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Momentum for a deal to end the Iran war appeared to grow Saturday as key mediator Pakistan said an agreement was closer than “ever before” and Iran made some of its most optimistic statements yet. U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media the deal was “scheduled to get signed tomorrow,” and that the Strait of Hormuz would open immediately. Iran foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, however, said “although it will not happen tomorrow, the possibility that it could take place in the coming days cannot be ruled out." Each side was expected to sign electronically. Meanwhile, Trump was expected to discuss demining the Strait of Hormuz during the Group of Seven summit that starts Monday. And Iran’s state-run television said funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in the war's opening attack, will take place in July. A senior U.S. official, who briefed journalists on condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said Trump planned to meet on the G7 sidelines with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to discuss efforts to wind down the war. G7 members Britain and France have expressed interest in assisting with demining once the conflict is paused. It was not clear how many mines are in the strait that Iran has effectively controlled since shortly after the war began, virtually shutting down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. The U.S. has blockaded Iranian ports in response. A tenuous ceasefire has been in place since April 7. Pakistan says a deal to end the war is imminent Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a deal aimed at ending the war was expected to be finalized within 24 hours. Pakistan's foreign ministry said the electronic signing ceremony was scheduled for Sunday, but did not provide details. Sharif told his Qatari counterpart “a peace deal was ready for signatures by the relevant parties very shortly,” another statement said. Iran signaled optimism but indicated more time was needed. Baghaei said in a statement carried by state TV that "the likelihood of finalizing the memorandum of understanding in the coming days is high.” Iran has long expressed wariness in negotiations, pointing out that previous talks with the U.S. last year and early this year ended with attacks by the U.S. and Israel. Baghaei said the memorandum under discussion was focused on ending the war and "at this stage, it has been decided that there will be no discussion of the nuclear issue.” Iran's nuclear program and highly enriched uranium have long been at the center of tensions with the U.S. and Israel and an international source of concern. Trump on social media asserted that “when all is calm,” the U.S. would go in and “downblend and destroy” the enriched uranium in Iran or in the U.S. The apparent breakthrough came after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel earlier in the week, threatening to rupture the ceasefire and push the Middle East back into full-scale war. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X on Friday that an agreement “has never been closer.” Trump, who has asserted multiple times in recent weeks the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on social media. Trump on Thursday claimed significant progress in negotiations, hours after he threatened to seize Iran’s oil industry. Khamenei to be buried at the holiest of Shiite shrines The funeral, burial and farewell events for Khamenei will occur between July 4 and 9 during Muharram, a traditional period of mourning in the Shiite Muslim calendar. Khamenei is succeeded by his son, Mojtaba, who is considered less compromising and has not been seen publicly since the war began. Funeral ceremonies are expected to begin in Tehran and move to Qom, a stronghold of many senior Shiite clerics, then to Mashhad, Khamenei's birthplace. He’ll be buried there at the Imam Reza Shrine, considered the holiest place among Shiite devotees. Khamenei remolded the Islamic Republic following the death in 1989 of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the fiery, charismatic ideologue who led the overthrow of the shah and installed rule by Shiite Muslim clerics. Khamenei ruled far longer than Khomeini. He greatly expanded the Shiite clerical class and built the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard into the most important body underpinning his rule. The Guard became a military and business behemoth, the country’s most elite force and head of its ballistic missile arsenal — a key target for Israel and the U.S. in the war.

