US stock market climbs as US-Iran deal stirs hopes for end to energy chaos
Benchmark S&P 500 rises 1.7 percent, while tech-heavy Nasdaq jumps 3.1 percent. Published On 16 Jun 202616 Jun 2026 US stocks have rallied on hopes that the tentative deal to end the US-Israel war on Iran will restore stability to energy supply chains roiled by months of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 rose 1.7 percent on Monday, taking the benchmark index within touching distance of its all-time high. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite jumped 3.1 percent, aided by a 19.6 percent gain by SpaceX, which on Friday made the biggest market debut in history and minted the world’s first trillionaire in Elon Musk. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.9 percent, closing at a record high. Brent crude futures, the primary benchmark for global oil prices, fell nearly 5 percent to just above $83 a barrel, the lowest price since the first week of the conflict. Asian stock markets were largely flat on Monday morning, after surging the previous day on the back of US President Donald Trump’s announcement of his deal with Tehran. As of 01:30 GMT, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was 0.01 percent lower, while South Korea’s Kospi, the best-performing major index this year, was down 0.06 percent. In Taiwan, the TAIEX was up 0.2 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was down 0.07 percent. Jay Goldberg, a senior analyst for tech-related equities at the Chicago-based Seaport Research Partners, said the announcement of the US-Iran deal had tilted investors’ risk balancing act towards buying into the market. “To oversimplify, the debate has been: AI spending is strong, but there’s a war going on,” Goldberg told Al Jazeera. Advertisement “The war is over, it seems, so that side of the argument falls away. Investors are now feeling better about taking on more risk,” Goldberg said. While Washington and Tehran’s framework has raised hopes for a return to stability in global energy markets, it is expected to take months before energy flows fully return to normal, due to the massive backlog of vessels around the Strait of Hormuz and the need to ensure the waterway is safe from Iranian naval mines. According to the International Shipping Chamber, about 500 ships are still waiting to pass through the strait, which normally carries about one-fifth of global supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas. Adblock test (Why?)
Saudi Arabia draw 1–1 against Uruguay in World Cup opening game
By Reuters Published On 16 Jun 202616 Jun 2026 Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Uruguay in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, preventing another stunning upset in Group H after Spain’s earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde. The Saudis famously beat Argentina 2-1 in their 2022 tournament opener, and they looked on course for another shock, courtesy of Abdulelah Alamri’s 41st-minute strike, until winger Araujo stepped up 10 minutes from time at Miami Stadium on Monday. Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa certainly viewed it as a missed opportunity after European champions Spain dropped two points earlier in the day. “An opponent we should have beaten; we gave away minutes in the first half that suggest we didn’t do things right,” he said. “We had to win this match.” The Green Falcons ultimately had goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais to thank for their point, which will give them confidence they can progress to the knockout stage for the first time since the United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994. “We were very tired at the end, but to play this type of game with this opponent, and to get a point, it’s a positive for us,” said Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis. “I like the spirit and the passion of my players, but I think we have the quality to play better.” Abdulelah Alamri scores Saudi Arabia’s goal past Fernando Muslera [Molly Darlington/Getty Images via AFP] Uruguay, World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950, started the match with the swagger of favourites, and in the fifth minute, left winger Araujo turned on the edge of the box and angled a shot at goal, which Alowais parried away. Advertisement But barring a Federico Vinas diving header on the half-hour mark, which Alowais also pushed away, the Uruguayans lacked accuracy going forward and often looked a bit casual at the back. Donis had promised his side would be courageous, and their attack sparked into life in the 36th minute, when left-back Moteb Alharbi skipped through the midfield before being cynically cut down 30 metres (about 30 yards) from goal. Alamri had a shot from the centre of the box well saved by Fernando Muslera two minutes later, but the Uruguay goalkeeper was powerless to prevent the Saudis from going ahead soon afterwards. Mohamed Kanno got on the end of a Musab Aljuwayr corner, and although Muslera managed to save his powerful header, Alamri was on hand to tap the ball into the net. Bielsa made two changes at the break, and Uruguay’s game plan immediately looked more coherent – getting players down the flank to put crosses into the box and producing a string of headers for Alowais to deal with. Defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte came within inches of an equaliser when he beat the Saudi keeper in the 60th minute, only for his drilled shot to bounce off the far post. Vinas had been Uruguay’s best aerial threat all game, and it was no surprise that the breakthrough came from one of his headers 10 minutes from full-time. Alowais again denied the target man, but the ball fell straight to Araujo, who did well to control it and clip it into the net at the near post. Uruguay poured forward, looking for a winner in a frenetic finish; Federico Valverde and Jose Maria Gimenez coming closest with rasping shots from either side of the box, which Alowais did well to push past his posts. “I think the nerves of the debut worked against us, as did the need to go out and score,” said Vinas. “In the second half, we did a bit more of what the manager wanted. I’m frustrated and angry, but as captain, I’m happy with my teammates’ work.” Saudi fans celebrate [Alex Slitz/Getty Images via AFP] Adblock test (Why?)
