Deal Reached With Iran, Trump Authorizes End of Hormuz Blockade

The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early Monday that would extend their shaky ceasefire and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but challenges immediately loomed, including Israel insisting it would hold onto land seized in Lebanon as it battles Hezbollah.

Details of the deal, which would potentially allow desperately needed oil and natural gas to reach the global market through the critical waterway, were not immediately released. Iran signaled implementation would not start until the signing, which key mediator Pakistan said would take place Friday in Switzerland.

But the memorandum of understanding over the war already faced hurdles. Israel’s continued hostilities with the Iranian-backed terrorists Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israel bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs Sunday, nearly derailed the negotiations. Israel joined the U.S. in launching the war on Feb. 28.

 

In the first official Israeli comments after the announcement of the deal, Defense Minister Israel Katz 

 

said Israel won’t withdraw from land seized in Lebanon as the interim deal is pending. Katz said Israel plans to stay “indefinitely” in lands it holds in Lebanon, as well as Syria and the Gaza Strip. Iran has tied the interim deal over the war to halting Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Katz also threatened that if Iran attacks Israel over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israel will strike Iran with “great force.”

Over the past 2 1/2 years, Israel has taken control of areas in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria amounting to 386 square miles of territory — an area that is slightly smaller than New York City.

Meanwhile, the deal between the U.S. and Iran gives just 60 days to resolve what to do about Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its atomic program. That took years to resolve in Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

 

President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from that accord in his first term, setting the stage for the tensions that culminated in the war.

“Congratulations to all!” Trump wrote on social media as he celebrated his 80th birthday Sunday with a UFC cage match fight at the White House.

He added, “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” which was imposed in retaliation for Iran’s grip on the crucial waterway.

He soon hedged, however, saying the strait wouldn’t open until Friday’s signing.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, 

 

confirmed the agreement on state television but said Iran would not start implementing it until it was signed Friday. He said the deal followed talks with Qatar, another mediator.

Leaders from China to Europe welcomed the announcement. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has roiled international markets and sent prices of fuel and other essential goods, including food, spiraling.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China “hopes the U.S. and Iran will sign the initial memorandum of understanding as scheduled.” Beijing hopes that safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be restored as soon as possible, he added.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot welcomed the agreement "that should bring an end to hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” He said that “all parties to the conflict must respect this agreement.”

Barrot said “for far too long” the war in Iran has driven prices of fuel and fertilizer painfully high. With the ceasefire, he said dozens of nations like France and the United Kingdom could send ships to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The European Union’s top diplomat pledged support for further negotiations over outstanding issues like Iran’s nuclear program.

“Fingers crossed that they will be also initialized on Friday, because everybody needs the Strait of Hormuz to be open and actually this war to stop,” Kaja Kallas, foreign policy chief of the 27-nation EU, said ahead of a gathering of foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.

But some of the ministers, like Luxembourg's Xavier Bettel, expressed skepticism. “It’s a long time till Friday,” he said.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the breakthrough and said it was vital that all parties in the region seize the opportunity to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We will now work closely with our partners to support this agreement and to ensure that it turns into a durable, lasting peace,’’ he said.

Pakistan first announced the deal, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying “both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” He added that mediators this week will facilitate meetings to “lay the foundation for the technical talks.”

Broader negotiations on outstanding issues like Iran’s nuclear program would continue over the next 60 days, two senior Pakistani officials said earlier Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. If the sides fail to reach a resolution within that time, the timeline could be extended.

Iranian state television cited the secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council as saying the war on all fronts “will end immediately and permanently beginning tonight” — and that the U.S. blockade “will be terminated immediately and in full.”

Qatari mediators later left Tehran following 17 hours of negotiations, said an official briefed on the developments who spoke on condition of anonymity due to sensitivity of the talks. Separate preparatory meetings with each side will take place in Doha this week, the official said.

It was not clear who from Iran would sign the deal on Friday. U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News the White House was still figuring out who would attend: “I certainly plan to be there, but it’s possible the president himself could be there.”

But concern among Republicans in the U.S. already could be seen. They included U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who described Vance as “the architect of the deal.”

“I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming,” Graham wrote online. <

 

UFC Releases Teddy Roosevelt AI Ad Ahead of White House Event - and It Completely Nails the Moment

The Sunday Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event at the White House has already been pretty epic, and the festivities are just getting started. 