The United States and Iran appear close to a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday that a deal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East is closer than “ever before” and expected to be finalized within 24 hours. Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement, followed immediately by technical-level talks next week. Previous declarations of an imminent breakthrough failed to materialize. The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to push the region into a full-scale war. U.S. Central Command late Friday said in a social media post that it intercepted several Iranian attack drones that were targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the Middle East and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7. Here's what to know: Iran's nuclear program terms to be finalized within 60 days of the agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday the terms of dealing with Iran’s nuclear program would be finalized in the 60 days after the initial agreement is signed and that the parties could decide to extend that period. Iran’s nuclear program has been a key point of division. The U.S. and Israel fear it could lead to an atomic weapon — a main reason their leaders cited for going to war. Tehran has insisted its nuclear efforts are for peaceful purposes. A senior U.S. administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said Friday that the emerging agreement would begin the process of destroying or removing Tehran’s highly enriched uranium. The official said the 60-day period after both sides sign the deal would be used to work out technical details for removing Iran’s enriched uranium. The official did not detail who the U.S. envisions taking charge of removing the uranium, believed to be entombed under three nuclear sites that were battered by American strikes last year. The deal will include conditions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, official says The U.S. official said the emerging agreement includes provisions for reopening the strait. Araghchi said Iran wants a deal that allows Tehran to charge ships “for services rendered” when they transit the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has imposed a toll system during the war, which the U.S. and other nations say violates international law. Transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas, has been disrupted and crimped global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made food and other basics more expensive well beyond the region. The agreement is set to include Iranian sanctions relief Three regional officials said the emerging deal is also expected to include the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations. They said they expect a signing ceremony for the agreement in the coming days after officials in Washington and Tehran approve it. What will happen to Lebanon remains unclear Iran has insisted throughout that any deal must also include a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy militia. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Friday that Israel could still act independently toward Iran and that the country would not pull out of the zones it is occupying in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, nor would it withdraw from the northern refugee camps of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Fighting continued in southern Lebanon on Saturday.

Iran will hold funeral and burial ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in early July, state media reported on Saturday, as efforts to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the ongoing regional conflict continue. According to Iran’s state-run broadcaster IRIB, funeral processions, farewell ceremonies and the burial of Khamenei are scheduled to take place between July 4 and July 9. Khamenei was killed in the initial phase of the conflict launched by Israel and the United States against Iran in late February. He was subsequently succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei. State media said the funeral ceremonies will begin in Tehran before moving to the holy city of Qom, a major center of Shiite religious scholarship, and later to Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace. He is expected to be buried at the Imam Reza Shrine, one of the most revered sites in Shiite Islam. Funeral rites for Khamenei’s daughter and son-in-law, who were also killed in the February attack, will be held on the same day, the report said. Khamenei led Iran for more than three decades after succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, following Khomeini’s death in 1989. During his tenure, Khamenei significantly expanded the influence of Iran’s Shiite clerical establishment and strengthened the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which evolved into one of the country’s most powerful military, political and economic institutions. The Revolutionary Guard became a key pillar of Iran’s security apparatus, overseeing the country’s ballistic missile program and maintaining a broad presence across various sectors of the national economy.   

Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in the northeastern Indian state of Assam on Saturday, officials said. The aircraft went down near Jorhat in Assam, the Indian Air Force said in a statement posted on social media platform X. Visuals from the crash site showed debris scattered across a field following the accident. The IAF expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said it stood in solidarity with them during this difficult time. Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the crash, and further details are awaited. The incident comes months after two Indian Air Force pilots were killed in March when a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed during a routine training sortie in Assam.

Five people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Friday as Israeli attacks continued despite a US-brokered ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end regional hostilities. Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that the victim was killed in an air raid targeting the municipality of Maarakeh in the Tyre district. Israeli warplanes also carried out strikes on several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including areas located north of the so-called “Yellow Line,” a zone Israel has sought to control in recent months. The renewed attacks came amid reports that the United States and Iran have reached preliminary agreement on the wording of a deal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that mediators were working with both sides to finalize the agreement. According to Iranian media reports, the proposed deal would include an end to hostilities “on all fronts, including Lebanon.” The continued Israeli strikes have raised concerns that violence in Lebanon could undermine efforts to secure a broader regional agreement, particularly as Israel is not directly involved in the negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Israeli leaders have also indicated they do not intend to withdraw from Lebanese territory, adding to uncertainty over the prospects for lasting peace. The attacks occurred despite a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month between Israeli and Lebanese officials, which called for a complete cessation of hostilities, particularly by Hezbollah. However, sporadic clashes and airstrikes have continued since the agreement was announced. A new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is expected on June 22 as both sides seek to reach a more comprehensive arrangement aimed at ending cross-border hostilities. Source: Al Jazeera

