Trump says peace pact reached with Iran, oil set to flow through Strait of Hormuz

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that Israel does not plan to withdraw from territory it has seized in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip, signaling potential friction with the newly announced U.S.-Iran framework agreement.

Katz said Israeli forces would remain in the areas "indefinitely" and warned Iran against retaliating for recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

His remarks came hours after U.S. and Iranian officials announced a memorandum of understanding that would halt military operations and launch 60 days of negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program and other outstanding issues.

U.S. Ambassador Michael Waltz on Sunday praised President Donald Trump for securing a peace deal with Iran, saying the agreement will enhance U.S. security.

“The President has put our country first and negotiated a peace deal that will keep us safe and prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon,” Waltz said in a post shared on X.

“From the very beginning, @POTUS maximized our leverage, limited casualties and brought credible military force to ensure the best possible outcome,” he added before offering his congratulations to Trump.

“This is one hell of a way to celebrate a birthday. Congratulations, Mr. President," Waltz said.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is to be officially signed on June 19 in Switzerland.

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on the same day and said he had ordered an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

Oil prices fell to their lowest level since March on Monday after President Donald Trump and Iran's deputy foreign minister announced they had reached an agreement to end the war and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters reported Brent crude futures dropped $3.58, or 4.1%, to $83.75 a barrel by 12:04 a.m. GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $4.01, or 4.7%, to $80.87 a barrel.

Both benchmarks had already declined more than 3% on Friday, the outlet said.

Pakistan's prime minister said the United States and Iran will sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday.

Trump also said vessels would be able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz toll-free and that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would be lifted.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the agreement reached Sunday between the United States and Iran, saying it must now be carried out with determination.

“I welcome the agreement between the U.S. and Iran and congratulate President Trump and the Iranian side on this diplomatic breakthrough,” Merz said in a post on X.

“This can pave the way for a reinvigorated global economy and a more secure Middle East. It is crucial to implement it with determination,” he added

Qatari mediators left Tehran on Sunday after hours of negotiations, having reached a deal that will move the process into a new phase, a diplomat briefed on the developments told Fox News' Trey Yingst.

"Qatari mediators have left Tehran after 17 hours of intensive negotiations," the diplomat said.

"A deal has been reached, and separate preparatory meetings with each side will now take place in Doha this week, ahead of the official signing in Switzerland and the start of the technical talks," the diplomat added.

The mediators had traveled to Tehran on Sunday in an effort to finalize the terms of the agreement and secure commitments from both sides.

The separate meetings in Doha are expected to precede the formal signing ceremony in Switzerland on June 19.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed Sunday that Tehran and Washington had finalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war after months of negotiations, according to reports.

In a statement, the council said all military operations across multiple fronts, including those in Lebanon, will cease "immediately and permanently" starting Sunday night.

It also said the U.S. naval blockade on Iran will be lifted in full with immediate effect, according to Iran International.

Talks on a comprehensive final agreement will begin only after the other side has implemented its obligations under the framework agreement, the outlet said.

The statement also expressed thanks to Pakistan and Qatar for their mediation efforts.

The deal which is to be signed June 19 will reportedly start 60 days of discussions over Tehran's nuclear program and broader agreement.

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani welcomed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran on Sunday, describing it as a foundation for further progress.

"We welcome the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran," Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement posted on X.

"We extend our thanks to our brothers in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as well as to all regional and international parties that contributed to creating the conditions conducive to reaching this understanding," he said.

"We look forward to all parties engaging in the forthcoming negotiations in a positive and constructive spirit that will help consolidate this progress and build upon it," he added.

"We reaffirm that the State of Qatar will remain a steadfast supporter of these efforts and of all endeavors aimed at strengthening security and stability at the regional and international levels through dialogue and peaceful means," he said. 

European leaders threw their support behind the newly announced U.S.-Iran agreement, pledging sanctions relief in exchange for verifiable nuclear commitments from Tehran and urging implementation of the accord.

In a joint statement the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom said: “We are prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program.”

The E4 also underlined the importance of “unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz and called for the agreement to be “implemented rapidly and comprehensively.”

The nations also said they stand ready to work with the United States, Iran, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to achieve that goal, Reuters reported.

Separately, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the U.S.-Iran peace deal as a “hugely important step forward in ending the war” and said that the Strait of Hormuz must remain “fully and permanently open.”

Starmer also congratulated President Donald Trump on the “breakthrough.”

“I warmly welcome today’s agreement reached between the United States and Iran,” Starmer said in a statement.

President Donald Trump on Sunday praised the newly announced peace deal with Iran, calling it a historic breakthrough that will bring “peace and security” to the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region,” Trump said.

“Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me,” he added.

“The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace.

“With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region, and the World!” Trump said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif first announced that the U.S. and Iran had reached a deal, which includes the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that peace in the Middle East will take time despite a new deal, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah and warning that the region’s militants “haven't quite learned how to make peace.”

“There's, of course, the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Some elements of that organization are still threatening the Israelis,” Vance said on "The Big Weekend Show."

“You have a number of different pieces that are moving, and as you know, sometimes these cease-fires take a little bit of time to take root,” he said.

“People are very good over there at fighting each other. They haven't quite learned how to make peace,” he added.

Vance went on to say that under the president's leadership, “we've turned over a new leaf.”