As RedState reported, the leftist fools who attempted to sue in order to stop it were thrown to the floor and defeated, which pretty much reflects the heart of this event: to dare greatly, and to enter the fight with the aim of winning.

UFC telegraphed this in an ad released a day before the South lawn brouhaha. The AI-generated video was a gauntlet thrown down, featuring not UFC champions, but Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. Like President Donald Trump, Roosevelt was a very active and physically present commander-in-chief. Roosevelt was also one of our most physically fit presidents, so he is a perfect symbol of what the UFC seeks to accomplish with these games. 

For those thinking, "What does Theodore Roosevelt have to do with UFC?" here's a bit of a history lesson on one of my favorite presidents. 

While Roosevelt's passion for sparring and contests didn't translate to an entire spectacle on the South lawn, Roosevelt did bring sport to the White House, much to the chagrin of the elitists of his day. 

Sounds familiar.

According to historians, the president took every opportunity at the White House to box, wrestle, and train in mixed-martial arts, specifically Judo. Apparently, he challenged anyone to a grapple, even a foreign head of state.

Once he was in the White House, though, Roosevelt was back to doing whatever he wanted athletically, proving that wrestling, boxing, and judo were all proper Presidential amusement. “Roosevelt wasn’t exactly shy about his hobby,” Jenny Drapkin write in Theodore Roosevelt: Mojo in the Dojo for Mental Floss. He lined the White House basement with training mats, and he practiced with anyone who was willing to tussle—including his wife and sister-in-law. Once, he even brightened a boring state luncheon by throwing the Swiss minister to the floor and demonstrating a judo hold, to the delight of his guests.”

Very Trumpian, and since President Donald Trump is the president who has not only reinstituted the Presidential Fitness Test, but cheerleads HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make Americans Healthy Again (MAHA) focus, I believe Trump would have wholeheartedly approved of Roosevelt and his methods. Both presidents are also similar in this: They boldly enacted change and innovated in ways that had not been seen before in the role of the President of the United States.

In other words, Trump and Theodore shook things up and raised hackles, fully understanding that it was needed for their moment in time.

WATCH:

---

Read More: THE ESSEX FILES: Why a UFC Octagon on the White House Lawn Is the Ultimate Symbol of American Merit

Let the Games Begin! Federal Judge Says 'Nope' to Plaintiffs' UFC Injunction Demand

---

When Roosevelt was governor of New York, he gave an 1899 speech titled "The Strenuous Life." In the speech, Roosevelt opined:

I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph. We admire the man who embodies victorious effort; the man who never wrongs his neighbor, who is prompt to help a friend, but who has those virile qualities necessary to win in the stern strife of actual life. 

It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. In this life we get nothing save by effort. Freedom from effort in the present merely means that there has been stored up effort in the past.

It is because of the strenuous life and the sacrifice of rough and ready men that we can enjoy the brazen, daring, and fearless representations of American prowess, power, and grit on the White House lawn. 

UFC gets it. Now we get a chance as well.  

WAKE UP! IT'S FIGHT NIGHT. 🇺🇸🥊 pic.twitter.com/hJyQPWz5fr

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 14, 2026

 

Commie Mayor Cashes In: Mamdani’s Free Luxury World Cup Ride Exposed

The hypocrisy is thick with these two. As it often is with the communists and socialists running amok in the Democrat party.

Self-proclaimed democratic socialist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani—who just scored himself free, exclusive, high-value tickets to multiple World Cup matches—was caught lounging in a luxury suite alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) at the Brazil vs. Morocco opener.

 

Judging by the photos posted on social media, the dynamic duo is enjoying some champagne-adjacent perks as they sit aloft in the high-priced boxes. Looking down on the plebeians below.

Proving once again that for these so-called champions of the working class, socialism is strictly for the little people while they feast on capitalist VIP access paid for by somebody else.

The irony.

---

READ MORE: Mamdani’s ‘Happy Tax Day’ Video Backfires Big Time Thanks to His Family’s Massive Uganda Compound

Not in My County: Defiant Upstate Exec Vows to Rebel Against Hochul’s Newly Passed Radical Anti-ICE Law

---

According to a New York Post exposé, Mamdani’s office confirmed he received the premium tickets to the game for free as part of a vague “contractual obligation” with the World Cup Host Committee.

His team insisted that any and all appearances at World Cup games are in the mayor's “official capacity” and that there’s “no gift here.”

