GCC says US-Iran MOU could lead to lasting regional accord

UN human rights chief Volker Turk welcomed on Monday the announcement that the United States and Iran had agreed on an MOU, urging all sides to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement it.

Turk said he hoped the agreement would bring relief to Lebanese people, and called for an immediate end to hostilities in Lebanon and Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

“I welcome the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed on a peace deal that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further negotiations,” he said. “At this fragile moment it is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached quickly and in good faith."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed on Monday the agreement between the United States and Iran, calling it a major step toward ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“I congratulate President Trump and the mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and elsewhere who have contributed to this breakthrough,” he said in a statement.

Starmer said the memorandum of understanding should be fully implemented to keep the strait “fully and permanently open” while the details of the nuclear agreement are finalized.

He said toll-free freedom of navigation must be restored in the Strait of Hormuz to ease economic pressure felt for months in Britain and around the world.

Starmer said any lasting peace would require commitments on Iran’s nuclear program to be robust, verifiable and fully implemented, adding that Britain’s position remained that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.

Starmer told a press conference later that, "Obviously, nothing is guaranteed, but it is, I think, a significant breakthrough, a very significant breakthrough. Hopefully, something which as we work together we can turn into that enduring peace that we all want to see.”

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Monday the agreement between the United States and Iran to end military operations and begin detailed negotiations over 60 days toward a permanent agreement.

The Saudi foreign ministry also praised mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said on Monday that US President Donald Trump’s agreement with Iran did not bind Israel.

“Trump’s agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subordinate to the United States. We are an independent and sovereign country,” he said.

He added that Israel was not party to the agreement and argued that it did not safeguard the country’s security.

“We are not partners to this agreement, which does not safeguard our security. We must not withdraw from any territory [in Lebanon] that our fighters have captured,” he said.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that Iran must no longer pose a threat, adding that European engagement in Operation Aspides, the EU’s military operation in response to Iran-backed Houthi engagements with international shipping, could be strengthened.

Wadephul said the Strait of Hormuz must be made navigable again without any restrictions after the US-Iran agreement.

"It must be made clear that the Strait of Hormuz is once again open to shipping, without any restrictions whatsoever and without any possibility of levying customs duties or similar charges," Wadephul said before meeting with European counterparts in Luxembourg.