In Dubai, the United States and Iran have reached an initial agreement on Monday, aiming to extend a fragile cease-fire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning Israel’s continued offensive in Lebanon.

The agreement details have not yet been disclosed. Its implementation is expected after its signing, set for Friday in Geneva, according to key mediator Pakistan. Until then, shipping is likely to remain restricted in the strait, a crucial passage for global oil and gas. The closure has already led to a worldwide energy crisis.

On Monday, Israel’s Defense Minister stated that the country will not withdraw from occupied lands in Lebanon, where it is currently combating Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran. Although the U.S. and Israel initiated the conflict on February 28, Israel is not part of the agreement. A spokesperson from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office affirmed that Israel would continue to defend itself against any security threats. This stance could potentially derail the agreement, as Iran insists that ending the conflict in Lebanon must be part of any settlement.

The agreement must also tackle other key issues. It outlines a 60-day period to address Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and its nuclear program. Concerns exist that these could be weaponized, though Tehran insists its program is peaceful. This is a complicated issue, previously resolved only after years of negotiation in the 2015 nuclear deal, which was abandoned by President Donald Trump in his first term.

Despite uncertainties, leaders across Europe and China welcomed the agreement, hoping it will end a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives across the Middle East. It has also sharply increased prices for fuel, food, and other essential goods beyond the region. Nonetheless, there is skepticism about the agreement’s completion, as noted by Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister, Xavier Bettel, who stated, “There’s a long way to go before Friday.”

Until the agreement is signed, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. President Trump, under pressure to end the conflict before the midterm elections in November, announced the agreement and expressed his authorization for opening the strait and lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. However, he clarified that the strait would not open until Friday.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the agreement on state television, emphasizing that Iran would not begin implementing it until signing. Initially, the war caused Iranian attacks on ships, which nearly halted traffic in the vital waterway. Trump’s response with a blockade exacerbated the situation, affecting one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passage previously, which led to a spike in fuel prices with global economic consequences. Experts suggest it will take months for the energy companies to resume operations to meet global demand.

This week, U.S. and Iranian officials will hold preparatory meetings in Doha, Qatar, ahead of the signing, according to a diplomat familiar with the private discussions.

The agreement’s success partially hinges on developments between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. A recent Israeli bombing in southern Beirut nearly disrupted negotiations, with subsequent exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Israel plans to remain indefinitely in territories it controls in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. He also warned that if Iran retaliates against Israeli actions in Lebanon, Israel would respond with significant force. In the last two and a half years, Israel has gained control over areas totaling 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

Responding to inquiries about Israel’s stance on the agreement, David Mencer, a spokesperson for Netanyahu’s office, confirmed that Israel and the U.S. remain aligned in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He added that Israel would not tolerate Hezbollah attacks on its territory and would act against any threats to its citizens. Hezbollah has yet to comment on the agreement.

Reporters contributed to this article from Athens, Jerusalem, Washington, Beirut, Doha, and Tel Aviv.

This story is a translation from an English version by an AP editor, assisted by a generative AI tool.