Who is Vozinha, Cape Verde’s viral goalkeeper at the World Cup?
From his hometown of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde, Vozinha has been his jersey name throughout his club career. Published On 16 Jun 202616 Jun 2026 Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha broke down in tears at the end of the 0-0 draw with Spain after the 40-year-old was mobbed by his teammates following a stunning display as he denied the European champions victory in their World Cup opener. Cape Verde were pinned back in their own half for much of Monday’s game, but whenever Spain broke through their dogged rearguard, Vozinha came to the rescue. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list His heroics earned him the player of the match, pulling off a string of saves at the end of the first half to deny Ferran Torres, Pedri and Aymeric Laporte. Here’s everything we know about the Cape Verde goalkeeper: Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Vozinha, celebrates at the end of the 2026 World Cup Group H match between Spain and Cape Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 [AFP] Where does Vozinha play? Vozinha goalkeeps for Chaves in Portugal’s second-tier football league. The World Cup is by far the biggest stage he has reached, but Vozinha began his club career at home with Batuque FC, before transferring to CS Mindelense. The veteran player’s experience comes from the myriad clubs he has represented – from Progresso in Angola to Zimbru Chisinau in Moldova, Gil Vicente in Portugal, AEL Limassol in Cyprus and AS Trencin in Slovakia, before arriving at Chaves. Is Vozinha his real name? No, Vozinha is a moniker for Josimar Jose Evora Dias. It came from his grandparents, whom he spent most of his time with as his father was in the military and his mother was working. The name checks out, since it means “little granny” in Portuguese. Advertisement From his hometown of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde, Vozinha has been his jersey name throughout the nomadic club pilgrimage across Africa and Europe. “When I arrived in Angola, there was another goalkeeper named Josimar, and I said, ‘I am not going to put Josimar II on the shirt’. If everyone knew me as Vozinha in Cape Verde, that’s what I would be,” he told FIFA in an interview earlier this year. What did Vozinha say after the match? The Cape Verde keeper was reduced to tears by his heroics and fairytale World Cup debut. “Very proud… It is an honour for me to represent my country,” Vozinha told reporters of his island nation, the third smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup. “I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and, unfortunately, they were not here; they died a few years before, and they did everything for me and my life,” he added. “Also, my mum, she didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. The money for the visa, we didn’t manage on time, and I would like her to be here.” Is Vozinha world-famous now? Yes, on all counts. The goalkeeper’s Instagram following jumped from a modest 500,000 to nearly 5 million within a few hours of full-time in the Spain match. His quiet brilliance was spotlighted on the world’s biggest stage for all to see. French football star Paul Pogba took to social media after the match in praise of Vozinha. “The Cape Verde goalkeeper is really something, waaaaw,” he wrote. Adblock test (Why?)
