United News of Bangladesh

The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement aimed at prolonging their fragile ceasefire and paving the way for the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, though several key issues continue to threaten the deal’s success, particularly ongoing tensions involving Israel and Lebanon. The agreement, brokered by Pakistan, is expected to be formally signed in Geneva on Friday. Until then, restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz are likely to remain in place. The waterway, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments, has been largely disrupted during the conflict, contributing to a worldwide energy crunch. While the framework has been welcomed internationally, uncertainty remains over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated on Monday that Israeli forces would not withdraw from territory captured in Lebanon and signaled that military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group would continue. Although Israel joined the United States in launching military action against Iran on February 28, it is not a signatory to the newly announced agreement. Officials in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel would continue taking measures it deems necessary to protect its security. Iran has repeatedly maintained that any comprehensive agreement to end the conflict must include a halt to fighting in Lebanon, making Israel’s position a potential stumbling block. Another major challenge concerns Iran’s nuclear program. Under the tentative arrangement, negotiators have just 60 days to determine the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and address broader concerns surrounding its nuclear activities. The issue has long been a source of tension, with Washington and Israel fearing the material could be used to develop nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies. The compressed timeline contrasts sharply with the years of negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers. That deal later unraveled after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from it during his first term. Despite unresolved questions, leaders across Europe, Asia and the Middle East broadly welcomed the breakthrough, viewing it as a potential step toward ending a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and triggered economic disruptions well beyond the region. Still, some observers cautioned against premature optimism. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel noted that considerable uncertainty remains before the expected signing date. Trump, under growing domestic political pressure ahead of November's congressional elections, celebrated the agreement online, announcing that he had authorized the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. He later clarified that those measures would only take effect after the agreement is formally signed. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also confirmed the existence of the agreement but stressed that Tehran would not begin implementation until the signing ceremony takes place. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the subsequent U.S. blockade significantly disrupted global energy markets. Before the conflict, roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas exports passed through the narrow maritime corridor. Industry analysts say it may take months for global energy supplies to fully stabilize even if shipping resumes. Diplomatic preparations are set to continue this week in Doha, where Iranian and American officials are expected to hold preliminary meetings ahead of Friday’s signing. Meanwhile, the situation in Lebanon remains a critical test for the agreement’s durability. Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs over the weekend nearly disrupted negotiations, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire effort. Katz said Israel intends to maintain a military presence indefinitely in territories under its control in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. He also warned that any Iranian retaliation linked to Israeli operations in Lebanon would be met with a forceful response. Officials in Netanyahu’s office reiterated that Israel and the United States remain aligned in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while emphasizing that Israel will continue acting against threats posed by Hezbollah. Hezbollah has yet to publicly respond to the proposed agreement.

Health authorities in Congo have recorded one of the largest single-day increases in Ebola infections since the current outbreak was declared a month ago, highlighting both the rapid spread of the virus and improved disease surveillance efforts. According to the Ministry of Health, 72 new Ebola cases were confirmed over a 24-hour period, raising the total number of infections to 782. The death toll has climbed to 181 after 29 additional fatalities were verified. Officials said the surge reflects not only ongoing transmission but also enhanced case detection, with community members increasingly reporting suspected infections and response teams actively investigating them. The actual number of infections is believed to be higher, as the outbreak—officially announced on May 15—is thought to have been circulating for weeks before it was identified. The outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which was not initially included in testing efforts. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, which has been responsible for most of Congo's previous Ebola outbreaks and for which a vaccine exists, there is currently no widely available vaccine for the Bundibugyo variant. Health officials reported that contact tracing coverage has fallen to 56 percent, a significant decline from the previous week, although no explanation was immediately provided. Authorities continue efforts to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into contact with infected patients. Since the outbreak began, 40 patients have recovered, while the overall fatality rate stands at 23 percent. International health agencies are stepping up support for the response. The World Health Organization said it is expanding testing, treatment and contact-tracing operations, with large quantities of medical supplies already delivered to the country. Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is providing technical assistance, strengthening laboratory capacity and supporting community engagement and case-finding activities. "We remain committed to supporting affected countries until transmission is halted," said Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya, urging international partners and donors to provide additional resources to contain the outbreak and save lives. More than 90 percent of reported cases have been detected in Ituri province in eastern Congo. Infections have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, with cases crossing the border into Uganda. Containing the outbreak remains challenging due to years of conflict and displacement in Ituri, where nearly one million people have been uprooted, according to the United Nations. Frequent population movements, remote settlements, poor road networks and dense forests have complicated efforts to track contacts and deliver healthcare services. Health officials also face difficulties monitoring thousands of miners who regularly move between isolated mining sites across the region.

