World reacts to US-Iran deal to extend ceasefire, reopen Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding to extend a ceasefire in the US-Iran war.

Pakistan, which has been mediating the peace process, said the “Islamabad MoU” had gone into effect as of Wednesday.

US officials said the agreement includes Iran reaffirming a commitment to not develop a nuclear weapon , an end to the war on all fronts and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The war began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, though a temporary ceasefire suspended much of the most intense fighting on April 8. This agreement extends the ceasefire for 60 days, paving the way for further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions on Tehran and the release of frozen assets.

The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, addressed Iranian media following the signing, stating that Iran will monitor the US’s compliance “without any leniency” and will not “fulfil” its commitments if Washington “evades its obligations”.

He also said that Iran’s nuclear programme and the lifting of US sanctions would be discussed during the 60-day period, but that Tehran’s missile programme would be off the table in negotiations.

He also said that Iran would also not ship its stockpile of highly enriched uranium abroad, that the US held responsibility to compel Israel to respect commitments to Iran, and that Iran would finalise a new regime to manage the Strait of Hormuz along with Oman, in which they would “charge fees for services” there.

Video footage of the moment US President Donald Trump physically signed the interim deal at the Versailles Palace showed him pausing before putting pen to paper.