“We're going to keep on working at it. I'm not going to say that everybody's going to sing Kumbaya tomorrow. It's going to take a little bit of time to learn the ways of peace. But I do think we took a major, major step tonight," Vance added.

Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that the administration's approach to the Middle East will help drive down energy costs and reduce regional instability in the wake of a new deal with Iran.

“What we're going to be able to do is drive down the cost of energy, not just now, but for the long term, and create a real engine of prosperity in the Middle East,” Vance said on "The Big Weekend Show" before describing how this would be where “Americans benefit from those lower energy prices, lower gas prices, and we don't have the same risk of chaos that we've had for the last generation.”

Vance also cited “big, big wins for the American people” and assured Americans that he knew it had been a hard time for a lot of Americans.

“We've achieved something great for them,” Vance added.

Iran's deputy foreign minister said Sunday that negotiations with the United States on a final agreement will take place over a 60-day period, according to reports.

Reuters reported that Tehran will publish the text of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) once it is officially signed.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran would take its own measures if the other side violates its commitments.

Gharibabadi also said an immediate and permanent end to the war and military operations on multiple fronts, including Lebanon, would be announced beginning Sunday.

He added that Iran would respond accordingly if it detects any breaches of the agreement by the other side and that Iran would enter the next phase of negotiations only after Iranian assets are unfrozen, the outlet said.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that a statement confirming the United States has agreed to a deal with Iran is expected imminently, according to reports.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump said the deal — which Iran has not yet confirmed it will accept — would either be signed electronically by him or Vice President JD Vance.

Trump also told the outlet the deal includes a commitment from Iran not to obtain nuclear weapons and would lead to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The president said removing enriched nuclear material from Iran could come later.

“We’ll get the nuclear dust later on when we’re ready to go in and do it. I’d say over the next month or two, there’s no rush,” he said before calling the material “harmless.”

“I think they want to get it done. This has never happened to them before,” he said of the regime.

“As far as regime change, I never cared about regime change. This is the third group we’ve dealt with, and this is the most rational group yet,” Trump added.

Trump also said the deal would include inspections and that Tehran would not receive any cash as part of the deal, though sanctions could eventually be lifted.

“We’ll see how they behave,” he said on the regime in Tehran. 

Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said Sunday that Israel’s strike on Beirut was a turning point and that preparations for a response were underway.

“A computational error in Beirut exhausted patience, and the order was issued. Zero hour has arrived, and the launchers are preparing,” Velayati wrote on X.

“Hezbollah is a vital part of the resistance axis. If the fire of mischief in Lebanon is not extinguished, the two powerful geographic arms — Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab — will squeeze your economic lifelines to the point of strategic suffocation,” he added.

Velayati’s comments came as Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli strike.

“Iran, while recalling the direct responsibility of the U.S. government for the crimes committed by the Zionist regime and its repeated violations of the ceasefire against Lebanon and Iran, emphasizes its determination to take all necessary measures to exercise its inherent right of legitimate defense,” the ministry said in a statement, according to Iran International.

Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported from Tel Aviv on Sunday and said that President Donald Trump believes a potential agreement with Iran could be just hours away, though significant challenges remain.

Yingst noted that negotiations have reached critical stages before, only for Iranian officials to step back from the table.

Adding uncertainty to the situation are escalating regional tensions following Israeli strikes on Beirut earlier Sunday in response to drone attacks targeting northern Israel.

According to Yingst, Iranian officials have indicated that the strikes against Hezbollah, Tehran's largest proxy in the region, will not go unanswered.

“The Iranians say those strikes will not go unanswered against their largest proxy in the region, Hezbollah,” Yingst said on "Fox Report."

“Tonight, the airspace of western Iran has been cleared, as officials here are warning the public to remain vigilant,” he added.

“They believe that there could be Iranian missiles soaring through the skies of Israel in the hours ahead.”

According to Yingst, Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the strikes and urged restraint, warning that further military action in Lebanon could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader agreement with Iran.

“He told the Israelis not to conduct more strikes against Lebanon, at risk of derailing the progress on the diplomatic front toward a broader agreement with the Iranian regime,” Yingst clarified before noting that the president is “optimistic.”

“The question is if the Iranians will retaliate and what that would do to these ongoing efforts to reach a broader agreement between the United States and Iran,” he said.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres criticized Israel's strikes on Beirut on Sunday, urging all sides to avoid further escalation.

“I strongly condemn today's Israeli strikes on Beirut,” Guterres said in a post shared on X.

“The strikes took place despite the ceasefire and at a time when the U.S. and Iran are expected to reach an agreement that will pave the way to a peaceful resolution of this conflict,” he added.

“This conflict is having a devastating impact on the world's economy,” Guterres said before urging all parties to show “maximum restraint at this crucial moment.”

“I strongly hope for a successful outcome of the ongoing efforts by the U.S. and Iran,” he said.

Flights in western Iran were canceled Sunday, according to reports.

Citing Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Reuters reported all flights in the region had been canceled until further notice. However, no official Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) had been issued, the outlet said.

The development came amid remarks by an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who said Iran would teach Israel a lesson after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck Beirut's southern suburbs.

"Neither the American diplomatic smile is trustworthy, nor is Israel's savagery tolerable!" Mohammad Mokhber wrote on X.

"We will teach the aggressors a lesson they will regret," he added.