THE TELEGRAPH: Trump is turning victory in Iran into an American humiliation

What was the point? On the upside, Iran has sustained the mother of all military and economic batterings. On the downside, it appears to be rapidly rebuilding its strength. And under the terms of a new "peace" deal, will it soon be aided by many billions of dollars of sanctions relief from the very president who condemned Barack Obama for doing just that? Before the war, America's deterrent was fearsome; Donald Trump was able to press Hamas into a hostage deal in Gaza with apocalyptic rhetoric alone. Who will take him seriously now? We were told "a whole civilisation would die", but with Trump at the helm, it is Western civilisation that finds itself in decline.

On February 28, the mightiest military power in history was mobilised against the evillest regime on Earth. Four months later, we have no answer to the nuclear question; no containment of Iran's proxies; no curbs on its ballistic missiles; no guarantees on Hormuz; no regime change in Tehran. This is not just a humiliation for Washington but, with China and Russia taking notes, an extremely dangerous one. The buck stops with Trump. There was a plan, we now know, to unleash Kurdish fighters from Iraq, which – despite concerns about their allegiances, numbers and effectiveness, not to mention the effect on Arab neighbours – may have made the difference.

Yet, reportedly after lobbying from Turkey's dangerous Islamist leader, the president cancelled it, leaving his weapon to go off half-cocked. He also ignored Israeli advice to continue strikes during the talks, needlessly handing the enemy breathing space. Then there was Hormuz. According to Elliott Abrams, formerly Trump's envoy on both Iran and Venezuela, whom I recently interviewed on The Brink, the president ignored his military experts and ran the war based on his gut. Thus he ignored the central concern of wargames since time immemorial and, well, hoped for the best. He got the worst. But who cares, right? He has staged a UFC fight on the White House lawn. The mullahs must be loving it.

Not only did Trump apparently disdain his advisors, he disdained his allies, too. Europe, which already jumps at its own shadow, was not brought on board – the Ayatollah's London office remains open and his ambassador in place – the Gulf states were riven with disunity and Turkey and Pakistan were handed outsized influence. This was not leadership. It was incompetence. Worst of all, those with the most to lose were the most severely betrayed. Most poignantly, the Iranian people. In January, Trump posted "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! ... HELP IS ON ITS WAY". Some might well have sacrificed their lives in response. Yesterday, the president remarked that he "never cared about regime change". Thanks for that.

Secondly, Israel. The Jewish state has suffered greatly from the pernicious narrative that Benjamin Netanyahu led Trump into this war by the nose. The Iranian regime has masterfully exploited this.
At the most sensitive moments in the talks, their proxy, Hezbollah, has provoked Israel into military responses, infuriating the gullible Trump, who has lambasted Netanyahu as a "difficult guy" who has "no f---ing judgment". Tehran is driving a wedge between the allies and the president can't see it. So they continue. Overnight, Hezbollah fired on Israeli civilians. How will Trump react when Jerusalem retaliates? Increasingly, by pinning the blame on Bibi and taking the side of Iran. (Source)

'We are all shocked’ by deal, worry that regime will feel it ‘won,' Iranian source tells 'Post'

Iranians who oppose the regime are “shocked” by the emerging details of an agreement between the US and Iran, an Iranian source told The Jerusalem Post on Monday. The source, who is in touch with Iranians inside Iran and is knowledgeable about the situation on the ground nationwide, discussed how the emerging agreement is being received in Iran. The source said that friends say “everything was going on organically to the advantage of the Iranian people and the world since the first war in June 2025 started against the Islamic Republic.”

The source discussed the 12-day war and how that conflict, which began with Israeli strikes on Iran, was successful. However, the source said that dissidents in Iran have been surprised by the outcome of the Trump administration’s involvement. “He came to harvest what Israelis had planted while the tree was still a sapling, and he ruined the seeding.” The source said that one surprising comment among opponents of the regime is talk about how hardliners could stage a military coup inside Iran. This is because there is opposition to an emerging deal within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “There’s numbers [sic] of hardliners in the regime body yet,” the source said, then claimed that “reformists in the IRGC” have been doing “a purge in recent months. They isolated the hardliners.”

The concern is that within Iran, the regime perceives an emerging deal, apparently mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, as a win for Tehran.“ On Iranian state TV, they described it as the victory of the axis of resistance against the US,” the source notes. “We are all shocked. I was talking with a friend in Iran a few hours ago. They can’t believe they made the deal.” The concern among those who oppose the regime in Iran is that the US has been convinced to make this deal. (Read More)

Trump Stabbed Israel in the Back

Trump gave Iran $12 billion, a lifted blockade, and a nuclear deferral, while screaming at Netanyahu and cutting Israel out entirely. This isn't a deal. It's a surrender. Donald Trump, the man who spent years thundering that Barack Obama's Iran deal was the worst agreement in the history of diplomacy, has just handed Tehran a package that makes the JCPOA look like maximum pressure. He has rewarded Iran with $12 billion in unfrozen assets before negotiations even begin, a lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, an end to oil sanctions, and the implicit international legitimacy the regime has craved for decades. And in exchange? Iran has "committed" not to build a nuclear bomb. A verbal commitment. From the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Where have we heard that before? Obama at least got centrifuges dismantled, enriched uranium shipped out of the country, and IAEA inspectors on the ground. Trump got a memorandum of understanding, a signing ceremony in Switzerland, and a thumbs-up from Putin and Xi Jinping, whom he effusively thanked for their help. He is proud of this. He said so. Meanwhile, Iran's military issued a triumphant statement declaring that it had "humiliated" the United States and Israel. The ayatollahs are dancing in the streets of Tehran, and why wouldn't they be? They closed the Strait of Hormuz, bled the global economy, survived U.S. and Israeli strikes on their nuclear sites, and emerged from the wreckage with their regime intact, their enrichment program unresolved, $24 billion coming their way, and the promise of more.