The United States and Iran have reached a tentative agreement aimed at extending their fragile ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, though major uncertainties remain as Israel continues military operations and refuses to pull back from occupied territory in Lebanon. Details of the understanding were not immediately made public. The deal is expected to allow the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global energy supplies. Iran, however, said the agreement would only take effect after it is formally signed, which Pakistan, acting as a key mediator, said would happen on Friday in Switzerland. Despite the announcement, the agreement quickly faced obstacles. Israel’s ongoing fighting with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon continued, including Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday. Israel joined the US in launching the war on February 28. In its first response after the deal was announced, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not withdraw from territories it has seized in Lebanon under any interim arrangement. He said Israel intends to remain in occupied areas in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip indefinitely. Iran has linked progress on the deal to an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Katz also warned that any Iranian attack in response to Israeli strikes would trigger a strong Israeli retaliation. Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of roughly 1,000 square kilometres of territory across Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, an area slightly smaller than New York City. The agreement between the US and Iran also sets a 60-day timeline to address Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its nuclear programme, a long-standing point of dispute. The issue had earlier been addressed in the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew during President Donald Trump’s first term, worsening tensions that later escalated into conflict. Trump, celebrating his 80th birthday, announced the development on social media and said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened and a US naval blockade lifted. He later clarified that the opening would depend on the signing scheduled for Friday. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also confirmed the agreement on state television, saying Tehran would not begin implementing it until it is signed. He said the talks involved mediation by Qatar. The announcement was welcomed by several world leaders, including those in China and Europe, who said reopening the Strait of Hormuz was crucial for stabilising global energy prices and trade. Chinese officials urged both sides to proceed with signing the memorandum as planned. France said the agreement could help end hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon, while urging all parties to respect the deal. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed hope that the signing would go ahead and said reopening the strait was essential for global stability, although some leaders, including Luxembourg’s foreign minister, remained cautious about the outcome. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the breakthrough, calling for efforts to restore free navigation in the strategic waterway and to build lasting peace in the region. Pakistan announced the agreement first, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying both sides had agreed to an immediate halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Pakistani officials said broader technical negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme would continue over the next 60 days, with the possibility of an extension if needed. Iranian state media, citing the Supreme National Security Council, said the war would end immediately once implementation begins and that the US blockade would be lifted in full. Qatari mediators later left Tehran after lengthy talks, while further preparatory meetings are expected in Doha this week. It remains unclear who will sign the agreement on Iran’s behalf. US Vice President JD Vance said preparations were still underway for Friday’s signing, adding that President Trump could also attend. However, some Republican lawmakers in the US expressed concern, including Senator Lindsey Graham, who said Iran’s interpretation of the deal appeared to differ from that of US negotiators.