Tunisia sack boss Sabri Lamouchi after World Cup thrashing by Sweden
Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi pays the price for 5-1 football defeat to Sweden in Group F opener at World Cup 2026. Published On 15 Jun 202615 Jun 2026 Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked by Tunisia after just one game of World Cup 2026. The 54-year-old former France international was sacked the day after Tunisia’s 5-1 trouncing by Sweden in their opening Group F football game in Monterrey, Mexico, on Sunday night. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Tunisian officials have installed Mondher Kebaier, who led the national team from 2019 to 2022 and has been in a technical director role since last year, as interim boss ahead of the second group game against Japan in the early hours of Sunday, also in Monterrey. The 56-year-old previously guided the Eagles of Carthage to the final of the Arab Cup in 2021, losing to Algeria, before a quarterfinal exit in AFCON the following year. Speaking before his departure, Lamouchi said his side had been punished for a string of costly mistakes and after the game admitted: “It’s a difficult loss. It’s painful. Starting the competition with this bad of a loss is indeed difficult. “We made way too many mistakes.” Lamouchi was already under pressure after a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in the team’s final warm-up game, while he has been forced to defend the presence of his son during their training camp in the media despite him not being an official member of the party. Tunisia will face Japan and the Netherlands, who played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in their opening match in Dallas on Sunday, in their final two group fixtures, and Lamouchi said: “We have our pride. We need to react. We need to give a better image.” Lamouchi, who holds dual Tunisian and French citizenship, represented clubs including Auxerre, Monaco, Parma, Inter and Marseille during his playing career before his first role in management saw him guide Ivory Coast to the 2014 World Cup, beating Japan in their first game only to exit in the group stage after a dramatic late defeat against Greece in their final game. Advertisement It was a second chapter of World Cup heartache for Lamouchi, who was cut from the final France squad for World Cup 1998 by coach Aime Jacquet, missing out on a place in history as Les Bleus claimed their first title on home soil. He went on to manage Rennes and Nottingham Forest before short stints in Qatar, with Cardiff City and in Saudi Arabia before being appointed by Tunisia in January on a two-and-a-half-year contract following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Adblock test (Why?)
France vs Senegal: World Cup 2026 – Mbappe, teams, lineups, start, Dembele
The 2026 World Cup has 13 different kickoff times. You can use the Al Jazeera Sport widget to find out exactly when your team is playing in your local time. Who: France vs SenegalWhat: FIFA World Cup 2026Where: New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, United StatesWhen: Tuesday, June 16 , 3pm local time (19:00 GMT)How to follow: Catch all live updates on Al Jazeera Sport Senegal against France has to be one of the most memorable fixtures in World Cup history, and for all the wrong reasons for Les Bleus. Tournament debutants Senegal stunned the defending champions, plagued by off-field issues, in the opening game of the 2002 edition in Seoul, South Korea, winning 1-0 thanks to Papa Bouba Diop’s goal after half -an -hour – watched from the bench by current Lions of Teranga boss, Pape Thiaw. It remains the only meeting of two nations bonded by 300 years of history, but a repeat in New York New Jersey on Tuesday would not only send new shockwaves throughout the football world, it would be extra -special for the 10 members of the Senegal squad who were born in France. Michael Olise celebrates scoring France’s first goal against Northern Ireland with Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe [Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters] Deschamps aiming to end on a golden note Spain might be the narrow favourites to win World Cup 2026 but is there a more settled and talented squad than France? Didier Deschamps will seek to end his glorious 14-year tenure as France coach by leading Les Bleus to a third World Cup success. Advertisement Deschamps lifted the trophy as captain at home in 1998, then masterminded their 2018 success in Russia, while only a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final prevented him from becoming just the second coach to win two World Cups. With his contract set to end in July and with Zinedine Zidane waiting in the wings, Deschamps – the longest serving coach at the tournament by five years – will seek to go out on a high with a third straight final appearance back in East Rutherford on July 19 . Three wins here would make him the most successful World Cup coach of all time with 17 tournament victories. Despite a slightly underwhelming performance at Euro 2024, when they suffered semi-final defeat against Spain after scoring just four goals in six games, including a penalty and two own -goals, France dropped only two points in qualification for this tournament by drawing in Iceland. They possess surely the most talented attacking arsenal in the game today, with Kylian Mbappe supported by Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and the likes of Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. While Mbappe hasn’t had the happiest of years with Real Madrid, he still managed 42 goals in all competitions and nobody has scored more than his 12 goals in the past two World Cups – including a hat-trick on his last appearance, the 2022 final. He is one goal away from matching Olivier Giroud’s record of 57 goals for France. Olise has shone for Bayern Munich, providing 26 assists, and after the disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Ivory Coast, he scored a hat-trick in the final warm-up against Northern Ireland, while Dembele averaged 1.4 goals and assists per 90 minutes in Ligue 1, helping Paris Saint Germain to back-to-back Champions League crowns. