The Executives of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy have received this Sunday "with great satisfaction" the announcement of the "memorandum of understanding" reached between the United States and Iran, and have underlined the "urgent" nature of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with "unconditional" and "unrestricted" freedom of navigation.
In a joint statement, the leaders of these four countries have stated: "We welcome with great satisfaction the announcement of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. We congratulate the United States, the Iranian Government, and all parties involved, including Pakistan, Qatar, and the rest of the mediators, for this diplomatic breakthrough," while describing the "urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation" as "essential."
The statement released by the Élysée emphasizes that the four European capitals are willing to launch a "strictly defensive and independent" mission to "guarantee the security of commercial navigation and carry out demining operations" in the area.
In the same vein, French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated on social media that "the means are available and ready to be deployed," insisting that "the resumption of maritime traffic, without restrictions or tolls, is an indispensable condition for regional stability and the global economy."
The joint text defines the current moment as a "propitious moment" to "re-establish regional stability" and "stabilize the global economy," and emphasizes that it is "fundamental" that "negotiations are concluded in detail" and that the pact "is applied quickly and exhaustively."
In this line, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has remarked on the importance of the agreement being executed "with determination" with the aim of opening the door to a "revitalized" global economy and a "safer" Middle East.
The signatory governments have also underlined the priority of preventing Iran from "ever acquiring" a nuclear weapon, and have expressed their willingness to cooperate with Tehran, Washington, and the International Atomic Energy Agency for this purpose. "We are prepared to lift the relevant sanctions in response to clear and verifiable measures by Iran regarding its nuclear program," the statement reads.
For his part, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that, for any peace to "be lasting," it will be "essential" that "commitments made" and, in particular, those linked to the Iranian nuclear program "are solid, verifiable, and fully met." "The UK's firm and long-standing position remains that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons," Starmer concluded in a social media message.
At the same time, European leaders have committed to working "intensely" with the United States, Iran, and regional actors to "seize this moment, maintain momentum, and reach a long-term diplomatic solution," reiterating their "full support" for the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Lebanon" and the need for a "solid" ceasefire.
This Sunday, United States President Donald Trump confirmed an agreement with Iran under which the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz imposed by US forces is immediately lifted, while Tehran ratified the pact after stating it had "forced" Washington to accept its conditions.
However, the first announcement of the provisional peace agreement was made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who announced that the formal signing ceremony will be held on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.