The Executives of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy have celebrated this Sunday "with great satisfaction" the announcement of the "memorandum of understanding" between the United States and Iran, while considering "urgent" the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with "unconditional" and "unrestricted" freedom of passage.
"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," the leaders of these four countries have indicated in a joint statement in which they have described the "urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation" as "essential".
The statement released by the Élysée Palace emphasizes that the four European powers 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.
French President Emmanuel Macron has stressed 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."
In the joint text, the leaders describe the current scenario as a "propitious moment" to "re-establish regional stability" and "stabilize the global economy," and highlight as "fundamental" that "negotiations are concluded in detail" and that the agreement "is applied quickly and exhaustively."
In this regard, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized the importance of the pact being executed "with determination" to foster a "revitalized" global economy and a "safer" Middle East.
The signatories have also reiterated that Iran must "never acquire" a nuclear weapon and have shown their willingness to cooperate with Tehran, Washington, and the International Atomic Energy Agency to advance in that direction.
"We are prepared to lift the relevant sanctions in response to clear and verifiable measures by Iran regarding its nuclear program," the statement reads.
In this context, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has warned that, for any peace "to be lasting", it will be "essential" that "the commitments made" and, in particular, those relating to the Iranian nuclear program "are solid, verifiable and fully complied with".
"The UK's firm and long-standing position remains that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons," Starmer concluded in a message posted on social media.
European leaders have indicated that they will work "intensively" with the United States, Iran, and regional partners to "seize this moment, maintain momentum, and achieve a long-term diplomatic solution," and have reiterated their "full support" for Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as the need for a "solid" ceasefire.
The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has stressed that the framework agreed between the United States and Iran is "an opportunity for peace that must be seized," calling for it to lead to "a comprehensive agreement" and recalling that hostilities must also cease in Lebanon.
"The principles are clear: Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons and freedom of navigation must be guaranteed," she stated, emphasizing that Italy is prepared, along with other partners, to "contribute to an international naval presence to accompany the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz."
Other European leaders call for leaving the war behind
The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, has endorsed the principle of agreement between Washington and Tehran and has welcomed the framework "to stop hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz." "Important for security and stability in the region and globally. I praise the diplomatic efforts of our partners," her office noted, emphasizing that Denmark is committed "to supporting efforts to ensure freedom of navigation."
From Austria, Chancellor Christian Stocker has called for the "rapid and complete implementation of the memorandum," including the permanent opening of the Strait of Hormuz. "This agreement opens a window for negotiations towards a "more stable and secure" Middle East. In this regard, he has called for a constructive tone to address "Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs."
"It is now important that free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz be quickly re-established," stated Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who stressed that it is a passage "crucial for world trade" and "on which countries like Sweden depend." However, he emphasized that a "long-term" solution to the crisis "must include that Iran is not allowed to acquire nuclear weapons or threaten security in the region and in the West."
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, recalled the victims left by the war in Iran and remarked that the peace agreement must "put an end to this nonsense," be respected by all parties, and "mark the beginning of a new era in the Middle East." "Let us celebrate. But let us not forget. And let us learn once and for all that war is a failure. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only way," he stressed.
The Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, pointed out that the pact "should allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the return to the diplomatic path to address Tehran's nuclear program, and the end of Iranian attacks on neighboring countries." Thus, he insisted that peace and stability "are essential" and that freedom of navigation "should be total and unrestricted."
For his part, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasized that the agreement "is an opportunity that the world must seize to move towards a new era and leave conflicts behind," after recalling that the last decade has been marked by too many wars with global effects.
This Sunday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced an agreement with Iran to immediately lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz imposed by the US military forces, while Tehran confirmed the understanding after stating that it had "forced" Washington to accept its conditions.
The provisional peace agreement was detailed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, who announced that the official signing ceremony will be held on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.