Donald Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal with Iran, stating that an agreement has been 'largely negotiated' and is close to finalization. However, Iranian officials have pushed back against this claim, creating uncertainty over the status of the Strait of Hormuz and other key issues.
Trump's Optimism and Iranian Skepticism
In a social media post, Trump said, 'An agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries.' He indicated that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil shipments, would be reopened as part of the deal. However, Iran's Fars news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that the strait would remain under Iranian control, calling Trump's assertion 'inconsistent with reality'.
Pakistan's Role in Mediation
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Trump on his peace efforts and expressed hope that Pakistan would host another round of US-Iran talks 'very soon'. Six weeks ago, US Vice-President JD Vance led a delegation to Islamabad for initial peace talks, which ended without an agreement. Pakistan's chief of defence forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on Saturday to discuss the crisis.
Other Key US News
Suspected Gunman Dies After White House Incident
A person who approached a White House security checkpoint and began firing at officers has died, according to federal officials. The White House was briefly locked down on Saturday after a sustained volley of gunshots was heard by reporters.
US Bans Green-Card Holders from African Nations
US authorities have temporarily banned green-card holders from entering the country if they have traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. The order aims to prevent Ebola from entering US borders.
Justice Department Removes January 6 News Releases
The Department of Justice has removed from its website news releases about criminal cases related to the January 6 Capitol attack, calling the information 'partisan propaganda'. This is part of the Trump administration's effort to rewrite the history of the assault.
Double Amputee Detained by ICE Speaks Out
Rodney Taylor, a Liberia-born barber, was detained by ICE for over a year before being released on May 1. He has since spoken at public events about his experience, highlighting the impact on his family.
Other Developments
- California Emergency: Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency due to a potential chemical disaster in Orange County, where a storage tank holding flammable methyl methacrylate threatened to fail.
- DNC Chair Under Fire: Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, faces calls to resign over a poorly handled autopsy report on Kamala Harris's 2024 election defeat, which omitted key factors like Joe Biden's decision to run and the Gaza conflict.