US President Donald Trump has welcomed a newly announced agreement with Iran as a major diplomatic breakthrough, though uncertainty remains over key details that could determine whether the deal succeeds. Trump described the agreement as a “great deal” that would bring peace and stability to the Middle East. In a social media post on Sunday, he said the strategically important Strait of Hormuz would remain open to commercial shipping and that the United States would end its naval blockade. “Let the oil flow!” Trump wrote, expressing confidence that the agreement would help ease tensions in the region. However, many important questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and how the agreement will be implemented. US Vice President JD Vance said the deal includes provisions aimed at ensuring Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and that Washington will be able to verify compliance. Despite those assurances, uncertainty remains over restrictions on uranium enrichment and the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Further discussions are expected during a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, when technical negotiations will continue to address unresolved issues. Iran has also signalled caution. The country's Supreme National Security Council said final negotiations would not proceed until the other side fulfils its commitments under the memorandum of understanding. Analysts say how both sides interpret and implement those commitments will play a critical role in determining whether the agreement holds. The deal could also have significant implications for global energy markets. Experts warn that oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz are unlikely to return immediately to normal levels, as shipping backlogs, mine-clearing operations and production adjustments may take several weeks. Another key factor is Israel’s role in the region. According to reports, Trump expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over military strikes in Lebanon that he believed could have jeopardised the nearly completed agreement. Although the deal survived that tension and was publicly announced, observers say renewed military action could threaten its stability. Any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could once again affect global energy supplies and international markets. The agreement may also have political implications inside the United States. Vance acknowledged that the conflict had contributed to higher energy prices, increasing financial pressure on many Americans. He expressed hope that energy costs would begin to decline following the agreement. Whether lower oil prices translate into broader economic relief could influence public opinion ahead of the upcoming congressional midterm elections. Recent polling suggests that many Americans remain dissatisfied with the state of the economy. Concerns over inflation, energy costs and household expenses continue to put pressure on the administration and the ruling Republican Party. Even so, the agreement is being viewed as a potentially important step toward reducing regional tensions and easing economic uncertainty, although its long-term success will depend on the outcome of upcoming negotiations and developments in the wider Middle East. With inputs from BBC

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in remarks to The New York Times following the announcement of an agreement with Iran. Trump described Netanyahu as "a very difficult guy" and suggested that the Israeli leader should appreciate Washington’s role in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump argued that without U.S. intervention, Israel’s security would have been severely threatened if Iran had developed a nuclear arsenal. He also expressed frustration over Israeli military actions in Lebanon, saying they nearly undermined the negotiations that led to the agreement, reports Al Jazeera. The president warned that the United States could resume military strikes against Iran if talks on Tehran’s nuclear program ultimately break down. Trump maintained that previous U.S. missile and bombing attacks were a key factor in persuading Iran to negotiate, claiming that Tehran wanted to avoid further military action. According to Trump, the pressure created by those strikes played a major role in securing the deal, which he described as having a “huge impact” on bringing Iran to the negotiating table.  

A plane carrying a pilot and 11 passengers on a skydiving outing in Missouri crashed in a field and was engulfed in flames Sunday, killing all aboard, authorities said. The crash happened shortly after the plane took off from a local airport around 11:30 a.m., and some of the occupants' family members witnessed the crash, said Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson. A heap of blue and silver mangled metal lay in the grass near Butler Memorial Airport with a massive lineup of emergency vehicles gathered on a nearby street. Clergy and volunteers went to the site to assist relatives, Anderson said, and officials were working Sunday afternoon to identify all victims and notify their next of kin. Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration were also on scene Sunday afternoon, Anderson said, and a team from the National Transportation Safety Board was en route. The private plane was operated by Skydive Kansas City, said Dennis Jacobs, the acting airport manager and Bates County Emergency Management Agency director. It was identified as a single engine turboprop plane. “It had just taken off and made a left turn” before the crash, Jacobs said. “In my opinion, I think it was losing power, and he was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose first and caught fire.” Emergency responders put out the fire in the wreckage soon after the crash, Jacobs said, calling the scene “brutal.” First responders also checked the area under the flight path and did not find anyone who might have tried to jump out before the plane came down, he said. The Pacific Aerospace 750XL that crashed is a model that’s popular for skydiving and also has proven useful for carrying cargo, aerial surveying and medical evacuation flights. The aircraft can carry more than 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) and is capable of taking off and landing on short runways, according to the manufacturer. The plane was built in 2010, according to FAA records. Sky diving companies operate in the region eight or nine months of the year, with the season usually starting in late March or early April and lasting into October or November. Someone answering the phone at Skydive Kansas City declined to speak to a reporter from The Associated Press. The crashed occurred on a sunny day in the area. Data from the digital flight tracking company FlightAware shows the plane had already completed two short flights on Sunday before the crash. Two more successful flights were logged Saturday, and five on Friday, according to FlightAware. It’s not yet known what factors may have contributed to the crash, Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Justin Ewing said, and those details will be part of the investigation carried out by NTSB officials. The sheriff emphasized that the public is safe and this “appears to be an accident.” Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said poor maintenance has been a factor in a number of previous skydiving plane crashes because these companies are not held to a high standard under FAA rules. Guzzetti said skydiving companies are governed by the same rules any private plane owner has to follow and not the more stringent rules that charter flight operators and airlines adhere to. “There’s been a whole history of skydiving accidents for inadequate maintenance and deficient safety culture,” said Guzzetti who used to be a crash investigator for both the NTSB and FAA. The exact cause of Sunday’s crash won’t be clear for a year or more until the NTSB publishes its final report. The NTSB has previously raised concerns about the weak oversight for skydiving operators in past crash investigations. The agency said after a 2019 crash that killed 11 people in Hawaii that the FAA’s regulatory system isn’t strong enough to ensure the safety of skydiving flights. .The small airport serves around 30 aircraft, all privately owned, including crop dusting companies and sky dive operators, Jacobs said. The small town of Butler has a population of around 4,300 people and is roughly 65 miles (105 kilometers) south of Kansas City. The Butler Memorial Airport, as well as the highway that runs beside it, will remain closed while federal investigators are on the scene, Anderson said Sunday afternoon.    

Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons in clashes with stone-throwing youths during a protest on Sunday in Geneva against the G7 group of wealthy nations, a day before its leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump hold a summit in nearby France. A violent standoff extended into the evening after a series of incidents — including a car set ablaze and a bank’s windows smashed — along the route of an afternoon march that drew an estimated 20,000 people, including some 600 so-called “Black Bloc” militants, according to figures from Geneva police spokesman Alexandre Brahier. The demonstration, which had been previously organized by a hodgepodge of activist groups after weeks of negotiations with local authorities, was otherwise peaceful — with environmentalists, women’s rights advocates, supporters of Palestinians and foes of imperialism, fascism and capitalism. Early on during the march, firefighters extinguished a Tesla that was set ablaze next to the central bus stop and a phalanx of riot police cordoned off a secure area as a crowd congregated nearby. A handful of demonstrators ripped down wooden barriers that were previously erected to protect a Banque du Leman and smashed its windows. Several groups of dozens of youths wearing black hoodies, masks and goggles were mixed in among the other marchers — including behind an anti-Trump banner. Two with their faces totally covered refused to speak with The Associated Press and silently waved off questions before the protest began. Some protesters fired flares toward officers or tore up chunks of asphalt and chucked them toward police in shields and riot gear. The clashes continued even after police ordered the demonstrators to disperse. The vast majority of marchers at the front were advocates of women’s rights, many wearing purple T-shirts and holding up banners and posters that decried the “patriarchy,” a lack of women in executive positions and inequality in pay and executive jobs in the workplace. Other marchers held signs that showed sympathy for Palestinians in Gaza, carried slogans like “Antisemitic never; anti-Zionist always” and criticized Trump — often with expletives — among other sharply worded messages. Organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police. Travel restrictions and limited border crossings during the summit Swiss and French authorities have deployed thousands of police to provide security for the three-day summit starting Monday in the resort town of Evian-les-Bains, France. The leaders are set to discuss wars in Ukraine,Iran and the Middle East, and economic issues like global inequality and access to critical minerals. Ahead of the gathering, authorities in Geneva blocked off roads, banned unauthorized gatherings and pledged financial support for businesses who could be hit by unrest. Scores of businesses and shops in downtown Geneva boarded up their storefronts with wooden panels as a precaution, leery of upheaval that left a trail of damage in the city during a similar summit in Evian in 2003. Only seven of the 35 roadway border crossings will remain open. The show of activism began a day earlier: a flotilla of around 20 boats appeared on Lake Geneva off the coast of Evian on Saturday, displaying anti-G7 and pro-Palestinian banners. Swiss media reports said some 20 protesters had been detained on Friday evening. Resident Robin Hedz lamented the “mess” and expressed bafflement about the “wood-wall everywhere,” while acknowledging the memories of the trail of damaged property over 20 years ago. The G7 brings together Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, though leaders of several other countries including India, Kenya and Ukraine were expected to join for discussions. France has announced the deployment of more than 13,000 police and gendarmerie officers to ensure security in the summit area. Over 800 French border control officers will be active, up from about 60 normally. Trump is the focus of protests Protests are nothing new around such elite gatherings. This time, activists expressed frustration with Trump’s leadership on issues as diverse as tariffs, the war in Iran, climate, and even his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The G7 summit takes place as the United States and Iran appear close to a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. “We are very afraid of the policy and the politics of Mr. Trump and also of the other leaders of the G7, because they are fighting, making war all over the place,” said Francoise Nyffeler, spokesperson for the NoG7 coalition behind the demonstration on Sunday. “The planet is in danger and we are very scared about it and we want to protest and say that the people of the world are against their policies,” she added.