And Israel? Israel wasn't even in the room.

Not consulted. Not included. Not warned. The country most existentially threatened by an Iranian bomb was simply handed a ceasefire framework it didn't ask for, told to stop hitting Hezbollah targets in Beirut, and informed by the President of the United States that its Prime Minister is "a very difficult guy" who "should be very thankful." On another call, according to multiple sourced reports, Trump reportedly screamed at Netanyahu: "You're f---ing crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. Everybody hates Israel because of you." That is how America's closest ally in the Middle East was treated while Trump was busy cutting deals with the people who chant "Death to Israel" at Friday prayers.  (Ed note: WOW. Don't sugar coat it, tell it like it is!)      (Read More)

Israel vows to stay in south Lebanon; if Iran strikes, we’ll hit it ‘with full force’

Government ministers slam deal between US and Iran to end war, say Israel not bound by terms of the agreement; opposition accuses Netanyahu of failing the Israeli public.

Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed Monday that the Israeli military will remain in southern Lebanon and warned that if Iran strikes, it will be hit “with full force,” promising that Israel will resist any pressure after the US and Iran agreed a deal to end the war that also reportedly includes a commitment to end hostilities in Lebanon. There was no immediate comment on the deal from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but far-right members of his coalition said Israel would not be bound by the terms of the agreement, while members of the opposition accused the premier of failing Israel’s citizens and betraying the armed forces. US and Iranian officials said early Monday that they had agreed on a framework for an agreement to end the war, which is expected to halt the US blockade of Iranian ports, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin 60 days of talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. According to Iranian and Pakistani sources, the agreement also includes a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese terror group backed by Iran. 

Israel, despite having started the war alongside the US, was not involved in the negotiations over the deal, which appears not to achieve the goals of the war that were set out by the US and Israel, including eliminating Iran’s nuclear program, depleting its ballistic missile stockpile, ending its support for terror proxies and creating the conditions for the fall of the regime. Israeli military action in Lebanon needs to be completely halted and the US bears responsibility for implementing the framework deal on ending the war, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Turkish, Iraqi and Egyptian counterparts on Monday in separate calls, according to his Telegram account.

However, Katz insisted that Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, where it is battling the Iran-backed Hezbollah “despite all the existing pressures and those that will still come.” “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy that determines that the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, to protect the border and Israeli communities from there against jihadist elements,” Katz said in a statement. He said the security zones will be “cleared of local residents, and all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, including the houses in the contact-line villages that served as terror outposts, will be destroyed.” (Read More)

Chief of Staff: 'We are prepared for fronts besides Lebanon'

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir spoke with the Northern Command and stressed the need for offensive operations in Lebanon to wear down Hezbollah's southern front and improve future security arrangements.

Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held discussions today with division and brigade commanders in the IDF Northern Command, approved operational plans, and highlighted the military's operational achievements in recent weeks. Zamir praised the commanders for their initiative, determination, and offensive operations, emphasizing that the IDF continues to operate across all fronts while maintaining a high level of readiness.

The Chief of Staff said that Lebanon remains the IDF's main area of focus, while preparations are also being made for other arenas. He said the operation in the Bofor area is aimed at delaying Hezbollah, damaging its underground infrastructure and command capabilities, and preventing the organization from developing advanced firepower capabilities. Zamir added that the forces are operating with "operational superiority" and receiving extensive fire support from both ground and air units.

"We continue to act proactively and offensively, deepen the maneuver where necessary, strengthen the defense, and remove the threat from the residents of the north," he said. He noted that each additional operational achievement contributes to weakening Hezbollah's southern front and improving future security arrangements, which will be determined through negotiations mediated by the United States between the political leaderships and the Lebanese government. (Source)

Trump announces US-Iran peace deal has been completed, Strait of Hormuz to reopen

“Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated in a post on X/Twitter.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that a peace deal between the US and Iran has been completed in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.“The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” Trump stated, adding his “congratulations to all.” “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,” Trump continued.

In a subsequent post on Truth Social, Trump clarified that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened to allow the transit of commercial vessels on Friday after the agreement is signed. Trump told the New York Times in an interview after the agreement was announced that if Iran failed to reach a final agreement on nuclear issues, the US would restart attacks against Tehran. He also told the NYT that the deal would ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is “permanently toll free.”

Trump's announcement came shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated the deal had been reached in a post on X/Twitter.“Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Sharif stated. According to a Maariv report citing Israeli sources familiar with the matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump that Israel would not consider itself bound to the stopping of military operations in Lebanon.  (Ed note: Yep, President Trump just threw Israel under the bus. This should get very interesting in a hurry.)    (Read More)

'He should be very thankful': Trump slams 'difficult' Netanyahu following Iran deal

Speaking to The New York Times, President Trump defends his new Iran pact, claiming it saved Israel from obliteration.

