ready to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear and verifiable steps by Iran regarding its nuclear program.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed a “decisive step forward”. “We have long called for a de-escalation, and this is precisely the progress we hoped to see happen,” he reacted in a press release. He urged “to now focus on the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the reopening of the Strait and ensure that it remains fully and permanently open, as well as finalizing the details of the nuclear deal.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called, in a message posted on the social network He stressed “the need to avoid any rhetoric, any provocation and any action likely to aggravate tensions in the period preceding the signing of the agreement, and to remain vigilant in the face of possible acts of sabotage.”

For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, which participated in the mediation, expressed in a press release its “total support for all efforts and initiatives aimed at strengthening regional security and stability”.

UN chief Antonio Guterres quickly welcomed the agreement. “This is a crucial step towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict”, underlined the Secretary General in a press release, thanking on this occasion several countries for their role as mediator, including Pakistan

The document on which Washington and Tehran agreed was not immediately made public. But Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, listed four topics for the upcoming discussions: the lifting of sanctions against Iran, the nuclear issue, the country’s “reconstruction” and “economic development”, as well as “the establishment of a mechanism monitoring” of the commitments made.

The Iranian Mehr news agency also reported a text, which has not been officially confirmed, according to which the agreement provides for “the release of 24 billion dollars of frozen Iranian assets during the 60-day negotiation period”, half of which before the start of talks.

In statements to the New York Times, Donald Trump indicated for his part that one aspect of the negotiations concerns the acceptance by Iran of a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment, and suggested that an agreement could be found for a period of 15 years.

The agreement was announced this Monday morning by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, key mediator of the conflict, and confirmed shortly after by Washington and Tehran. “The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now finalized,” wrote American President Donald Trump on his Truth Social network.

“I fully authorize the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without rights of passage and, at the same time, the immediate lifting of the American naval blockade. Ships around the world, start the engines. Let the oil flow freely!”, he welcomed, adding that this opening will take place “as soon as the agreement is signed on Friday to allow mine clearance.”

The agreement provides for “the immediate and definitive end of the war and military operations on the various fronts, including in Lebanon”, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem declared on state television. Gharibabadi. “Negotiations will begin within 60 days with a view to reaching a final agreement,” he said.

In his message published on social networks, French President Emmanuel Macron believes that a “robust and lasting” ceasefire is essential in Lebanon. France “will also continue to provide its full support to the determined efforts of the Lebanese authorities to restore the sovereignty of the State, which is the only one capable of ensuring the stability and territorial integrity of Lebanon and responding to the needs of the populations”, he adds.

“This agreement also opens the way to a global negotiation in the service of peace and security for all in the Middle East”, he also believes, calling for “responding to concerns linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its destabilization policy regional.”

From Beirut, Arthur Sarradin, correspondent for TF1/LCI, speaks of “cautious relief” on the Lebanese side, where no official declaration has yet been made.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could take place on Friday following the signing of the agreement reached between Tehran and Washington. We take stock with our special envoy to Doha.

“The birthday present Donald Trump wanted most”. From Washington, our correspondent Sonia Dridi takes stock of this agreement reached between Washington and Tehran, announced on the American president’s 80th birthday.

What are the terms of the agreement? When will it be signed? What can we expect for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz? Answer elements in the video below.

Crude oil prices plunged more than 4% on Monday, while Asian stock markets jumped at the start of trading, in markets relieved by the announcement of an agreement between the United States and Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East.

“This agreement must allow the urgent and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which the international mission set up with the United Kingdom is ready to support,” declared French President Emmanuel Macron from Évian, on the shores of Lake Geneva, where a G7 summit begins today.

The United States and Iran reached an agreement Monday to immediately end the war in the Middle East on all fronts, including Lebanon, with a signing ceremony planned for Friday in Geneva.

This agreement was announced Monday morning by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, key mediator of the conflict, and confirmed shortly after by Washington and Tehran.

Welcome to this live broadcast dedicated to the latest news from the war in the Middle East. Follow here, throughout the day, the latest news as well as insights from our specialists and special correspondents.