US President Donald Trump has announced that a deal with Iran will be signed this Friday, following a series of statements this week suggesting a ceasefire agreement after more than 100 days of war. Tehran has since confirmed the announcement, saying that an end to the war – which began following a US-Israeli assault on Iran on 28 February – will be declared early on Monday morning GMT. Here is what has been said could be included in the US-Iran deal, as well as reactions from the parties involved. Who announced the deal first? “America is lucky to have a leader with such incredible courage, remarkable strength, an unmatched sense of humor, and an unparalleled love of country. Happy Birthday, Mr. President!” Rubio said in a post on X. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, broke the news on X on Sunday. Sharif said that a “permanent termination of military operations on all fronts” had been agreed upon, including in Lebanon. Trump confirmed the news in a post on Truth Social shortly after, writing: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete”. The agreement fully authorises “the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz” and, simultaneously, “the immediate removal of the United States naval blockade”, he wrote. Earlier, Trump told The Washington Post that he planned to announce a US-Iran agreement “imminently.” According to the newspaper, he said the agreement would be signed electronically, either by him or Vice President JD Vance. Later on Sunday, Trump told The New York Times that the US could restart military operations or become “the guardian of the Middle East” in exchange for 20 percent of the region’s revenues. It was not clear whether the interview was conducted before or after the agreement was announced. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Trump on the announcement and noted that it came on the president’s birthday. “America is lucky to have a leader with such incredible courage, remarkable strength, an unmatched sense of humor, and an unparalleled love of country. Happy Birthday, Mr. President!” Rubio said in a post on X. Vice President Vance said the newly announced ceasefire could usher in a “new era” for the Middle East. He credited Trump’s diplomacy with Gulf countries and other regional partners for helping bring about the deal. “What the president has done is create the real space to transform that region,” Vance said in an interview with Fox News. “And now, hopefully, a new era with the Iranians.” Vance also reiterated what he described as a central US objective, saying: “I think we can safely say, with confidence, that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.” What did Iran say? Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, confirmed that an end to military operations was expected “soon”. According to remarks carried by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Gharibabadi said that an “immediate and permanent end to the war and military operations on various fronts, including Lebanon”, would be announced starting on Monday. He added that negotiations on a final agreement would take place during a 60-day period, contingent on Iran verifying that the US had fulfilled its commitments. The commitments include ending hostilities, lifting the naval blockade, and releasing frozen Iranian assets. What does the deal entail? According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, the draft agreement contains 14 points. It includes: a permanent and immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon; the complete lifting of the naval blockade within 30 days; a US commitment to withdraw its forces from around Iran; and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The draft also mentions the suspension of sanctions on oil sales, reaching a final agreement on nuclear issues within 60 days of signing the deal, and the release of $24bn in frozen Iranian assets during the 60-day negotiation period. Mehr also reported that final negotiations would not begin until half of Iran’s frozen assets had been released and restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz had been lifted. Discussions concerning Iran’s missile programme and its support for resistance groups have been removed from the negotiating agenda, it added. Al Jazeera could not independently confirm the details reported by Mehr. What did the mediators say? Pakistan, along with Qatar, has been a key mediator in the ceasefire agreement and was involved in the last-minute talks before the deal was announced. Sharif said on Sunday that a US-Iran agreement had been reached and that mediators would facilitate a series of meetings this week. He added that both sides had declared the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”. The prime minister thanked the US and Iran for their commitment, as well as Qatar for its support “in reaching this agreement”. “I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Türkiye for their immense contributions in this regard,” he added. A series of meetings will follow this week to lay the foundation for technical talks and the official signing ceremony, he said. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement, welcoming “the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran on “addressing the outstanding issues between them”. The ministry added that it viewed the agreement, including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, as an “important step” towards consolidating sustainable peace and promoting economic growth, both regionally and internationally. Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also praised Pakistan and “all regional and international parties who contributed to creating the conditions for reaching this understanding”. The Iranian Embassy in Turkiye posted an image on its official X account of an Iranian flag planted on a rock motif over the Strait of Hormuz. “Welcome to the Middle East of a new era,” the post said. When will the deal be signed? The official signing ceremony will take place on June 19 in Switzerland, according to Pakistan’s Sharif. Technical talks will be held throughout the week. Since the start of the war in late February, Tehran has effectively gained control over the Strait of Hormuz by attacking, or threatening to attack, vessels transiting through the strategic chokepoint. From what can be understood from the still-unconfirmed details touted by international parties, the deal would largely restore the status quo that existed before the war. Sourece: Aljazeera  

