UN Secretary-General praises US-Iran deal, backs momentum for lasting peace

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday welcomed the US-Iran peace agreement, including a permanent ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “critical step” towards ending the conflict in the Middle East.

“The Secretary-General hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and intensify their efforts towards a final resolution of the conflict,” Guterres said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

He also expressed “deep appreciation for the constructive role played by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and other regional countries in supporting the negotiations that led to the peace deal.”

“The Secretary-General reaffirms that the United Nations stands ready to support the parties in achieving a durable and comprehensive peace,” the statement added.

European powers signal readiness to ease Iran sanctions

The E4 nations — the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy — said they were prepared to consider lifting sanctions on Iran in response to progress on its nuclear programme following the US-Iran agreement to end hostilities.

“Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. We stand ready to work with the United States, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency to achieve this goal,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

Japan welcomes agreement

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday welcomed the deal aimed at ending the conflict and expressed hope for its smooth implementation, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

In a post on X, Takaichi said Japan “strongly hopes” that “free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will be ensured in practice” and that “a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear issue and other outstanding matters will be reached as soon as possible.”