Speaking at the close of the G7 summit in Evian, France, President Donald Trump announced that a landmark accord with Iran to end the Middle East war could be signed as early as Thursday or Friday, injecting fresh uncertainty into the diplomatic timetable. The deal, which Trump said was reached on Sunday, had been expected to be formalised on Friday in Lucerne, Switzerland, with Vice President JD Vance representing Washington. However, Trump's remarks suggested the signing could be brought forward, and reports from European diplomatic circles indicate that mediators are weighing a remote electronic signature to accelerate the entry into force of provisions governing the Strait of Hormuz.

Viewed from Tehran, the agreement represents a critical pathway out of a conflict that began on 28 February and has severely constrained Iranian oil exports. Trump confirmed that Iran has agreed not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons, and that technical discussions on the country's enriched uranium stockpile would commence immediately. In a pointed contrast with his predecessor, Trump described Barack Obama's nuclear deal as "one of the stupidest I've ever seen, a pathway to a nuclear weapon," while characterising his own memorandum as "a wall against a nuclear weapon that they will never have." The president added that Washington would "take" Iran's enriched uranium, even if it was deemed "of no value," signalling a likely dismantlement or transfer process.

Regional perspectives underscore the accord's immediate practical effects. Maritime monitoring platform TankerTrackers reported that several Iranian tankers had already crossed the US-imposed blockade zone around Iranian ports, a restriction in place for roughly two months. This resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies, has been a central demand of Gulf states and Asian energy importers. Meanwhile, Trump confirmed that a copy of the draft agreement had been sent to Israel, whose prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vocal critic of any deal with Tehran. Analysts in London suggest the notification was designed to pre-empt Israeli opposition, though the substance of Netanyahu's response remains unclear.

Trump tempered his optimism with characteristic bluntness, telling reporters he was prepared to "bomb the hell" out of Iran if the terms were violated. "If they are not behaving, they will be hit again," he said, underscoring the coercive underpinnings of the diplomatic breakthrough. Yet he also struck a conciliatory note, expressing hope that the accord would serve as a foundation for broader peace across the Middle East, a region convulsed by the conflict that erupted in late February.

From European capitals, the accelerated timeline is viewed with a mixture of relief and wariness. Swiss officials had prepared for a high-profile signing ceremony in Lucerne, but the potential shift to a remote electronic signature—reportedly to activate Hormuz-related clauses sooner—reflects the operational urgency driving the process. Analysts in London note that while the deal's nuclear provisions appear robust, its durability will depend on verification mechanisms and the willingness of both sides to sustain de-escalation. The reopening of Iranian shipping lanes, confirmed by TankerTrackers, offers an immediate economic dividend, yet the shadow of Trump's threat to resume bombing hangs heavily over the accord's long-term credibility.