U.S. and Iran to Sign Agreement Ending Over 100 Days of War

The United States and Iran have agreed to end more than 100 days of war, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled in Switzerland on Friday. Whether the deal holds, however, depends largely on Israel, which shows no intention of withdrawing from Lebanese territory.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the deal brings an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israel currently occupies nearly a fifth of the country’s territory.

In a statement Sunday, the council said: “Based on the agreements reached, the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will end immediately and permanently as of tonight, and in addition, the naval blockade against Iran will end immediately and completely.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country helped broker the talks, confirmed the Switzerland signing, while Iran’s deputy foreign minister said negotiations on a final comprehensive agreement will continue for 60 days afterwards.

Trump, meanwhile, posted to social media: “I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Hours before the deal was made, Israeli forces struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, nearly derailing the deal. Trump told U.S. outlet Axios he was furious, saying the attack delayed the signing by several hours and that Netanyahu had no judgment.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said Monday that Israeli troops will remain in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an unlimited period.

Columnist Gideon Levy of Israeli newspaper Haaretz told Al Jazeera the Lebanon question could sink the entire agreement. “It’s very, very fragile,” he said. “Israel is still in Lebanon, has no intention to withdraw from Lebanon, and as long as the troops are there, there will be no total ceasefire.”