US-Iran Memorandum Agreement Wins Broad International Backing Amid Hopes for Regional Stability
World leaders and international organizations have welcomed the announcement of an agreement on a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, describing it as a significant diplomatic breakthrough aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and strengthening international stability.The agreement follows complex, multi-party diplomatic efforts in which Qatar played a supportive role, alongside several regional and international mediators. The development has been widely viewed as a positive step towards de-escalation, with potential implications for energy security, maritime trade routes and the global economy.Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, thanked both Washington and Tehran for their commitment to a diplomatic solution and praised Qatar's leadership for its mediation efforts.In a post on X, Sharif said a formal peace agreement between the United States and Iran would be signed during an official ceremony in Switzerland on Friday. He added that mediators would facilitate a series of meetings this week, with preliminary discussions expected to pave the way for technical negotiations.Australia also welcomed the agreement, commending the efforts of Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and other mediating countries that helped bring about the understanding.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that restraint and constructive engagement were essential to preventing further escalation and securing a lasting settlement. He expressed satisfaction with progress towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz, describing the waterway as vital to global trade and energy markets.Albanese acknowledged that a full recovery of maritime operations would take time but stressed that restoring access to the strategic shipping route was crucial for easing pressure on energy prices and supporting the global economy.He called on all parties to seize the opportunity to pursue lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy, while also addressing concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear program.Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, described the announcement as an important step towards containing tensions. Writing on X, she said the agreement reflected sustained diplomatic efforts by the countries involved and praised the role of mediators in facilitating the process.Takaichi expressed hope that a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program and other outstanding issues could be reached soon, while ensuring freedom and security of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the accord, calling it the result of a diplomatic effort involving multiple international partners.In a post on X, Macron urged the swift and full implementation of the agreement, saying it should enable the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without conditions.He added that an international mission, working in coordination with the United Kingdom, stood ready to support the process and ensure the necessary resources were available.Macron stressed that the unrestricted resumption of maritime traffic was essential for maintaining regional stability and protecting the global economy.The French president said the agreement could open the door to a broader negotiating process aimed at promoting peace and security across the Middle East.The announcement has prompted widespread international support, with many governments viewing it as a rare opportunity to reduce regional tensions and advance diplomatic solutions to long-standing disputes. For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the agreement between the United States and Iran needs to lead to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.Von der Leyen said, in remarks, that the priority now is swift and full implementation by all parties, noting that restoring free navigation is essential for regional stability as well as the global economy, as it opens the door to broader negotiations on peace and security in the Middle East. In this context, she called on all parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing the need for a genuine ceasefire. She reiterated Europe's support for stability and de-escalation in the region.New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters described the agreement as "pivotal and constructive," considering it an important step towards reducing tensions and promoting stability in a region of vital importance to global economic security.As for Arab reactions, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran to end military operations and begin detailed negotiations within 60 days, with the aim of reaching a permanent agreement. It called for a lasting settlement that takes into account the security interests of the countries in the region.In a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom commended the mediation efforts undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State of Qatar, and the positive response of the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to these efforts, which led to this agreement. Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of restoring security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its state prior to February 28. It also expressed its aspiration to achieve peace that would enhance regional and global security through a lasting agreement that takes into account the security interests of the region's countries and adheres to the principle of respecting the internal affairs of states. In turn, the State of Kuwait welcomed the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which stipulates an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations and guarantees freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Kuwaiti foreign ministry commended the role played by Pakistan and the State of Qatar, along with other brotherly and friendly nations, which contributed to bridging the gaps and creating the conditions for reaching this important understanding.Kuwait reiterated its support for all efforts aimed at resolving disputes and conflicts peacefully, in accordance with the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.It expressed its hope that this understanding would constitute an important step towards broader approaches to addressing outstanding issues through sustainable solutions that would consolidate the principles of good neighborliness, foremost among them mutual respect, confidence-building, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, non-use of force or the threat of force, and cessation of support for proxies. This would contribute to establishing the foundations of regional and international security and stability and ensure the continued freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.In light of the announced agreement, the United Arab Emirates emphasized the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy and adhering to international law to enhance security and stability in the region.A statement issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the importance of full commitment to the agreement's provisions, ensuring an immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities in the region, respect for the sovereignty of states and the principles of good neighborliness, strict adherence to international law, and the protection of maritime routes and freedom of international navigation, including guaranteeing the smooth flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.The Ministry commended the US diplomatic efforts that contributed to reaching this understanding, as well as the contributions of the countries and parties involved in creating the conducive conditions for this agreement. The statement called for continued progress in negotiations to build upon this progress and achieve sustainable results. It affirmed that the UAE supports all efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability and consolidating the approach of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional and international crises, in a way that serves the interests of the region's peoples and enhances opportunities for development and prosperity. In the same vein, Egypt considered the agreement a highly significant development that would restore security and stability at both the regional and international levels.The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement today, expressed its hope that this agreement would constitute a major turning point towards strengthening mutual trust, establishing new foundations for cooperation, creating a supportive environment for peace, and advancing diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing various regional issues, thus positively impacting the security and stability of the Middle East region.The Ministry also reiterated Egypt's firm stance in support of peaceful solutions and the settlement of disputes through diplomatic means, noting that resolving differences through dialogue and negotiation is a fundamental approach to achieving peace and consolidating stability, in accordance with the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun praised the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and its emphasis on halting military actions and de-escalation in the region, including in Lebanon.In a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun noted the memorandum's respect for Lebanese sovereignty and its recognition that Lebanon's stability and security are integral to any serious effort to consolidate stability in the region.He expressed his gratitude to all the countries and entities that contributed to the completion of this memorandum, and to everyone who worked to include Lebanon in the efforts aimed at ending the escalation and halting military operations on all fronts.Jordan also welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran to end military operations and begin detailed negotiations to reach a permanent agreement, considering it "an important step towards restoring regional and international security and stability."In a statement issued today, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Jordan's appreciation for the efforts exerted by the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the brotherly State of Qatar, and other brotherly and friendly countries to reach the agreement, and for the positive response of the United States and Iran to these efforts.The Ministry emphasized the importance of reaching a permanent agreement that consolidates security and stability in the region, takes into account the security interests of the region's countries, adheres to the principles of good neighborliness, respects the sovereignty of states, refrains from interfering in their internal affairs, and restores security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.In this context, the League of Arab States welcomed the announcement of the agreement, expressing its hope that this development would constitute a significant step towards definitively ending Iranian and Israeli aggression against Arab territories.A statement issued by the League commended the diplomatic efforts exerted by various Arab, regional, and international parties to reach this agreement, calling on all parties involved to approach the upcoming phase of negotiations on critical issues with a positive spirit and to strive for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.The statement emphasized that any final agreement reached must respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Arab states and take into account legitimate Arab demands for achieving security in the region. It also warned against Israel's continued attempts to undermine the agreement and perpetuate a state of perpetual war.For its part, the Arab Parliament welcomed the agreement on the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, commending the efforts of the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as well as all Arab and international efforts that contributed to bridging the gaps and supporting the diplomatic endeavors that led to this agreement.