US President Donald Trump claimed during a Sunday interview with The New York Times that his freshly brokered pact with Tehran will guarantee that the Strait of Hormuz remains completely open without transit fees indefinitely. He further asserted that the diplomatic breakthrough successfully shielded Israel from nuclear devastation, overriding fierce pushback from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The president warned that if the Islamic Republic fails to reach a definitive atomic accord - a process administration aides indicate is slated to commence this Friday in Switzerland - he is prepared to reignite military operations against Tehran. Alternatively, Trump proposed an arrangement where the United States would serve as a regional protector in exchange for a 20 percent share of Middle Eastern revenues.

The remarks were delivered during a 28-minute phone dialogue initiated by Trump from the White House executive residence, followed by a brief secondary call. Throughout the conversation, the president maintained that his late-February military offensive against Iran, paired with the subsequent maritime blockade enforced after Tehran shut the strait, completely reshaped regional dynamics to Washington's advantage.

During the interview with the Times, Trump lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their assistance in facilitating the truce. Conversely, he leveled harsh criticism at Netanyahu, accusing the Israeli leader of orchestrating military maneuvers that nearly broke the emerging peace deal. “He’s a very difficult guy," Trump said of Netanyahu, “and to be honest with you, he should be very thankful to us for doing this. Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn’t be around for two hours." (Ed note: So President Trump is doing a victory lap with a big enemy, The New York Times?)   (Read More)

Iran Won. America Still Refuses to Win.

Israel must start working harder—and, more importantly, thinking harder. Israel has, in many ways, returned to an earlier strategic position, partly through its own choices. It had opportunities to dismantle Hezbollah more decisively and failed to seize them. It debated the future of Gaza but ultimately stopped short of implementing some of the most far-reaching proposals that were discussed. Israel therefore finds it difficult to criticize the United States for stepping back from pursuing a total victory against Iran, its secondary front, when Israel itself stepped back from pursuing total victory in what it viewed as its own secondary arenas.

During the recent war, Israel inflicted severe blows on its enemies. Yet many of those organizations recovered far more quickly than expected. This does not mean they returned to full operational capability, nor does it mean that the infrastructure and organizational systems in Lebanon or Gaza were fully restored. But the broader story is more important. The real problem is that Western societies often demonstrate a willingness to fight, but a limited willingness to pursue decisive victory or bear the full costs that victory may demand.

For the United States, that reluctance often centers on the prospect of losing soldiers. For Israel, it may manifest differently: a deep reluctance to employ overwhelming force against enemies, even while facing organizations committed to its destruction. Meanwhile, many of the groups confronting Israel and the West embrace a radically different worldview, one that glorifies sacrifice and martyrdom. This creates an asymmetric conflict in which one side seeks to minimize casualties while the other may regard death in battle as the goal to achieve, not avoid. Ignoring that ideological gap risks misunderstanding the nature of the conflict, and its baring on Western Decline. (Ed note: It can be added that just about every time in the recent past that Israel has gone in to administer the "coup de grâce" to an enemy, a US President has stepped in to stop them. But this thing ain't over yet. Any bets/thoughts on how long before Hezbollah hits Israel again?)   (Read More)

IDF confirms: Hezbollah commander behind attack on US troops eliminated

Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander wanted for the 2007 killing of US soldiers, was eliminated by the IDF, Israel says.

The IDF confirmed on Sunday that in a precise strike in southern Lebanon on Friday, it eliminated Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior commander in the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Daqduq held a series of senior positions within Hezbollah and served as a source of knowledge with extensive operational experience. In recent years, he played a central role in advancing terrorist attacks and combat operations against the State of Israel and IDF soldiers.

Among his various positions, Daqduq served as the Commander of the security unit of the eliminated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a commander in the Radwan Force, a commander in the Operations Department of the Nasser Unit, the Head of Hezbollah’s Infantry Unit and the Commander of the “Golan Terrorist Network," a terrorist cell responsible for Hezbollah’s entrenchment in Syria and the establishment of military infrastructure near the Israeli border. The unit’s activities were exposed by the IDF in 2019.

Over the past several years, Daqduq led much of Hezbollah’s operational planning against IDF soldiers along the Lebanon border. In 2007, he was imprisoned by US forces after orchestrating the kidnapping and murder of five American soldiers. The IDF stated that Daqduq's elimination constitutes another significant blow to Hezbollah’s senior chain of command by eliminating one of the most prominent operatives responsible for terrorist activity against Israeli civilians, IDF soldiers, and American servicemembers. (Ed note: Hezbollah commander Ali Musa Daqduq was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, in an area south of the Litani River.)  (Source)

Trump: Israeli strike on Beirut shouldn’t have happened; none of Lebanon should be struck in future

US President Donald Trump knocks Israel for attacking Beirut today and says the IDF should not carry out any more attacks on any part of Lebanon moving forward. “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a peace deal with Iran,” Trump writes on Truth Social, stopping short of definitively declaring that an memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran will actually be signed today.

“Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured or killed and should not disrupt this important process,” Trump says, suggesting that Israel overreacted by targeting Beirut in response to a Hezbollah attack on northern Israel.

“We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down,” Trump says. “There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel,” he adds.

Trump notably suggests that the MOU with Iran will cover all of Lebanon and not just Beirut, after Israeli officials signaled they would only comply with refraining from targeting the capital but would continue operations deep into southern Lebanon. “This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!” Trump adds. (Ed note: All these Presidents think that they are great "Peace Makers"but none of them speak to or resolve the problem of the hatred of Israel, and Israel will be left to fight after the US Presidents have gone. What say you?) (Source)

'Israel won't tolerate fire into its territory': IDF strikes in Dahieh

The IDF struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Beirut's Dahieh district in response to Hezbollah fire toward Israel.

The Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah terror targets in Beirut's Dahieh district on Sunday afternoon in response to drone launches toward Israeli territory earlier in the day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that "the IDF has just struck terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Dahieh district of Beirut in response to Hezbollah fire toward Israeli territory. Israel will not tolerate fire into its territory."

The strike followed the infiltration of three unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Lebanon into Israeli airspace during the morning hours. Two drones exploded in the Shlomi area of the western Galilee, while a third later exploded in a military zone inside Israel. The IDF said all of the aerial targets fell in military areas near the border and not within civilian communities. The military added that there were no casualties and that the circumstances of the incidents are under investigation.

Cabinet member and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded to the incident by calling for a strong Israeli response. "The fire toward northern communities is a test of the Dahieh equation that the Prime Minister announced," Smotrich said. "I call on him to implement it with determination and force and bring down more buildings in Dahieh today. We are in critical days that will shape the region for many years. We promised security to the residents of the north, and we must deliver.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he would present his position during discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu and call for a harsh response to any violation by Hezbollah. "For every drone, a missile. For every violation, fire. For every UAV, Dahieh should shake. For every hair on the head of an IDF soldier, a thousand Hezbollah terrorists. Terror is not contained - it is defeated," Ben Gvir said.

Last week, after a Hezbollah attack on Israeli territory, the IDF carried out a strike in Beirut, a move that was followed by an Iranian attack involving approximately 23 missiles launched at Israel and two waves of Israeli Air Force strikes in Iran. Defense Minister Katz stated last week that "every attack on northern communities will lead to a strike in Dahieh," the Beirut neighborhood regarded as Hezbollah's main stronghold in Lebanon. (Ed note: This could hurt the so called Peace Process, but Israel is sick of the terrorist group called Hezbollah and should defend itself, even if President Trump and Iran don't want them to do so!) (Source)

Trump says Iran deal to be signed tomorrow, Hormuz to open 'immediately after' (SUNDAY)

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that a deal with Iran is set to be signed on Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz will immediately open following the signing, according to a Truth Social post. "The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL," wrote Trump. Trump emphasized that the deal was significantly different than that of the Obama administration, which he described as "an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon, which Iran would have had six years ago, and would have used long before now."

"My Agreement with Iran is the exact opposite, A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON!" said Trump. "In fact, they no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor will they have one, either through purchase, development, or any other form of procurement." He added that "no money will exchange hands," attempting to further differentiate the deal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with Trump accusing then-president Barack Obama of paying "Hundreds of Billions of Dollars" to Iran, "including 1.7 Billion Dollars in green, cold cash."

"At the appropriate time, when all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust, buried deep under the powerful sunken granite mountains, thanks to our beautiful B-2 Bombers and their brilliant pilots, and downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States," Trump added. "We look forward to working with Iran, and the entire Middle East, long into the future," continued Trump. "Hopefully, this process will all work out quickly, easily, and smoothly. If it doesn’t, we have the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again!" (Read More)

Iran says signing of deal with US will not take place on (SUNDAY)

The signing of the Islamabad memorandum with the United States will not be on Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei says, according to state media.

He adds that the possibility of signing the Islamabad memorandum in the coming days could not be ruled out, but caution was needed regarding any comment on the signing date due to the “hesitation of the other side,” referring to the US. (Source)

Iran's Secret 14-Point Deal With the U.S. Revealed

Iran has published its draft MOU with Washington and the document excludes both its ballistic missile program and its proxy forces entirely, blindsiding Israel and triggering fury in Jerusalem.

Iran has published the terms of a draft 14-point memorandum of understanding with the United States, revealing sweeping demands that include $300 billion in economic reconstruction funding, full lifting of the naval blockade, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian authority, while explicitly excluding both its ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxy forces from any negotiations. The document, reported by Iran's state-linked Mehr news agency, has not been formally approved by Tehran, but its publication marked the most detailed public accounting yet of Iran's position heading into what would be a 60-day negotiating window on a final nuclear agreement.

Israel had entered the current conflict with a firm, publicly stated demand: any agreement with Iran must address three core issues — the nuclear program, the ballistic missile project, and the dismantling of Tehran's network of armed proxy organizations across the Middle East. The revelation that both the missile program and the proxy file had been removed entirely from the American initiative drew fierce opposition in Israel, where officials had hoped to block a deal.

The one-page MOU is being negotiated between President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials, both directly and through intermediaries. In its current form, the framework would declare an end to hostilities and open a 30-day period of negotiations on a more detailed accord covering the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.

Iran's 14-point draft sets demanding preconditions before substantive talks can begin. Tehran is calling for an immediate and permanent halt to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, along with an explicit American commitment not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs. On the economic side, Iran is demanding suspension of oil and petrochemical sanctions, full access to its frozen financial assets, and a U.S.-funded economic reconstruction package of no less than $300 billion. An additional $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds would need to be released during the negotiating period itself, with half available to Tehran before substantive talks even begin. (Ed note:  After reading the above article, a serious question for consideration. If President Trump throws the state of Israel under the bus because of his BIG DEAL with Iran, will God throw the United States under the bus because of Trump?) (Read More)

Araghchi faces backlash over US-Iran peace deal as protesters gather outside Foreign Ministry office

Critics in Iran have opposed the proposed agreement, arguing that it compromises national interests and gives away valuable leverage in the Strait of Hormuz. A fresh political controversy has emerged in Iran after protesters gathered outside a Foreign Ministry office in the northeastern city of Mashhad, voicing opposition to comments made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about a possible peace agreement with the United States. The demonstration comes at a crucial moment as discussions over a potential US-Iran peace framework continue to attract attention across the region. Araghchi's remarks, made during a televised interview, sparked criticism from hardline groups that oppose direct engagement with Washington and remain deeply sceptical of any agreement with the United States.

