The deal announced by the US and Iran after weeks of diplomatic back and forth holds out hopes of an end to a conflict that has engulfed the Middle East, and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. It is, though, still far from being a permanent settlement. It extends an April 8 ceasefire by 60 days during which many of the thornier issues, including the fate of Iran’s nuclear programme, will be tackled. Spoilers are possible, and the region will remain on edge. Both parties will use the days before Friday’s scheduled signing to spin their versions of the deal. But it is a welcome step that should at least put a lid on Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice.
The reopening of the strait, closed since the US president and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the war, should ease the crisis in global energy supplies. The US will lift its naval blockade. Gulf states, dragged into a war they counselled Trump against when Iran retaliated by targeting US Arab allies, will breathe easier.
Crucially, the weapons are supposed to fall silent on all fronts. The conflict has killed more than 7,000 people. This includes almost 4,000 killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon where Israel and Hizbollah, Iran’s most important proxy, have been battling.