An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed and caught fire while landing at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday morning. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft went down within the premises of the airbase during landing, triggering a fire after the crash. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to contain the blaze and assess the situation. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and there was no immediate information on casualties or injuries. The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and said further details would be shared after an assessment of the situation. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said authorities were awaiting more information regarding the accident. The Antonov AN-32, a twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, is a key component of the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet. Developed in the former Soviet Union to meet India’s operational requirements, the aircraft is designed for operations in high-altitude and tropical environments. The AN-32 is capable of carrying up to 7.5 tonnes of cargo, around 50 passengers or 42 paratroopers, and is widely used for logistics and supply missions in remote areas. The crash comes months after an IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a routine sortie in March, killing both pilots on board. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat Air Force Station before losing contact with ground control and later crashing in a remote hilly area. Further details on the AN-32 crash are awaited. Source: NDTV

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that a U.S. military operation had killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as “Niño Guerrero,” the alleged leader of the notorious Tren de Aragua criminal organization. According to Trump, the operation was a rapid and targeted strike carried out in Venezuela. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strike took place earlier in the week against a Tren de Aragua compound and highlighted cooperation between the United States and Venezuela in combating organized crime and narcotics trafficking. Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan-based gang that has expanded across Latin America and into the United States, has been designated a terrorist organization by U.S. authorities. Guerrero Flores had previously been charged in federal court in New York with racketeering, terrorism-related offenses, drug trafficking, extortion, and other criminal activities spanning more than a decade. In a statement on social media, Trump declared that members of the gang would no longer find safe haven in Venezuela or elsewhere, vowing continued action against criminal organizations involved in violence and drug trafficking. His post included aerial footage showing a building being destroyed in an apparent strike. The U.S. State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero Flores’ capture. The operation is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration targeting what it describes as “narcoterrorist” groups. In recent months, U.S. forces have conducted operations against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs across the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Trump and senior administration officials have frequently cited Tren de Aragua as a major contributor to crime and illegal drug activity affecting communities in the United States. The administration has also accused the gang of maintaining ties to the Venezuelan government, although U.S. intelligence assessments have disputed claims that the organization operated under the direct control of President Nicolás Maduro. Tren de Aragua emerged more than a decade ago inside a prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state. Under Guerrero Flores’ leadership, the gang reportedly gained control of the facility and expanded its influence through extortion, violence, and other criminal enterprises. The prison eventually became known for its unusual level of inmate control, with amenities including restaurants, sports facilities, and entertainment venues. As economic hardship and political instability drove millions of Venezuelans to migrate abroad, the gang expanded its presence throughout the region. Authorities in countries such as Peru and Colombia have linked the group to violent crimes and extortion targeting migrant communities. The announcement comes as immigration and crime remain key issues in U.S. politics. Trump, who campaigned on strengthening border security and combating organized crime, continues to emphasize those priorities during his second term.

The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed on the wording of a draft agreement intended to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Speaking on Friday, Sharif said both countries had reached consensus on a final text and that mediators are now working with Washington and Tehran to complete the remaining steps needed to formalize the deal. Pakistan has played a leading role in the mediation efforts. In a post on X, Sharif expressed optimism, saying that a peaceful resolution appears closer than ever. The development follows several days of military exchanges involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also suggested that an agreement was within reach, while U.S. President Donald Trump shared similar sentiments by reposting Araghchi’s remarks on social media. According to Araghchi, the proposed agreement would initially focus on ending hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon. Discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear program would continue for up to 60 days after the signing of the initial accord, with the possibility of extending that timeline if necessary. Iran’s nuclear activities remain one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations. The United States and Israel argue that Tehran’s program could eventually be used to develop nuclear weapons, while Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are strictly peaceful. A senior U.S. official indicated that the draft agreement would begin the process of eliminating or removing Iran’s highly enriched uranium. The following 60-day period would be used to address technical details related to that process. The negotiations also address the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and natural gas shipments. Disruptions in the waterway have contributed to higher energy costs worldwide. The proposed deal reportedly includes measures to reopen the strait and restore normal shipping operations. Iran has signaled that it wants to retain the right to charge transit fees for vessels using the strait, arguing that such payments would compensate for services provided during passage. Regional officials familiar with the discussions said the agreement is also expected to include a gradual easing of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. They believe a formal signing ceremony could take place within days, pending final approval from both governments. Although Israel is not directly involved in the negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also emphasized that Israel expects its security concerns—including Iran’s missile capabilities and regional proxy networks—to be addressed. Katz added that Israel reserves the right to take independent action against Iran if necessary and indicated that Israeli forces would remain in certain areas of Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and parts of the West Bank. Officials said the mediation effort has been led primarily by Pakistan, under the guidance of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, with support from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar.

