E4 countries welcome US-Iran peace deal, ready to lift sanctions

Our Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser. A woman holds an Iranian flag during a pro-government campaign in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 8, 2026. /VCG The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy welcomed the US-Iran peace deal announced on Sunday in a joint statement. "This is a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy," the statement said, according to the BBC. While noting that Iran "must never acquire a nuclear weapon," the major European countries said they are "prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program." The European leaders urged the US-Iran deal to be "implemented rapidly and comprehensively," saying the "urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation is essential." "We will work intensively with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement," the statement added. Earlier in the day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on social platform X that the United States and Iran had reached a peace agreement following intensive negotiations, with an official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland. Minutes later, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social that "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete." "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," he announced.