Nicolai Haugsted
The president gives threat, as ceasefire deal is being signed.
A diplomatic breakthrough and a fresh round of threats arrived hand in hand on Wednesday as Washington and Tehran unveiled the full text of a temporary agreement designed to halt months of conflict and open the door to broader negotiations.
While both governments presented the accord as a major step toward ending the war, President Donald Trump made clear that military pressure remains on the table if Iran fails to comply with its obligations, according to Reuters.
Temporary deal enters force
Officials from both countries confirmed that Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed a 14-point memorandum intended to extend an existing ceasefire and create a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent settlement.
According to the published document, the agreement includes a halt to military operations, the reopening of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of U.S. restrictions on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a framework for future sanctions relief.
Iran also reaffirmed that it will not pursue nuclear weapons and agreed to discussions regarding its stockpile of enriched uranium under international supervision.
Government representatives in Tehran said the agreement took effect immediately on Wednesday.
Trump issues warning
Despite celebrating the agreement, Trump coupled his remarks with a direct warning to Iranian leaders during the G7 summit in France.
“We’re going to bomb the hell out of them if they violate the agreement,” Trump told reporters.
“I don’t want them to. I want them to honor the agreement.”
Earlier in the day, he delivered a similar message, saying military action could quickly resume if Washington concludes Tehran is not following the deal.
At the same time, Trump expressed optimism that negotiations could eventually bring greater stability to the region and help lower energy prices.
Major concessions included
Terms outlined in the memorandum represent a significant shift in relations between the two countries.
Among the measures included are plans to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, remove U.S. sanctions under a future framework, unlock Iranian financial assets and establish a reconstruction fund reportedly worth at least $300 billion.
Financial markets reacted positively to prospects of reduced tensions and renewed shipping access through one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Oil prices initially moved lower before recovering after Trump’s renewed threats of force.
Iran celebrates diplomatic outcome
Iranian officials framed the agreement as proof that negotiations achieved more than military confrontation.
“Everything we sought to achieve through military action, we obtained several times over through negotiation; it was not even comparable,” Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on state television.
Photographs released by Iranian authorities showed what officials described as the first agreement signed by leaders of both countries since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
Trump changes position on missiles
Another notable development emerged during Trump’s appearance in France.
Earlier in the conflict, Trump had repeatedly pledged to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities. On Wednesday, however, he appeared to soften that position.
“I’m saying that if other countries have them, it’s a little bit unfair for them not to have some,” Trump said.
Remarks marked a significant departure from earlier promises to dismantle Iran’s missile infrastructure entirely.
G7 leaders welcome progress
Leaders attending the G7 summit broadly welcomed the agreement and voiced support for efforts to secure a permanent settlement.
European governments continue to share concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme, but several have also expressed caution about the challenges involved in reaching a lasting accord covering nuclear activity, ballistic missiles and regional security issues.
Discussions also touched on Lebanon, where the memorandum calls for an end to hostilities involving Hezbollah. Fighting has decreased since negotiations advanced, though clashes and military operations have not fully stopped.
Trump also offered mild criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach in Lebanon.
“Netanyahu happens to be a good man, gets a little excited sometimes,” Trump said.
“We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say you can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s from Hezbollah.”
Negotiators from both countries are expected to begin formal talks on a permanent agreement later this week, with discussions scheduled to continue over the next two months.