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and Kalidou Koulibaly celebrate with the trophy after the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco in January (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters) (Reuters) Senegal seek to make deep run Whether you consider them African champions or not, Senegal are not at the World Cup just to make up the numbers. Their status as AFCON winners remains undecided after they appealed the decision of the Confederation of African Football to remove the title after their controversial final against Morocco in January. The Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a last-ditch penalty with the scores level. Though Brahim Diaz missed the penalty in the 24th minute of added time, after a long delay, and Papa Gueye scored an extra-time winner for Senegal, they were subsequently stripped of the title and have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Advertisement Pape Thiaw’s men went undefeated in qualifying to top their group with seven wins in 10 matches, conceding only three times, and will fancy their chances of making a deep run into the knockout stages, despite being handed a testing group of France and Norway, as well as Iraq. Their last competitive defeat – if you don’t count the AFCON Final – came in the last 16 against England in Qatar in 2022 – they are unbeaten in 30 since then and though they lost a warm-up match to the USA and played out a stalemate with Saudi Arabia, their talented squad features 20 players playing in Europe’s top-five leagues. France’s William Saliba, Ngolo Kante, Ibrahima Konate and Desire Doue during training [Peter Cziborra/Reuters] France team news Both sides should be at full strength for the game with France defender William Saliba back in full training after aggravating a back injury in Arsenal’s Champions League Final defeat to PSG, while Jules Kounde has shaken off a knock picked up against Northern Ireland. Senegal team news Sadio Mane endured a nightmare Qatar 2022 campaign, hampered by injury, but is fit to start while Everton midfielder, Idrissa Gueye, should be fine, despite leaving training early on Saturday. Adblock test (Why?)
EU fails to agree on sanctions for far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir
Published On 15 Jun 202615 Jun 2026 European Union member states have failed to agree on proposals to sanction Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. Speaking at a media conference on Monday, Kallas said that while “many” EU states had proposed economic restrictions, “no consensus on that was reached today”. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list Far-right minister Ben-Gvir has been criticised by several individual EU states for his treatment of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained by Israeli soldiers as they tried to reach Gaza last month. However, efforts to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir at EU level have met resistance. With unanimity required, the bid has failed to win full approval, Kallas said. The EU’s chief diplomat did not outline which states had refused to agree to the proposal. However, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic are understood to be among those in opposition. Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir provoked outrage in some EU states as he was shown mocking detained Gaza flotilla activists (File: Getty) Kallas added that “many” member states also called for proposals from the EU Commission to prepare options on how to limit trade with illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank. “I will convey this request and ask the Commission to prepare, ahead of the next Foreign Affairs Council, a list of options for possible trade measures, including measures aimed at preventing imports of goods originating from illegal settlements,” she said. Advertisement Last month, the EU moved for the first time to impose economic restrictions on violent settlers responsible for human rights abuses in the West Bank. Following the raid by Israeli forces on the flotilla, a widely shared video showed Ben-Gvir mocking activists kneeling on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs. The international outcry saw a number of countries, including Israel’s long-time ally Italy, seek to impose restrictions on the Israeli minister. Italy has opened an investigation into allegations of kidnapping and torture involving Italian citizens who were among the activists. French prosecutors have launched an investigation into allegations of war crimes and torture. Those developments came as EU pressure on Israel has grown in recent months. In April, Italy suspended a bilateral defence agreement, while last month the EU moved for the first time to impose economic restrictions on violent settlers accused of human rights abuses in the occupied West Bank. The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner, accounting last year for more than 30 percent of Israel’s total trade in goods with the world Adblock test (Why?)