According to footage shared by Fars News Agency, protesters assembled outside the Foreign Ministry building in Mashhad on Saturday. Women dressed in black chadors were seen waving red and black flags while chanting slogans against the foreign minister, including "death to dishonourable Araghchi, the infiltrator". The protest follows comments made by Araghchi during an interview with state television on Friday. Speaking about the proposal, Araghchi said the agreement under discussion would include the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, which was imposed in response to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"The administration of Strait of Hormuz will no longer be the same as before," he added, describing the strategic waterway as one of Iran's "main instruments of deterrence". Although he did not announce that a final deal had been reached, his remarks indicated that diplomatic engagement remained under consideration.The proposed agreement has faced resistance from hardline figures in Iran. Critics argue that such a deal would not serve Iran's interests and could weaken Tehran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. They have also accused Iranian negotiators of making excessive concessions during the talks. Additional videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators outside the Foreign Ministry building in Tehran chanting "Araghchi, resign" and "Ghalibaf, resign," AFP reported. (Read More)

WATCH: IDF strikes Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut hours before US-Iran deal signing

"Israel will not tolerate fire directed at its territory," the statement said.

The IDF is conducting strikes in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut in response to Hezbollah fire toward Israeli territory, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Sunday in a joint statement. "Israel will not tolerate fire directed at its territory," the statement said. The strikes precisely targeted one of Hezbollah's command centers located within Dahiyeh used by the terror organization to "advance terrorist attacks against the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon," the military added.

Ebrahim Rezaei, an Iranian lawmaker and the military advisor of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said in a post on X/Twitter that the only way towards any sort of agreement with the United States is to "discipline the Zionist regime." "If this rabid dog is not controlled, the signing of the understanding will not dry up, and it will bite our feet," Rezaei wrote. Since early Sunday morning, several drones launched by Hezbollah have crossed into Israeli airspace, prompting sirens to be sounded in northern Israel. In response, several Israeli ministers called on the government to intensify attacks against Hezbollah and Dahiyeh.

'For every drone, Dahiyeh must tremble,' Ben-Gvir says. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Netanyahu to implement his Dahiyeh doctrine with "determination and force and to demolish buildings in Dahiyeh today" in a post to X, adding that the government had "promised security to the residents of the north, and we must fulfill it!"In his own X post, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir echoed the sentiment. "For every drone, a missile. For every violation, fire. For every drone, Dahiyeh must tremble. For every hair on the head of an IDF soldier, a thousand Hezbollah terrorists," Ben-Gvir wrote. "Against terror, we do not contain, we crush!" (Read More)

IDF preparing to stop Lebanon ground advance amid pending US-Iran deal - report

The IDF's 36th Division has continued to push north in Lebanon, according to KAN, with some reports saying they have neared the large Lebanese city of Nabatieh.

Israel is preparing for the possibility that the pending US-Iran agreement will result in calls to stop the IDF ground advance against Hezbollah in Lebanon, KAN News reported on Saturday. KAN cited Israeli security sources as saying that the IDFis preparing to stop its deeper attacks into Lebanon to avoid harming the US-Iran deal, but will not withdraw from the security zone as part of that agreement. The sources also said that the issue of the IDF's full withdrawal will be discussed with Lebanon during talks in Washington later in June.

The IDF's 36th Division has continued to push north in Lebanon, according to KAN, with some reports saying they have neared the large Lebanese city of Nabatieh. The military said that Nabatieh is an important Hezbollah stronghold and the IDF, therefore, must seize the opportunity to reach the city.KAN noted that the IDF has limited its operations in Beirut due to the pending US-Iran deal. While sources reported Hezbollah had agreed not to fire upon northern Israeli communities, the Prime Minister's Office described the reports as "fake news." (Ed note: The city of Nabatieh is located about 19 miles southeast of the city of Sidon and about 23 miles northeast of the city of Tyre. Because everyone is getting out of town due to the war, a pre-conflict population estimate is between 40,000 and 100,000.)   (Source)

Iran booby traps entrances, collapses tunnels leading to cache of enriched uranium - report

This comes a day after a senior administration official told reporters that the US and Iran are close to a deal requiring Iran to relinquish its uranium, which has been enriched to near-bomb grade.

Iran has escalated efforts to seal off its stockpile of enriched uranium, collapsing tunnels, and placing explosive mines at entrances in recent weeks, CNN reported on Saturday, citing five sources familiar with US intelligence. This comes a day after a senior administration official told reporters that the US and Iran are close to a deal requiring Iran to relinquish its uranium, which has been enriched to near-bomb grade, to the US.

Reuters also reported on Friday that the emerging US-Iran deal will include the dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program and allow the US to collect the regime's enriched uranium. However, details of how the uranium will be extracted have not been made clear. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that retrieving the uranium is one of the US’s priorities in negotiations, although he has claimed that only the US and possibly China have the capability to do so.

