Pakistan, June 15 -- The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary framework agreement aimed at ending months of conflict, restoring maritime trade routes, and reducing tensions across the Middle East. The memorandum of understanding is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday, while both sides have agreed to begin implementing key measures immediately. Pakistan played a major mediation role in the negotiations, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing that the breakthrough had been achieved after intensive diplomatic efforts.

Under the framework, military operations are set to end permanently across all fronts, including Lebanon, where ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah had complicated negotiations....