Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, which has been mediating in the conflict, said the accord covered Lebanon.

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the US-Iran peace deal as a “hugely important step forward in ending the war” as he stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain “fully and permanently open”.

The Prime Minister congratulated Donald Trump and key mediators on the “breakthrough” after the US president said an agreement “is now complete” and the Strait of Hormuz oil and gas shipping route is to be reopened without tolls.

Sir Keir said in a statement: “I warmly welcome today’s agreement reached between the United States and Iran.

“This is a hugely important step forward in ending the war, ensuring regional stability, and re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.”

He continued: “Attention must now turn to fully implementing the memorandum of understanding to ensure the Strait reopens and remains fully and permanently open, and that the detailed elements of the nuclear agreement are finalised. We stand ready to support the technical talks that will now begin. Our priority is that this becomes a durable and lasting peace, and we will work with international partners to support that.

Sir Keir Starmer speech
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the mediators (Isabel Infantes/PA)

“We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz, to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt for several months – on families here in the UK and around the world.”

Sir Keir said the UK would stand up the defensive mission led by Britain and France to assist with demining the Strait of Hormuz once the conflict is paused.

“For any peace to endure, it is essential that the commitments made, particularly in relation to Iran’s nuclear programme, are robust, verifiable, and fully implemented. It remains the UK’s firm and longstanding position that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.”

Mr Trump earlier said a deal had been reached and that he was authorising an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.

The American leader, who is celebrating his 80th birthday, wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.

“Congratulations to all!

“I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Iran War
Demonstrators wave Iranian flags (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, which has been mediating in the conflict, said the accord covered Lebanon.

He wrote on X: “Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

“The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland.”

He added that “mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week”.

“These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony.”

Full details of the deal did not immediately emerge and it was unclear how soon the Strait of Hormuz could reopen to all vessels.

Central to the negotiations has been Iran’s stranglehold on the critical waterway, which has disrupted global oil and gas supplies and driven up fuel and food prices.

Another flashpoint has been Tehran’s nuclear plans, which it insists are peaceful but the US and Israel fear could be used to build a weapon due to its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The US president is expected to discuss plans with allies during next week’s G7 summit in France.

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