Nothing to see here, as Leslie Nielsen might say.

“It would be unprecedented for host city leadership, particularly a mayor with such international recognition, to not participate in World Cup matches,” Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec told the outlet.

Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, was also in attendance, though social media images failed to capture her husband cozying up to her as much as he was with Hochul. Duwaji also had to pay for her ticket, which reportedly came in at nearly $2,000. The indignity. Rama has to scrimp and save for the big game while Hizzoner is cavorting with his Communist muse in the luxury box.

 

Commies in the luxury box, feasting on capitalism. The irony writes itself. https://t.co/N1hCp9965A

— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) June 14, 2026

Gosh, that photo says so much, doesn't it? You've got the silver-spoon socialist and the Oregon State mascot grinning ear-to-ear as they're living it up, not a cogent thought to be found in either head. Both are clearly racking up elite perks they'd surely denounce for anyone else.

Pekec refused to elaborate on exactly how many of the eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches scheduled for MetLife Stadium the mayor plans to attend in his luxurious “official capacity.” One is left wondering just how many free VIP outings the socialist mayor has lined up on someone else's dime.

Mamdani was also caught flexing his clout earlier this week to score exclusive seats to Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden — potentially violating city ethics rules in the process, according to The Post.

The Knicks went on to win the NBA Championship. Brazil and Morocco, as most soccer games do, ended in a 1-1 snoozefest. And the Mayor continues to score off his popularity with Democrat voters in the liberal cesspool of NYC. They practically throw themselves at him.

Mamdani is the quintessential champagne socialist: he talks like a revolutionary but lives like the elite he claims to despise.

 

Well, This Moment at the UFC Freedom 250 Event Is Going to Cause Libs to Melt Down

I’ll watch UFC events, but I don’t follow them closely. Still, this one was pretty wild. As part of the America 250 celebrations, the Trump White House hosted the event over the weekend, with flyovers and a swipe at Michelle Obama that will surely send liberals into a meltdown. Actually, no, that’s not quite right: the whole event seemed to make the Left lose their minds. A left-winger in Virginia tried to sue to block the event, citing supposed aesthetic concerns, or whatever, that would harm her. Of course, the effort got shot down.

But it was what UFC fighter Josh Hokit said that will likely cause liberals to vent tomorrow: he called Michelle a man (via Hollywood Reporter):

Josh Hokit won his bout at the UFC Freedom 250 event on Sunday night and then surprised the crowd with a shocking statement.

Hokit fought fellow heavyweight Derrick Lewis in the event, held on the White House lawn, and won. After the match, he gave an interview to Joe Rogan.

At the end of the interview, he said: “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”

In videos posted online, some in the crowd could be heard laughing while others seemed to be surprised by the comments.

Rogan did not address the comments, saying only: “Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit.”

 

This has been a social media conspiracy for years, with some people explaining it in detail. We don’t get involved, but sorry, it’s funny. Also, for the leftists complaining about the security at the UFC fight, President Trump was there. Of course, there will be security—this man has been the target of multiple assassination attempts by you people. 

The Athletic had the rundown of the fights’ winners and losers here:

Justin Gaethje produced a stunning upset victory over Ilia Topuria in front of President Trump on Sunday night, in the headline bout of the UFC’s highly controversial event at the White House.

Trump sat cageside throughout the evening, which went ahead as planned after a judge rejected a federal lawsuit alleging the event would break the law.

Each of the seven fights ended in a stoppage, with Gaethje claiming the UFC lightweight title after his brutal victory over the previously undefeated Topuria.

Results:

• Gaethje def. Topuria via R4 TKO
• Gane def. Pereira via R2 TKO
• O’Malley def. Zahabi via R2 TKO
• Rokit def. Lewis via R2 TKO
• Ruffy def. Chandler via R1 TKO
• Nickal def. Daukaus via R1 TKO
• Lopes def. Garcia by R2 KO

What an event.

 

Karmelo Anthony Files an Appeal, but There's a Big Problem

Karmelo Anthony has been convicted of murder for the deadly stabbing of Austin Metcalf, 17, which happened at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in 2025. The case drew national attention because Anthony is black and Metcalf is white. Some of the reactions were extreme, though not everyone shared that view, as we often see from liberals regarding anything Trump does. Several black commentators rightfully pointed out that Anthony murdered the kid and received what he deserved in court. He was sentenced to 35 years, with the possibility of parole after 17. He has filed an appeal, but there’s a problem: he has no money for a lawyer (via NY Post):

Convicted killer Karmelo Anthony has claimed he’s “penniless” and can’t afford a lawyer for his appeal — despite his family collecting $625,000 in crowdfunding for his legal defense and “living expenses,” according to a report.

