Iran says deal finalized as US naval blockade set to end

Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said early Monday that a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington has been finalized following weeks of negotiations, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Geneva as the United States prepares to lift its naval blockade against Iranian waters.

Geneva ceremony scheduled

Gharibabadi described the accord as the result of both sustained diplomatic negotiations and Iran's military achievements during the weeks-long conflict that has roiled the region. "The enemy that launched the attack failed in all of its malicious objectives, and the Islamic Republic achieved major victories in the war," he said, according to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency. He noted that Tehran had succeeded in including all of its key positions in the draft text, adding that the full memorandum would be published following the official signing ceremony.

Trump announces blockade end

US President Donald Trump confirmed late Sunday that the agreement had been completed, simultaneously announcing the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and an end to the naval blockade that has choked maritime traffic. "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He stated that he had authorized "the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz" alongside the "immediate removal" of the US naval blockade against Iranian ports.

The blockade is expected to end Sunday night US time, according to Gharibabadi. Iranian officials plan to explain the agreement's various dimensions and achievements through public media before the Friday signing event in Switzerland, which diplomats hope will stabilize regional shipping lanes.