United States and Iran prepare for potential framework agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a framework agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran is scheduled for signing on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The deal, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and includes technical talks for the following week. While Trump claims the agreement will end the Iranian nuclear threat, Iranian officials have been more cautious, suggesting the signing might occur in the coming days rather than Sunday. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that any agreement must include the release of frozen Iranian funds and the removal of foreign military forces. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed progress on a framework, citing preparations for an electronic signing to facilitate a 60-day ceasefire extension. Domestic opposition remains in Iran, where protesters in Mashhad and Tehran have demonstrated against Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, labeling the potential deal a betrayal. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the move as a failure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies.