United News of Bangladesh

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations have voiced support for US President Donald Trump’s proposed agreement with Iran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and extending a fragile ceasefire, although details of the deal remain largely undisclosed. In a joint declaration issued at the summit in France, G7 leaders described the proposed agreement as a “historic opportunity” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and address concerns related to its regional influence and ballistic missile programme. The leaders pledged support for implementing the agreement, despite the fact that neither Washington nor Tehran has officially released the text. According to leaked versions of the interim accord, Iran would immediately move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the deal is signed and would be permitted to resume unrestricted oil exports. The agreement is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday. The proposed framework also envisions the United States working toward lifting American and United Nations sanctions on Iran if a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme is reached. Speaking on the sidelines of the summit during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, Trump said the agreement remained confidential but described it as a strong memorandum of understanding. “Nobody knows what it is but it’s very strong,” Trump told reporters, adding that the United States could abandon the deal if it proves unsatisfactory. While backing the initiative, G7 leaders acknowledged the importance of restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of globally traded oil and natural gas passed before the conflict began. The summit declaration said a maritime mission led by France and the United Kingdom could help secure commercial shipping routes, protect merchant vessels and support efforts to clear any remaining threats in the waterway. The proposed agreement also includes an immediate halt to hostilities in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. However, questions remain over Israel’s military presence in parts of southern Lebanon, a point that has generated disagreement between Tehran and Tel Aviv. G7 leaders expressed support for efforts to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty and implement a robust ceasefire while advancing the disarmament of Hezbollah. Trump also criticised the prolonged fighting in Lebanon, saying too many lives had been lost during the conflict. The final day of the summit focused on economic growth, artificial intelligence and concerns over global trade, with leaders from India, South Korea, Kenya and Brazil also participating in discussions.