Ivory Coast beats Ecuador 1-0 at FIFA World Cup with Amad Diallo goal
Ecuador looked strong before Diallo broke through in the 90th minute with a clinical left-footed shot to seal the win. Published On 15 Jun 202615 Jun 2026 Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their first World Cup appearance in a dozen years. The teams combined to hit the crossbar three times before the Manchester United winger broke the deadlock to secure three points for his team at the Philadelphia Stadium on Sunday. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Diallo – who entered as a substitute in the 56th minute – broke through with a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area that beat diving goalkeeper Hernan Galindez. Wilfried Singo set up the goal with a strong run down the right side. Making their fourth appearance in the World Cup and the first since 2014, Ivory Coast took a big step towards reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Elye Wahi hit the crossbar in the 52nd minute for Ivory Coast, after Ecuador’s John Yeboah and Nilson Angulo did the same in the opening half. Ecuador, making their fifth World Cup appearance and looking to reach the knockout round for the second time, were playing a virtual home game at the stadium, otherwise known as the Lincoln Financial Field, with most of the capacity crowd of 68,274 wearing the yellow shirts of La Tri. Ecuador looked strong before Diallo’s goal. Their best chance after halftime came in the 68th minute on Gonzalo Plata’s hard shot from about 25 yards out, which was parried away by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. Ivory Coast were bolstered by the forward play of Yan Diomande as the Leipzig attacker created several scoring chances, particularly down the right side. That included Wahi’s near-goal on a flick following Diomande’s hard cross. Advertisement Ivory Coast, who did not concede a goal while going 8-0-2 in 10 qualifying matches, will next face four-time World Cup champions Germany, who defeated Curacao 7-1 earlier on Sunday in Group E. Ecuador will meet Curacao. Both matches will be played June 20 . Adblock test (Why?)
Uruguay squad lands in US after flight delay ahead of World Cup opener
Uruguay will reportedly arrive in the US less than 24 hours before the kickoff time for their game against Saudi Arabia. Published On 15 Jun 202615 Jun 2026 Uruguay’s national team have arrived in Miami after enduring a travel ordeal ahead of their opening World Cup match in the United States. The squad and support staff landed in Miami on Sunday, less than 24 hours before kickoff in their Group H match against Saudi Arabia. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Uruguay pinned the blame for their troubles flying from Mexico to the US on FIFA. They also reportedly faced the threat of sanction if their head coach and captain could not make it to a mandatory news conference on the eve of the match. The original flight was reportedly not allowed to depart due to administrative issues, including some missing paperwork, and officials had to scramble to line up a new flight. FIFA is in charge of all travel related to the 48-team World Cup. Uruguay are training in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and held a practice there on Sunday. When the traveling delegation reached the airport in Cancun, approximately 72km (45 miles) away, they learned that the group was not authorised to enter the US. The Uruguay Football Association (AUF) said that a second plane from South Florida was en route to pick up the squad, while the players waited at a resort outside Cancun until its arrival. “Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed,” the association said in a statement. “The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4:15pm [21:15 GMT].” FIFA later released a statement, saying: “Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team’s departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed. Advertisement “The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused. FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimize disruption to the team’s travel arrangements.” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa and team captain Jose Maria Gimenez missed Sunday’s originally scheduled news conference in South Florida due to the issue. The news conference was pushed back to 8pm Eastern Time (00:00 GMT), and the coach and captain were in attendance. “The trip went well; we made the most of it and saw it in a positive light,” Gimenez said in Spanish. “We took the chance to rest at the hotel [in Cancun].” Bielsa was asked what sort of disruption the flight snafu caused his team. “No, the flight doesn’t cause any complications,” Bielsa said, before changing the subject to his team’s preparation in both the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo and Mexico’s Playa del Carmen. “In Montevideo, the players had constant obligations, but they also had family time, which I felt was necessary.” Uruguay and Saudi Arabia will play their first match of Group H at Miami Gardens at 6pm (22:00 GMT), giving them less than 24 hours to settle in before kickoff. The other members of the group, Spain and Cape Verde, will play in Atlanta on Monday. Uruguay were the latest to face travel issues at the World Cup. Top Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the US this week after he was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns”. Meanwhile, the Iranian team were granted US visas just 10 days before their first match in Los Angeles. And Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was interrogated for hours at Chicago’s airport before eventually being allowed entry. The team’s photographer, however, was denied. Adblock test (Why?)