 

Anthony, 19, made the assertion in a notice of appeal filed after he was found guilty of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years behind bars, according to a report by ABC WFAA.

Anthony — who was moved to a Texas state prison Wednesday — is “penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel to represent me on the appeal,” reads the appeal form.

Anthony’s defense attorney, Mike Howard,

 

said the defense has “several important issues for the appellate courts to consider. An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American.”

The GiveSendGo fundraising page that collected over a million dollars for Anthony’s family was shut down not long after his conviction. Jury selection is reportedly one of the areas that will be included in the appeal (via CBS News):

Dallas appellate attorney David Coale, who was not involved in the case, said the strongest issues on appeal may have little to do with the evidence jurors heard and more to do with whether the trial was conducted properly.

 

"The first is, are we in the right county or should we be in Collin County?" Coale said. "Then we go to the race issue because before we even start the trial, we've got to have a jury. Did we do that right? And then once we got the trial going and heard all the evidence, did we tell the jury what to do correctly?"

Coale said one issue likely to resurface is the defense's claim that Black jurors were improperly removed from the panel during jury selection, potentially violating what's known as Batson law, which prohibits attorneys from excluding jurors solely because of race.

"And the argument is, it's not so much that the jury pool is all white," Coale said. "The problem is when the jurors were struck ... the Anthony argument is that the prosecution used it to get rid of the black jurors.

Well, first, the jury was not all-white. And second, this appeal should be crushed immediately. 

 

Vance, senior admin. officials wish Trump a happy birthday

 

US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance salute during the National Memorial Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheatre in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on May 25, 2026

A number of administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, took to social media to wish President Donald Trump a happy birthday.

“Happy Birthday to the GOAT. Looking forward to celebrating later today at the UFC fight!” Vance posted to X on Sunday, referencing the historic UFC Freedom 250 event being held on the White House grounds.

The vice president was not the only senior official to recognize the president’s birthday, as many Cabinet members offered their best wishes for the day.

 

 

“Happy birthday to the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF DONALD J. TRUMP,” said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

“Happy Birthday, Mr. President! Your unwavering leadership, courage, and commitment to the American people have inspired a renewed focus on the health and well-being of our nation,” wrote Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

 

“It is a privilege to serve in your Cabinet as we work together to Make America Healthy Again and build a stronger, healthier future for every American. Wishing you a wonderful birthday and another year of strength, success, and service to our great nation,” he continued.

Wishing Trump a “Happy birthday,” the United States Department of State posted a video featuring a younger Trump giving his opinions on the presidential office during an old interview.

 

“That one man could turn this country around. That one proper president could turn this country around. I firmly believe that,” Trump had said.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas) also sent the commander-in-chief well wishes, calling him the Lone Star State’s “favorite President.”

 

“Happy Birthday to President Trump – Texas’ favorite President,” Abbott said. “Texas backs Trump and Trump backs Texas, to the border and beyond.”

Beyond political figures, those with a strong personal relationship with the president also recognized the day.

“Happy birthday Dad! Love you!” said Ivanka Trump, the president’s oldest daughter.

Singer Lee Greenwood, known for the iconic song “God Bless the U.S.A.,” also wished the commander-in-chief, whom he called a friend, a happy birthday.

“Happy Birthday, Mr. President! It is an honor to call you a friend. Thank you for your leadership, your courage, and your love for America,” the award-winning country artist said.

“Wishing you a wonderful birthday. Looking forward to seeing you today at UFC Freedom 250!” he continued.

Overseas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to social media as well to recognize the day, emphasizing not only the president’s birthday, but also the upcoming anniversary of American independence.  

“Happy birthday Donald. This year your birthday comes at an auspicious time. America celebrates 250 years of freedom – a great nation built on liberty and faith,” the prime minister said.

“I wish you continued strength and vigor as you lead America towards a bright future of peace through strength, and as we continue to bring the U.S.-Israel alliance to ever greater heights,” he continued.

June 14^th is packed full, featuring not only the president’s birthday and the massive UFC Freedom 250 Main Card event, but it also celebrates Flag Day, the adoption of the “Stars and Stripes” as the nation’s flag.

