Trump Claims Iran Deal Near, Strait of Hormuz to Reopen
Donald Trump has stated that a deal with Iran to end the conflict will be signed on Sunday, and that the Strait of Hormuz will be "open to all" immediately afterward. The president made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, asserting that the agreement would prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and reopen the strategic waterway to international shipping.
Earlier in the day, Iran had offered a different timeline, but nonetheless signaled that an agreement was imminent. Both warring parties and their mediators have expressed increasing optimism that weeks of halting negotiations are drawing to a close. Since an April 8 truce paused the worst of the fighting, Trump has repeatedly insisted a deal was near, only for the wrangling to drag on.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Saturday that the date of the signing had yet to be determined, but "it will not be tomorrow." However, he added: "The possibility of this happening in the coming days cannot be ruled out." Trump claimed in his post that Iran "no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor will they have one, either through purchase, development, or any other form of procurement."
Other Key Stories from Saturday, June 13
- Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center: Workers removed Trump's name from the facade of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, hours after a judge rejected an emergency appeal to block the removal.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump's UFC event: The former rightwing Republican congresswoman criticized Trump's plan to hold a UFC fight on the White House lawn, calling the location inappropriate for the mixed martial arts event.
- Trump as Don Corleone: Barbara McQuade's book exposes how Trump is eroding democracy by turning the US into a mafia state, according to a review.
- UFC birthday spectacle at White House: Seven fights are scheduled on the South Lawn for Trump's 80th birthday, featuring a 92ft 'Claw', thousands of seats, and a fighting cage, despite ominous weather forecasts.
- Elephant relieves itself at Texas Republican convention: An African elephant brought to the Texas Republican party's annual convention urinated on the convention floor, drawing animal welfare concerns.
Other notable events include Zohran Mamdani's endorsement blitz, an explainer on Trump's $70bn immigration crackdown bill, and the FCC moving up public comment for ABC renewals.