A CNN report from Friday stated that the US had originally planned to launch a ground mission into Iran to recover the uranium, but that Trump had paused the operation. In an interview with 103FM, former defense minister Yoav Gallant said that the US and Israel could and should have combined forces to retrieve the uranium during the war. “We should have gone and brought the enriched uranium by force in a military operation during the campaign. That would have uprooted the nuclear program from Iran,” he said. (Ed note: Gee, this kind of tells President Trump how they feel about their uranium, and what they think about his negiotations, doesn't it?) (Read More)

'We hold the upper hand': Araghchi details phased peace deal with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi outlines the two-stage US peace pact, demanding an explicit Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and vowing not to leave Hezbollah alone.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that while a definitive peace treaty with the United States has not yet been fully locked in, any final pact will unfold in two distinct phases, strategically shifting the contentious nuclear debate to the second half of the timeline. Detailing the current diplomatic and military state of affairs, Araghchi confidently championed Iran's defensive position, asserting, "The best time to end a war is when we hold the upper hand; we are truly victorious on the battlefield."

He reflected on the intensity of the recent combat operations, claiming, "We stood against the world's apparent superpower for 40 days." Addressing the public's need for transparency regarding the highly sensitive and unfolding geopolitical talks, Araghchi emphasized that patience is required but promised total clarity down the line. "The final agreement hasn’t been reached yet; if it is finalized, I promise to explain every single clause," he stated, further clarified the structural sequencing of the emerging framework, "The agreement includes two stages, and we have moved the nuclear issue to the second stage."

Araghchi also forcefully reaffirmed Iran's unwavering dedication to its regional proxy network and axis of resistance, making it clear that a ceasefire must extend beyond Iran's borders. "We will never leave Hezbollah in Lebanon alone, and the end of the war will also encompass Lebanon and all other fronts. "He reinforced this regional mandate by adding, "Ending the war in the agreement also means Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied areas in southern Lebanon, and we have stated this explicitly to the other side." Turning to the specific diplomatic concessions and parameters being carved out in the written documents, the Foreign Minister highlighted a major sovereignty acknowledgment from Washington. (Ed note: Did Israel get thrown under the bus as FM Abbas Araghchi just said to President Trump, "In your face, Trump.) (Read More)

No nuclear talks without implementation of interim deal, Iran's Araghchi says

Araghchi added that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to the pre-war era, with Iran and Oman maintaining sole sovereignty over the critical waterway.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that nuclear talks with the United States would only take place at a later stage and would not proceed unless a proposed interim deal was implemented, state TV reported. He said the interim deal would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending conflicts on multiple fronts, adding that a memorandum of understanding had not yet been signed and could still change. 

US and Iranian officials have expressed optimism about the negotiations, noting that both sides have agreed on a text and that a deal could be signed as early as Sunday. Araghchi said the agreement demonstrates Iran was the winner of the conflict, stating, "Iran is the winner of the war with the US."

Araghchi said that management of the Strait of Hormuz would not return to the pre-war era, that sovereignty over the strait belonged to Iran and Oman, and that Iran would secure safe passage for ships through it.  (Source)

Trump tells Netanyahu it's time for war to end, calls Iran deal 'great' - report

Axios cited a source with direct knowledge of the call who said Netanyahu, who is not directly involved in US-Iran talks, was caught off guard by the pending agreement.


US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that it is time to end the war with Iran, Axios reported on Saturday. A senior US official told Axios that Trump called Netanyahu on Thursday evening and described the potential US-Iran agreement as "a great deal." "This is the deal," said Trump. "It's a great deal, and it's time to end this war."

The official said that Netanyahu expressed to Trump his concern that the deal must address Iran's nuclear program, but avoided any significant argument with the US president. "Bibi probably understood that a deal was about to happen and that he could not stop it," said the official. Axios cited a source with direct knowledge of the call who said Netanyahu was caught off guard by the pending agreement.

The source added that the Israeli prime minister was not directly involved in the talks and had been contacting his Washington allies for information on the status of US-Iran negotiations . Accrding to Axios, Israeli officials are concerned about the contents of the US-Iran deal, but have avoided publicly criticizing it. "I understand the Israeli skepticism," a US official told reporters on Friday. "Hezbollah killed a lot of innocent Israelis, especially Israeli civilians. So we don't expect any country to give up their right of self-defense. (Ed note: What the Western mind, President Trump and many of the previous Presidents do not seem to understand is that with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas this is not a policical war, it's a RELIGIOUS war. Their Religious Directive of Doctrine is the annihilation of the Jew and the destruction of the state of Israel. This is why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is so very concerned. This effort by Trump only "kicks the can down the road.")  (Read More)

IDF issues evacuation warnings for 4 more south Lebanon villages ahead of strikes (SIDON)

The IDF warns the residents of four more villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of airstrikes on the Hezbollah terror group.

“For your safety, you must immediately evacuate your homes in the villages and towns and immediately move to the north of the Zahrani River,” warns army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee. (Ed note: The Zahrani River flows through Southern Lebanon, entering the Mediterranean Sea just north of the city of Sidon.)  (Source)

IDF strikes Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon

IDF says it carried out precise airstrikes, dismantling five rocket launchers used in attacks on IDF troops, along with a vehicle-mounted launcher, a command center, and operatives near Israeli forces. 

 
IDF soldiers continue to operate against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in order to remove threats to Israeli civilians.

