President Donald Trump announced the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the virtual signing of a peace framework with Iran aimed at ending the regional conflict. The announcement came Sunday ahead of the G7 summit in France, where Trump appeared alongside French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the agreement. Trump described the deal as “all signed” and expressed optimism that the strategically vital shipping lane would be fully reopened by Friday, when an official signing ceremony is planned in Switzerland.
The agreement was signed electronically by Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Vance cautioned, however, that further negotiations over the next 60 days are necessary to finalize the long-term reopening of the strait without tolls. While G7 leaders including Macron, Britain’s Sir Keir Starmer, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni issued a joint statement supporting the progress, key details of the deal remain unresolved.
Reactions to the announcement were mixed. Some world leaders welcomed the development as a potential diplomatic breakthrough. The European statement called the deal a “moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy,” emphasizing the urgency of ensuring unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. China also expressed support, praising Pakistan’s mediation efforts and stating its commitment to peace and stability in the Gulf region.
Nonetheless, skepticism remains prevalent. Iranian opposition figures, such as Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late shah, dismissed the deal as likely to fail. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu condemned the peace talks, citing Iran as an existential threat to Israel and claiming that the conflict had prevented nuclear annihilation. Within the United States, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, an ally of Trump, voiced concern that Iran’s interpretation of the agreement differed from that of the American side.
Analysts and residents in the Middle East expressed cautious hope but also uncertainty about the deal’s durability. Mohammed Baharoon, a research director in Dubai, described the agreement as a preliminary step that ultimately showcases President Trump’s influence in the crisis but warned that much work remains. Others highlighted that while reopening the Strait of Hormuz is critical, it had never been fully closed, and the broader conflict’s unresolved issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief, cast doubt on swift progress.
Public sentiment in Gulf states reflected wariness after years of missile and drone attacks that disrupted the region’s security and economies. Some residents in Dubai expressed fatigue and hope for peace but questioned the sincerity and finality of the announcement, citing prior failed ceasefires.
As the G7 summit continues, Trump is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Middle Eastern leaders and participate in discussions about the Iran conflict, which remains the focal point of the gathering. The agreement, while signaling a move toward de-escalation, leaves numerous challenges ahead before a comprehensive peace can be secured.