The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early Monday to open the Strait of Hormuz and further extend a shaky ceasefire in the Iran war, potentially allowing desperately needed oil and natural gas to reach the global market. Details of the deal were not immediately released and Iran signaled implementation would not start until the signing, which key mediator Pakistan said would occur Friday in Switzerland. It could provide a way to end a war that killed thousands across the Middle East, including the top leaders of Iran’s theocracy, and sparked a historic energy crisis. But the memorandum of understanding over the war already faced intense challenges. Israel’s continued hostilities with the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israel bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs Sunday, nearly derailed the negotiations. Meanwhile, the deal 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. U.S. 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. Israel, which has insisted it be allowed a freehand to pursue Hezbollah as it occupies southern Lebanon and has extended its military operations into areas its forces haven’t been in a quarter century, did not immediately comment. Israel joined the U.S. in launching the war on Feb. 28. Benchmark Brent crude oil fell more than $3 a barrel on the news as Asian stock markets rallied. Pakistan, a key mediator, announces deal 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.” It remains unclear whether Israel, which relies on the U.S. but has launched in wars against its enemies since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, agreed to that term. 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 saying the war on all fronts “will end immediately and permanently beginning tonight” — but 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. U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Congress would exercise oversight on any accord with Iran. “We have seen time and again: War cannot change the Iranian regime,” he said. Interim deal faces intense scrutiny The first strike of the war killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Khamenei’s son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is now supreme leader. He has not been seen in the public since the war began, but his approval was needed for Iran to sign off on the deal. There was apparent friction inside Iran in the hours before the announcement, as the government warned that division at home over the deal weakened its negotiating position. The deal likely returns the region to a status that existed before the war, but with Iran having proven its ability to disrupt shipping in the strait. The waterway is crucial to significant shipments of oil, natural gas and related products like fertilizer, and its effective closure rocked the global economy. Even with a deal, it will take months for oil and gas supplies to flow freely enough for the world’s needs to be met because shipping and insurance companies want to be confident the agreement will last, energy experts said. Tehran also still has a ballistic missile arsenal and enough highly enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons, should it choose to pursue them. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful and has not publicly committed to giving up the enriched uranium, which is believed to be buried under three nuclear sites that were badly damaged by U.S. strikes last year. The U.S. has sought the removal of the enriched uranium from Iran as part of a deal. Russia has offered to take it. But Iran insists it wants to keep the uranium.

President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday on Sunday by hailing an initial agreement to end the war in Iran and staging a once unfathomable cage-fighting show on the White House's storied South Lawn. Trump had been touting the emerging deal for weeks and the continuing conflict threatened to overshadow the UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza, where combatants inside a wire-mesh octagon tried to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission. Ahead of the fight starting, however, the president said an agreement to end the conflict “is now complete." He declared that the U.S. will end its blockade of Iran, and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen. That could potentially ease high oil prices — but crucial details still need negotiating over the coming weeks. Top administration officials and Republican leaders attended the fights, including FBI Director Kash Patel and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Polish President Karol Nawrocki was also spotted at the White House. Trump and UFC chief Dana White walked together from the Oval Office to the Blue Room Balcony to survey the Octagon, standing for the national anthem as fighter jets thundered overhead. More than 4,000 spectators were invited to a temporary arena under “ The Claw,” a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with lighting, sound equipment and large screens. Thousands more watched on big screens from the nearby Ellipse. “This event is a one of one event, incredible event,” said White, a close friend of the president's, during a Friday night hype session at the Lincoln Memorial, where pairs of fighters shoved and