State Dept Busts Global Birth Tourism Rings, Trump and Rubio Praised

 

 

The State Department this week said it has unearthed and moved to dismantle organised “birth tourism” networks in West Africa, Europe and North Africa — and has revoked hundreds of visitor visas tied to those schemes. That is welcome news: our visa rules are meant to protect the integrity of U.S. travel and citizenship, and the State Department’s action shows enforcement can work when officials actually use the tools on the books.

What the State Department publicly announced

In a series of social posts, the State Department described coordinated embassy investigations that used data analytics, cross‑referencing and local law‑enforcement cooperation to find people and companies arranging travel strictly to give birth on American soil. The department said consular officers revoked visas, shut down operations and permanently banned several fraudsters from U.S. travel. “A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the posts said — a line worth repeating until it sinks in across the world.

How the networks operated and the scale of the problem

Officials described several patterns: in West Africa a “sophisticated” network of just over 100 foreign nationals allegedly used fraudulent documents and visa “fixers;” in Europe more than 400 suspected cases since 2024 were traced to at least six companies that coached applicants, arranged U.S. housing and set up delivery plans; and a North African mission revoked more than 100 visas tied to similar schemes. The State Department did not give a single global total or name all countries involved, but multiple embassies reported administrative visa cancellations and travel bans tied to suspected birth tourism.

Policy context: rules, limits and why enforcement matters

Consular officers have had discretionary authority since 2020 to deny or revoke B‑1/B‑2 visas when travel appears to be primarily for childbirth. That guidance exists for a reason: a small number of organised operators have been profiting from loopholes and coaching clients how to answer visa interview questions. The overall share of U.S. births tied to birth tourism is tiny, but fraud and organised facilitation are what officials targeted — and they should be targeted. Congressional committees have been asking questions about businesses that profit from this trade, and criminal referrals should follow when fraud is clear.

This crackdown is the kind of action conservatives have been calling for: enforce existing law, use consular discretion, and stop businesses that treat U.S. citizenship like a product to be bought. President Donald Trump’s administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio deserve credit for directing resources to these embassy investigations. Still, words are cheap. The public needs transparent totals, named targets where appropriate, and — most importantly — prosecutions when laws were broken. If Washington is serious about securing our immigration and citizenship rules, this should be the start, not the end, of enforcement.

Trump Picks Jamie McDonald to Run SDNY Prosecutors

 President Donald Trump announced this weekend that he will nominate James M. “Jamie” McDonald to serve as the next U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. This is the actual news — not a rumor, not a tease — and it follows the domino move that put Jay Clayton up for Director of National Intelligence. The SDNY post is a big one, and Mr. McDonald’s mix of government and private‑sector experience makes this pick worth paying attention to.

Who is James McDonald? The Trump nominee for SDNY explained

Jamie McDonald is a litigation partner at Sullivan & Cromwell who once worked inside the same SDNY office he’s now nominated to lead. He also ran enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts. That resume says two things plainly: he knows Wall Street cases, and he knows how federal enforcement works. For a president who talks about holding elites and bad actors accountable, that’s not a bad shorthand.

Why this U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York pick matters

The Southern District of New York — the so‑called “Sovereign District of New York” — handles the nation’s most consequential financial, corruption, and organized‑crime cases. Whoever sits in that chair sets priorities for Manhattan’s federal prosecutors. McDonald’s CFTC enforcement background suggests a focus on market manipulation, securities and crypto enforcement, and complex financial investigations. Put plainly: if you want to police Wall Street and digital assets, a guy who’s lived that work is a logical choice.

What to watch next: confirmation, politics, and the Senate

This is an announced nomination, not a done deal. McDonald will need a formal submission to the Senate, a Judiciary Committee questionnaire and hearings, and a Senate vote. Expect New York’s senators, the financial bar in Manhattan, and the usual media chorus to weigh in. There’s also political theater to consider — recent fights over administration picks showed that even pro‑Trump choices can hit snags. Republicans should remember that backing a serious, qualified prosecutor helps the rule of law and neutralizes the predictable complaints from coastal elites.