In precise strikes conducted by the Israeli Air Force, and guided by the ground troops, five rocket launchers used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to fire rockets at IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon were dismantled, including a launcher carried on a vehicle. In addition, a Hezbollah command center and terrorists operating in close proximity to IDF soldiers were struck. (Source)

Israel rules out withdrawal from Lebanon, Syria and Gaza; Iran says proposed deal includes all fronts

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said a proposed memorandum of understanding would end conflicts across multiple fronts, including in Lebanon, adding, "The MoU will announce the end of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon. We will never leave Lebanon alone."

As Iran and the United States near a peace deal, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said Israel will continue maintaining a military presence in territories it currently controls in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, indicating that any future regional agreement may not lead to troop withdrawals from those areas. In a statement posted on X on Friday, Katz said Israel's security policy would remain unchanged and that the military would continue operating in what it considers security zones across multiple fronts. "Israel will not withdraw from the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza," Katz said. “Our security doctrine is sharp and clear: we act against both near and distant threats and strive for decisive outcomes, not compromises or concessions.”

His remarks came as reports in Iranian media suggested that Tehran and Washington were moving closer to a broader understanding aimed at reducing tensions across the region, including in Lebanon. Katz said Israel had drawn lessons from the October 7 attacks and would continue to hold positions it considers vital for national security. He stated that Israeli forces would keep defending the country's borders from locations including Mount Hermon, parts of southern Lebanon, the occupied West Bank and large areas of Gaza. According to Katz, Israel's approach is centred on removing security threats rather than relying on diplomatic concessions. His comments indicate that future regional negotiations could face obstacles if they require Israeli forces to leave territories currently under military control.

The Israeli defence minister also addressed ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, saying Israel supports efforts to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons but would preserve its freedom to act independently if required. "The United States is leading efforts toward an agreement based on American interests, including the shared interest with Israel of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons," Katz said. He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's defence leadership had directed the military to prepare for different scenarios involving Iran. (Read More)

Minister Israel Katz confirms Israel will not withdraw from security zone

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will continue independent operations against Iran, will not withdraw from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza, and will keep operating in northern Judea and Samaria.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday afternoon, amid reports of a possible agreement with Iran, that Israel will not withdraw from security areas. At the start of his remarks, the minister noted that US President Donald Trump is currently advancing an agreement with Iran based on US interests, including what he described as “the shared interest with Israel - preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons." He said Israel expects the US to “uphold this principle, as well as additional principles regarding missiles and proxy terrorism."

Katz said that Israel and the US “have dealt Iran severe blows that have set back its capabilities by many years." He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he have instructed the IDF to prepare so that Israel will retain, in the future, “the ability to act independently to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons."

The defense minister clarified that “Israel will not withdraw from the security areas in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza." According to him, the IDF will continue to defend Israel’s borders “from Mount Hermon, the Lebanese mountains, the regions of our land in Samaria, and most of the Gaza Strip - against threats from jihadist forces and organizations, as a central lesson from the events of October 7." (Read More)

Trump Explodes after Iran Denies Deal - Is the U.S.-Iran Agreement Already Falling Apart?

Hours after Trump declared victory, Iran denied any deal exists, attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and accused Washington of lying. The weekend summit is now in serious doubt.

Iran's Foreign Ministry denied Friday that a final agreement with the United States was imminent ahead of proposed talks in Switzerland this weekend, saying significant work remained to be done, even as President Trump lashed out at what he called Iranian disinformation about the state of the negotiations.

The dual salvos injected fresh turbulence into what had appeared, just 24 hours earlier, to be a diplomatic breakthrough. President Trump had said as recently as Monday that a deal to end the war could be reached in "two or three days," and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen "immediately" after such an agreement. On June 11, Trump said he expected a deal to be signed in the coming days, possibly this weekend in Europe, after announcing he had canceled planned strikes on Iran and that a settlement had been reached.

But Tehran moved quickly to complicate that picture. Iranian officials said the country had not agreed to any memorandum of understanding or framework deal with the United States, and that there was still considerable distance between the two sides. A senior Iranian official linked with the talks said Iran had not yet agreed to any memorandum of understanding or framework of a deal with the United States.

President Trump, furious at what he characterized as deliberate Iranian disinformation about the terms and the timeline, pushed back sharply. Calling to Fox & Friends, he blamed "fake news" and described media outlets as "crooked," saying that coverage of Iran was falsely portraying Tehran as succeeding. Trump accused Iran of acting in bad faith by publicly misrepresenting the state of the talks. (Ed note: Oh My. All that happened here is that the "Deal Maker" just got had by the Iranians, and they managed to get Trump to stop bombing for a while. President Trump was running around claiming victory, and the Iranians pantsed him.)  (Read More)

Trump blasts Iran over leaked terms, warns regime to 'get its act together'

Pres. Donald Trump sharply criticizes Iran, insisting terms reported in media not part of written agreement, says Tehran cannot be trusted and issues stern warning following an alleged drone attack against Indian vessels leaving the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that details of the deal leaked by Iran are "fake news." In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing." "What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth. Very dishonorable people to deal with. With them, there is no such thing as dealing in good faith. AMAZING!" "Also, their totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together, and FAST!," he concluded.

On Thursday, Trump announced, "Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening. Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. 

The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized - Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly." (Ed note: If President Trump says, "Iran can not be trusted" why is he negotiating with them, and why is his bad deal making the fault of 'fake news'?) (Source)

Trump says agreement with Iran approved by all parties involved, including Israel, cancels strikes

US President Donald Trump announced that he had canceled scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran on Thursday night, after a deal with Iran had been agreed upon. The deal was approved "both in concept and great detail" by all involved parties, including the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and multiple other Middle Eastern countries, Trump wrote. The blockade will remain in place until the deal is finalized, Trump said, adding that a military operation against Iran's Kharg Island is off the table for now.