The United States and Iran are close to reaching an agreement aimed at ending their months-long conflict, with officials from both sides indicating that a breakthrough could come within days. Three regional officials told media on Friday that the proposed deal could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. A senior US official said the draft agreement also includes the removal and destruction of Iran’s nuclear material, dismantling parts of its nuclear programme and a commitment by Tehran not to fund terrorist groups. Middle East on edge as Iran and US exchange fire again Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that a deal “has never been closer,” while President Donald Trump shared the post on social media. However, Trump also warned Iranian leaders to act quickly. The negotiations follow three days of exchanges involving Iran, the US and Israel and come amid a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April 7. The conflict, which began on February 28, has disrupted energy shipments through the Persian Gulf and heightened regional tensions. Officials said the agreement is expected to be finalized after approval in Washington and Tehran. Pakistan, backed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Qatar, has played a leading mediating role in the talks.

Accreditation for Russian and international media representatives and content creators for the International Festival of Youth is open from May 5 to July 17. The Festival will take place from September 11 to 17, 2026, in Ekaterinburg as part of the national project "Youth and Children." Applications can be submitted via the World Youth Festival Directorate International Platform of Opportunities at the link provided. The accreditation procedure consists of two stages. In the first stage, media representatives and content creators must register on the International Platform of Opportunities, after that they can submit an application for accreditation to work at the Festival venue via the link. Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, noted that the International Media Center will be set up at the IFY–2026 venue. As part of the Media Center, journalists will have access to workstations, rest areas, zones for press approaches and press conferences (which will be held daily), as well as special studios for recording interviews. Media representatives will also be provided with transfer services within Ekaterinburg and catering at the Festival venue. "We see a strong interest in the International Festival of Youth from both Russian and international media representatives and content creators. For us, it is important not only to invite the media community but also to create the most comfortable and inviting working conditions at the Festival venue. All accredited participants will have a greater access to key events, the opportunity to work with leading speakers, and direct interaction with participants from different countries. The Media Center will serve as a fully functional workspace, where journalists will be supported by media volunteers. We are open to cooperation and invite media representatives and content creators from around the world to join us in covering one of the main international youth events of 2026,” - said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate. Also, Dmitry Ivanov added that the Festival is expected to host at least 500 media representatives from around the world. International guests will be provided with transfer services to Ekaterinburg and accommodation in city hotels. The International Festival of Youth will become part of the "family" of events held under the World Youth Festival, which dates back to the Festival on the “Sirius” Federal Territory in 2024. The WYF‑2024 created a community of proactive young leaders united by the ideas of equality among nations and peoples and the construction of a shared future — a multipolar world based on cooperation and a balance of interests. In order to preserve and build on the legacy of the WYF‑2024, international youth events are held annually on the territory of Russia by instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, the World Youth Festival Assembly took place in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 2,000 young people from 120 countries This year, the International Festival of Youth will bring together 10,000 young leaders: 5,000 from Russia and 5,000 from foreign countries. The Decree on Holding the International Festival of Youth was signed by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on December 29, 2025. The delegations will include young people from around the world who have already achieved results in the fields of creative industries, public administration, science and education, sports, entrepreneurship, media, digitalization and IT, and civic participation. Traditionally, the Festival will also involve 1,000 children aged 14 to 17: 500 from Russia and 500 from foreign countries. The Volunteer Corps of 2,000 people will assist in organizing the Festival and supporting participants and guests. The Festival will be held under the motto: "Follow Your Dream. Together with Russia." It will serve as a space for open international dialogue and finding like-minded people, as well as allowing young leaders from different countries to get to know the real Russia – a country of limitless opportunities where everyone can find their vocation and turn their dreams into reality. The organizers of the International Festival of Youth 2026 are the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region. The operator of the event is the World Youth Festival Directorate.  The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 at the “Sirius” Federal Territory, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries. In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod in 2025 and brought together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will gather 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation and developing a community of young people who care about the future of the world.