Lebanese remain sceptical despite US-Iran ceasefire announcement
NewsFeed The US-Iran ceasefire announcement has raised hopes in Lebanon, after Pakistani mediators claimed it included an end to Israel’s war on the country. But as Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett explains, we’ve been here before. Published On 15 Jun 202615 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Trump condemns Israel attack on Beirut, says Iran deal still close
United States President Donald Trump has criticised Israel for launching an attack on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, on the day he has said a deal to end the US-Israel war with Iran could be signed. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the Israeli attack on Beirut “should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran”. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down,” he said. “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 said. “This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!” The statement came shortly after Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Israel’s attacks had again drawn US trust into question. The US and Israel twice launched attacks against Iran – sparking the 12-day war in 2025 and the current war on February 28 – amid ongoing indirect talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. In a post on X, Ghalibaf said the US “either lacks the will to fulfil its commitments or the ability to do so”. “If you lack the will and ability to fulfil your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible,” he added. Authorities have said at least three people have been killed in the Israeli strikes on the Dahiyeh area of Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said the military launched the strikes in response to Hezbollah firing projectiles towards northern Israel. Advertisement In his post on Truth Social, Trump questioned the justification. “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,” he said. US says signing close Trump on Saturday said that a deal with Iran was “scheduled” to be signed on Sunday, with top mediator Pakistan indicating the signing would be digital. But Iranian officials have offered a slightly different timeline, with Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying on Saturday that the signing could take days. Still, both sides have broadly indicated that a signing of a memorandum of understanding to end fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, was closer than ever. While no official terms of that initial agreement have been released, both sides have indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would be open, the US naval blockade lifted, and fighting would be immediately halted. Questions over the deeply entrenched issues of the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, frozen Iranian assets and sanctions relief were expected to be addressed in a 60-day period following the initial signing. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Sami Nader, the director of the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs, called Israel’s attacks on Sunday a “strategic test” for both sides. Israel has repeatedly pushed for Lebanon to be decoupled from any deal with Iran, he explained. “There is also a domestic intention, given the current upcoming election in Israel. Netanyahu has been criticised that he is not doing enough against Hezbollah, that he is very deferential, lenient to Trump,” Nader said during a television interview. US officials have publicly said that US and Israeli objectives for the war diverge. Obama weighs in While fighting between the US and Iran has been largely paused since April 8, barring a handful of flare-ups, efforts to reach a more lasting ceasefire have remained elusive. Trump has repeatedly vowed to reach a deal more stringent than the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015. Under the deal, reached between Iran, the US, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, France, China and the European Union, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear programme and allow for unprecedented inspections in exchange for sanctions relief. Critics said the timelines of the agreement were not strict enough, with Trump unilaterally withdrawing in 2018. Iran has for years denied seeking a nuclear weapon. Speaking during an interview on the ABC News programme “This Week” released on Sunday, former US President Barack Obama said it was unlikely a better deal on Iran’s nuclear programme could be negotiated than the one his administration negotiated. Advertisement “It is doubtful that any agreement that arises is going to be significantly different or a significant improvement from the deal that we had in the first place,” he said. Obama added that the US can not “just bully our way or bomb our way to solutions”. “You’d think we would have learned that lesson by now,” he said. Adblock test (Why?)