No date was given for the signing, but Trump said it could happen this weekend in Europe, with US Vice President JD Vance set to attend. Notably, Israeli sources told Channel 12 that Israel does not recognize reaching an agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Trump on Thursday night, as Trump confirmed in comments to the press. Reportedly, Trump's announcement took Netanyahu by surprise, according to CNN.

However, the Prime Minister's office said that Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Trump's commitment to the ceasefire agreement with Iran, which "will include the removal of enriched nuclear material, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production, and an end to Iran’s support for its terrorist proxies in the region." Israel is not part of the US's memorandum of understanding with Iran. (Read More)

Iran denies agreeing to deal, says US accepted their proposals

Iran has not approved any draft or memorandum of agreement with US, but is likely to do so due to US' acceptance of their demands, Fars claims.

The Fars News Agency on Thursday night denied US President Donald Trump's claim that an agreement had been reached for a long-term ceasefire. According to Fars, an "informed source" said that the IRGC has not approved any draft agreement or memorandum with the US. At the same time, the report said that since the US has accepted Iran's proposed text, there is a "relatively high" likelihood that the agreement will be approved by Iran's top decision makers.

Al Arabiya claimed that Iran's Foreign Minister will arrive in Pakistan on Saturday. Meanwhile, CNN reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was caught by surprise following US President Donald Trump's social media announcement declaring a deal with Iran. An Israeli source told CNN that Netanyahu, who was in a security meeting about Iran at the time of the post, had not been aware of any impending agreement or the approval of any agreement. 

Earlier on Thursday evening, Trump announced that he had called off strikes on Iran and that the regime has agreed to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin nuclear negotiations." Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

According to the American President, "Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others." He stressed that "the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect until this transaction is finalized. The time and place of the signing will be announced shortly." (Source)

Tehran will insist on right to enrich uranium in nuclear talks with US, Iranian media reports

Iran’s semi-official IRNA news agency says that Tehran will not give up its right to enrich uranium under any deal it makes with the United States.

Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program are expected to begin after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which US President Donald Trump has claimed could be signed as early as this weekend.

IRNA reports that Iran will “negotiate only the nuclear program solely within the framework of the Islamic Republic’s fundamental principles.” “Issues such as Iran’s right to enrich uranium and the retention of enriched material by the Islamic Republic of Iran will be emphasized with a view to their inclusion in the final agreement,” it says.  (Ed note: Whatever President Trump is claiming, this is what Iran believes, this is their Religion. Trump has won nothing but hot air.)  (Source)

Red Lines Remain: Iran Stalls Final Verification of Trump's Highly Touted Peace Framework

The Iranian government has issued a highly cautious response to Western declarations of an imminent peace deal, emphasizing that critical diplomatic hurdles remain unresolved. Following statements from Washington implying that a comprehensive framework had been fully approved, authorities in Tehranmoved quickly to clarify their stance. The state foreign ministry revealed that while significant diplomatic progress has been achieved through neutral regional channels, substantial disagreements persist regarding the specific details of the text.

According to official updates published by the state affiliated Tasnim news agency, the regime is actively utilizing third party channels to navigate the high stakes diplomatic standoff. The ministry spokesperson confirmed that both Qatar and Pakistan are currently operating as active intermediaries between Washington and Tehran. However, the Iranian government maintains that sudden shifts in American foreign policy and the introduction of unexpected conditions have repeatedly disrupted the delicate flow of the diplomatic process.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reinforced this rigid geopolitical posture by issuing a direct warning regarding the ongoing negotiations. Araqchi stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated its positions clearly, and the state will not compromise under any circumstances on what it defines as its absolute red lines. The statement indicates that despite severe economic and military pressures, the leadership in Tehran is unwilling to accept a unilateral dictation of terms.

The regime also sought to downplay media reports regarding the scheduling of an imminent international summit to formalize the understanding. Iranian diplomatic sources stated that while it is true that the vast majority of the clauses within the draft document were previously finalized, the American side repeatedly attempted to introduce new, coercive demands. The ministry added that what is currently being reported across international outlets regarding the exact time and place of a signing ceremony consists entirely of premature media speculation. (Read More)

A Deal With Iran That Ignores Hezbollah Isn't a Peace Agreement. It's a Loaded Gun.

Israel and the United States are in constant contact right now, and the message from Jerusalem is unmistakable: Hezbollah cannot be folded into a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding as a protected entity. Any framework that does not explicitly address what sits on Israel's northern border is not a peace agreement. It is a diplomatic document wrapped around a loaded gun.

The argument is not complicated, though its implications are enormous. Hezbollah is not an independent Lebanese political actor with a militia problem. It is an Iranian force-projection asset, armed, funded, trained, and operationally directed through the IRGC's Quds Force. Its estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles are not Lebanese deterrence. They are Iranian deterrence, positioned inside Lebanon and pointed at Tel Aviv, Haifa, and every population center in between.

This is the core of what Jay, founder of Open Source Intel (OSINT613) and one of the most closely watched analysts covering the Middle East, has been pressing his 1.2 million followers to understand. Jay, who has been monitoring regional military and geopolitical developments since launching OSINT613 in the immediate aftermath of October 7, put it in terms that cut through the diplomatic fog. (Read More)