World leaders react to the signing of the US-Iran agreement

After the official signing of the 14-point agreement between the United States and Iran, world leaders welcomed the diplomatic efforts.

A physical version of the memorandum of understanding was signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday (17) and, according to Iranian and Pakistani officials, took effect immediately.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the so-called "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" determines as initial measures the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and the beginning of the end of the naval blockade imposed by the United States.

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French President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted President Donald Trump for dinner during the G7 Summit, said the agreement "paves the way for lasting peace" and will lead to a fall in energy prices.

China's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also welcomed the US-Iran deal, saying in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart that "the dawn of peace has arrived", according to Chinese state media.

Pakistan, which has played a mediating role in negotiations between Washington and Tehran, also endorsed the deal, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"The signing of this agreement at the highest level of the respective governments demonstrates the commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict," he said.

The Secretary-General of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), Mark Rutte, said he "welcomes" the memorandum. The document will "reduce" Iran's nuclear capabilities and "restore freedom of navigation", Rutte said on Thursday.

Several Democratic US senators have criticized the deal, saying it is a good deal for Iran but not for the United States.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the deal "will go down as one of the greatest American disasters, and that's because Trump started this war," adding, "he didn't know how to end it."

In statements to the press on Capitol Hill, Senator Elizabeth Warren: "I understand how the Iranians benefit from this memorandum of understanding, but I certainly don't see how it helps a single American family."

And California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said: "This appears to be a great deal for Iran and a terrible deal" for the US. "It's a deal to reach agreement on future issues, but with little incentive for Iran to actually agree to those terms."

Trump signs printed version of US agreement with Iran | CNN PRIME TIME

Source: CNN