The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy have stated their readiness to lift certain sanctions imposed on Tehran, welcoming the agreement announced by Washington and Tehran to end the war in the Middle East.
“We are ready to lift the relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran regarding its nuclear programme. We will work closely with the US, Iran and regional partners to build on this momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement,” the joint statement said.
“Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons. We are ready to cooperate with the US, Iran and the IAEA to this end,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the peace agreement between the US and Iran as a “critical step” towards resolving the conflict in the Middle East. “The Secretary-General hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict,” reads Guterres’ statement, released by his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the leaders of the ‘Group of Seven’ (G7) will discuss the long-term opening of the Strait of Hormuz on 15 June, in line with the announced agreement between the US and Iran to cease hostilities in the Middle East.
At the G7 summit, to be held in Evian, France, “the aim will be to assess the implications of this agreement, support for Lebanon, the long-term opening of the Strait of Hormuz and, of course, the conclusion of an agreement on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic activities,” Macron said in an Instagram video.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that a framework agreement had been reached on ending hostilities in the Middle East, opening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran confirmed the agreement, and Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on 15 June that “a definitive and immediate end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, has been announced.”
US President Donald Trump and Pakistani mediators have stated that the peace agreement is due to be signed on 19 June in Switzerland. Although some issues have reportedly already been resolved, others will be the subject of negotiations over the next 60 days, officials said.