scuffled for the cameras under the stoic gaze of Honest Abe’s marble likeness. During a break in Sunday's action, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg approached Trump and spoke with him for several minutes. First lady Melania Trump was also there. As Diego Lopes was defeating American Steve Garcia in the opening fight, the president could be seen speaking to the first lady while watching the knockout. After Bo Nickal knocked out Kyle Daukaus in the second fight, Nickal went over to Trump and kneeled down, chatting briefly. “I gotta thank President Trump for making this happen,” Nickal told White in a subsequent interview, as Trump grinned nearby. Nickal added that the president is a “special person,” before Trump-favorite “YMCA" played. The president sought to tie Sunday’s event to larger, monthslong celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But it was so geared toward himself that the G7 summit for leaders of industrialized nations pushed back their get-together so that the president could attend his cage-match party and then fly to Europe for the meetings. The weekend wasn't all smiles for Trump, though. Crews pried Trump’s name off the Kennedy Center about a mile from Trump’s birthday bash after a judge ruled naming it after the president had gone too far. And, before the fight began, UFC Middleweight champion Sean Strickland — an outspoken critic of Israel — was escorted out of the Ellipse by a crowd of law enforcement officers. It could have been worse. Despite forecasts predicting strong chances of thunderstorms that delayed the event briefly, rain wasn't an issue. A dramatic departure from how the last president marked his 80th The crowd repeatedly chanted, “USA! USA!” when an American fighter faced a foreign opponent. But that often didn’t help the American fighter prevail. After winning his fight, Brazil's Mauricio Ruffy proposed to his girlfriend who — in Trumpian fashion — flashed a thumb's up from the crowd. It was all a very long way from when Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, turned 80 in November 2022. Biden celebrated with a private family brunch at the White House, laying bare just how much and how quickly things have changed. Asked about the contrast, White House spokesperson Allison Schuster called the UFC event “one of the most entertaining nights in American history.” “Having this spectacle take place at the people’s house on Flag Day during our nations’ semiquincentennial anniversary is a fitting tribute,” Schuster said in a statement. When he turned 80, Biden was the oldest president in U.S. history, and was months away from launching a reelection bid that he would ultimately abandon after a disastrous debate against Trump and mutiny among Democrats concerned he was too old to handle a second term. Trump has now supplanted Biden as the oldest person to be elected U.S. president. He’s constitutionally barred from running again, yet constantly toys with the notion publicly. That’s despite polls showing rising public skepticism about Trump’s mental and physical health — recalling concerns Biden faced as he turned 80. A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted in April found that less than half of U.S. adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively as president. The White House countered with a lengthy statement from Trump's former White House physician, Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, saying Trump's “stamina, focus, and strength are exceptional and on display every day. Claims to the contrary are pure fiction.” Jackson added that polling concerns were “being propagated by the same biased, liberal, Trump-hating press that completely ignored the absolute cognitive and physical disaster that was President Biden.” ‘Bread and circuses’ — Trump-style The UFC is an apt metaphor for Trump's pugilistic political style. He is as big a fan of cage-match-style politics as he is of cage-fighting itself. But Trump has also long been a master of political misdirection, purposely presenting people with something other than his presidency to focus on when things aren’t going well. With the war in Iran having kept gas prices high and renewing concerns about inflation while Trump's job approval ratings fall, a White House birthday party unlike anything America has ever seen can certainly qualify as a diversion. “This is all distraction,” said Mike Fontaine, a classics professor at Cornell University, who likened it to the gladiatorial games of Imperial Rome, when combatants brutalized each other for public entertainment meant to bolster rulers’ popularity and quell potential unrest. “This is a classic strategy," Fontaine said. “In ancient Rome, the phrase would be, ‘bread and circuses.’” Trump says the UFC is paying for the event and while its full costs haven't been divulged, the National Park Service said in a court filing that $60-plus million and tens of thousands of hours of labor went into it, while seven government agencies have “allocated significant resources and manpower.” UFC also announced that it was adding as an official partner for the event World Liberty Financial to create a special $250,000 athlete bonus pool for Sunday night’s winners. The cryptocurrency company is co-owned by the Trump family, founded with the president’s special diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff and run by his son, Zach. The arrangement further blurs lines between the Trump family's financial interests and the events and construction projects the president has prioritized and used government resources to pull off. Still, Fontaine said that when it comes to a personal flair for pageantry, the president’s second-term tendency to lean into “hardcore masculinity and brute fighting” is marrying the UFC's blood sport with Trump's trademark humor and enduring sense of showmanship. “President Trump has a once-in-a-generation talent for this stuff,” he said.