Vatican City, June 17 (ANI): Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday welcomed the peace agreement between Iran and the United States ahead of its signing on Friday, expressing hope that the deal will foster mutual trust, security, and stability in the Middle East.
In a post on X, the Pope described the agreement as the result of “patient work in dialogue and negotiation.”
Extending gratitude to the countries involved in facilitating the deal, the Pope said he hoped it would promote “dialogue and cooperation” among peoples.
“I welcome with satisfaction the reaching of an agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, which will be signed on Friday, as an encouraging result of patient work in dialogue and negotiation. I express my gratitude to the countries that have worked to facilitate a meeting between the parties and to make this agreement possible. I hope that the agreement may help strengthen mutual trust, security, and stability in the Middle East, promoting paths of dialogue and cooperation among peoples,” the post read.
The Pope’s remarks come as US President Donald Trump has injected a note of uncertainty into the ongoing peace process with Iran.
While an agreement in principle has been reached to end months of hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the president signaled on Wednesday that the ceasefire remains conditional and fragile.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the president of Egypt, Trump underscored that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) currently on the table is not a final, binding document. He warned that the United States remains prepared to return to military action if Tehran fails to adhere to the expectations established in the upcoming formal agreement.
When pressed by reporters on the status of the deal, Trump was explicit about the fragility of the current peace.
“It’s not final,” the president said. “It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting them, dropping bombs on their heads.”
The president’s remarks underscored a “trust but verify” approach that has defined his administration’s latest diplomatic push.
“If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head. Okay? ‘Cause they’ve misbehaved for 47 years,” he added.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance outlined the core three-pillar framework governing the proposed peace treaty during an interview with Fox News.
“The agreement is actually very simple. One, Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. Two, the Straits of Hormuz are open. And number three, there are all of these benefits contemplated that the Iranians can get if they behave,” Vance said.
Preliminary details of the agreement are also beginning to emerge ahead of the US-Iran memorandum signing ceremony, which is now less than 48 hours away and is scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday.
The proposed framework encompasses a series of high-stakes diplomatic measures.
A report broadcast by Fox News said the measures include the reopening of the strategic waterway, the formal termination of the American blockade, and the initiation of a crucial 60-day negotiation period regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
The roadmap also includes substantial sanctions relief alongside a structured ceasefire agreement involving Israel and Hezbollah.
Commenting on the rapidly evolving diplomatic developments, the Fox News report said that President Trump intends to move decisively against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure while simultaneously pointing to the “60-day window for negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.” (ANI)
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