US, Iran announce agreement ahead of planned signing ceremony in Switzerland

WASHINGTON D.C. (WWAY) — The United States and Iran have reached an agreement that is scheduled to take effect Friday following a formal signing ceremony in Switzerland, according to announcements made Sunday by officials from both countries.

News of the deal was first announced by Pakistan’s prime minister. Later Sunday, President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, and the U.S. naval blockade lifted once the agreement is formally signed.

Trump said additional negotiations between the two nations would continue after the signing ceremony.

Neither the White House nor Iranian officials immediately released the full text of the agreement, and specific details about its provisions were not publicly available Sunday.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Israel had not publicly commented on the agreement as of Sunday evening. Earlier in the day, Israeli forces launched strikes in Beirut before news of the deal was announced.

The agreement was revealed as Iran’s national soccer team arrived in Los Angeles ahead of its FIFA World Cup match against New Zealand scheduled for Monday.

Officials from the United States and Iran have not yet provided a timeline for releasing the complete text of the accord or details about future negotiations expected to follow Friday’s signing ceremony.