US and Iran reach preliminary deal after 100-day conflict

The United States and Iran, with Pakistan as mediator, announced on Sunday a preliminary agreement to end the conflict that has lasted more than 100 days. US President Donald Trump hailed it as a 'Great Deal' that will bring peace and security to the region, while Iran's Supreme National Security Council described it as a memorandum of understanding. The document will be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday. Though not a final agreement, it is expected to open a pathway for negotiations on the most contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear program and the sanctions imposed on the country. However, Tehran has attached preconditions to future talks, and Trump has warned about the possibility of renewed military strikes.

Both sides have offered their own accounts of the deal's terms, but the full details have not been released. The agreement reportedly includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. The preliminary nature of the deal means that significant challenges remain, and the path to a lasting resolution is still uncertain. The coming weeks will be crucial as the two sides begin formal negotiations on the core issues that have fueled decades of tension.