Bottom line: a smart, pragmatic choice — and now the fight begins

On balance, President Trump picked a nominee with the right experience for the job. Jamie McDonald brings government prosecutorial experience, enforcement chops from the CFTC, and big‑firm courtroom savvy. That combination should reassure voters who want law and order and regulators who want teeth. Now comes the test: will the Senate confirm a tough, experienced prosecutor, or will partisan theater delay another key piece of DOJ leadership? Keep an eye on this nomination — it will matter for how Washington handles Wall Street, crypto, and national‑security investigations for years to come.

CartoonDems

 

Trump Say Iran Deal Imminent Though Hurdles Remain

U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end months of fighting between the United States and Iran, but Tehran cast doubt over the timing and hardline protesters in Iran voiced opposition.

Qatari negotiators flew to Tehran on Sunday morning as part of an effort to finalize the agreement, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.

President Donald Trump posted that the deal with ‌Iran was scheduled to be signed on Sunday, his 80th birthday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing, to be followed by technical-level talks in the coming ​week.

But Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking before Trump's post, was quoted by state media as saying on Saturday it would "not be tomorrow" but could happen "in the coming days."

Iran's Fars news agency, citing an informed source, said on Sunday Tehran has not yet taken a final decision on the framework agreement, with reviews of its political, ⁠legal and technical aspects ongoing at expert and decision-making levels.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that, under the terms of the draft deal, the U.S. would agree to release $25 billion of frozen Iranian ​assets, while Tehran would agree not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons.

U.S. FOCUSES ON OPENING STRAIT, CLASHES CONTINUE

Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier that after a framework deal is signed, the Strait of Hormuz, ⁠a vital artery for global oil supplies that Iran has effectively blocked, would immediately be "open to all."

Once the strait reopens, the U.S. would lift its naval blockade, sources on all sides of the talks said. Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program — a rationale Trump has given for the war — would take place afterwards.

While U.S. and Israeli bombings since February 28 have heavily degraded Iran's military-industrial base and damaged its military, experts say the war has entrenched the dominance of Iran's hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

When the U.S. and ‌Israel launched the war, Trump called on Iranians to rise up and take over state institutions.

Even as the U.S. and Iran appeared to be moving toward an agreement over the past few ​days, clashes have continued, ‌as the U.S. military maintains a blockade on Iran and seeks to loosen Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which was the conduit for 20% of the world's oil shipments before the war.

Early on Saturday, U.S. forces shot down multiple Iranian drones heading toward the strait, the U.S. military said.

Israel, which says ‌it is not a party to the U.S.-Iran deal, said on Sunday it had attacked Hezbollah targets in Beirut's southern suburbs after it said the Iranian ally had fired three projectiles at northern Israel.

The exchange highlighted the precarious nature of the negotiations, with Israel saying it will retain freedom of operations in Lebanon while Tehran has made a full ceasefire there an important component of its ⁠demands.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clashed with Trump over U.S. demands that Israel curb military ‌action in Lebanon to allow Washington to reach a deal with Tehran.

 NUCLEAR ⁠NEGOTIATIONS TO COME LATER

At pro-government rallies held across Iran on Saturday night, residents and news agencies reported that hardliners opposed to the framework agreement loudly voiced their dissatisfaction.

A resident in the northeastern city of Mashhad told Reuters that some protesters chanted "Death to the compromiser," in ⁠an apparent reference to ⁠Araqchi. They said: "Compromiser, resign, resign."

Draft terms of the agreement described to Reuters by multiple sources indicate the U.S. would begin releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on its oil exports, in return for Iran opening the strait.

"Iran is going to open up the Strait ‌of Hormuz, that's a requirement. It could be open with no tolls. As they do that, we will lift our blockade," a U.S. official said.

Next would come de-mining of the waterway, the official told reporters, indicating countries in the Group of Seven major powers could have a role in this.

Iran's nuclear program would be addressed during a 60-day period of talks.

The senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday that Iran agreed to maintain the nuclear status ‌quo, including no uranium enrichment ​or expanding nuclear facilities, until a final deal was reached.

A U.S. ‌official said the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed.

The senior Iranian official said the draft deal would allow Iran to dilute its enriched uranium inside the country.

An important U.S. aim has been the removal of Iran's enriched uranium, particularly the 440.9 kg (972 lb) enriched ​to up to 60% purity that the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated Iran had before the first Israeli strikes on June 13, 2025.

That is enough, if enriched further, for 10 nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA yardstick, though how much of it remains is unclear. Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear bomb and says its atomic program is for peaceful civilian purposes.

© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.