Donald Trump announced on social media that a peace agreement between Iran and the US, allowing free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities, is set to be signed imminently. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, contradicted this timeline, attributing the delay to perceived inconsistencies on the US side. Trump cautioned that if the deal did not progress smoothly, the US had a contingency plan in place.
Amidst these developments, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism about nearing a peace deal, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog marked Trump’s 80th birthday by commending his efforts against Iran. Conversely, Israel’s opposition leader criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war with Iran, branding it a failure.
Tensions escalated as the Israeli Defense Forces intercepted a rocket launched from southern Lebanon towards Israeli soldiers, allegedly by Hezbollah. This incident followed Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites. Additionally, Iran refuted claims of an imminent peace deal signing on Sunday, labeling it as a publicity stunt by Trump.
On the diplomatic front, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Trump of UK support for the peace agreement during a phone conversation. The US administration expressed optimism about finalizing the deal, aiming to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and dismantle Iran’s nuclear program under the proposed agreement. Amidst ongoing negotiations, uncertainties persist regarding the deal’s specifics and implications.
