June 14, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a landmark deal with Iran to end the war in the Middle East could be signed as early as Sunday, promising that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will be reopened immediately upon ratification.
While Iran has offered a conflicting timeline for the finalization of the pact, Tehran has nevertheless signaled that an agreement is imminent. Belligerents and mediators alike have expressed strong optimism that the weeks-long, heavily delayed negotiations are finally drawing to a conclusion.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, serving as the primary mediator, wrote on social media platform X on Saturday that a breakthrough is “closer than ever,” expressing hope that the final text could be concluded within the next 24 hours. The accord is expected to be signed electronically, with technical and specialized follow-up talks scheduled to continue into next week.
Despite ongoing low-level skirmishes within the Strait of Hormuz—the vital shipping lane blockaded by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities, which has heavily destabilized global markets—Trump struck a definitive tone. “The agreement is scheduled to be signed tomorrow, and once the signatures are dried, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely open to everyone,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei challenged Trump’s immediate timeline, explicitly denying that the signing would take place on Sunday. Nevertheless, Baghaei conceded that a formal conclusion is highly likely within the coming days. The conflicting narratives emerge as both factions attempt to frame the finalized terms of the agreement as a strategic victory for their respective domestic audiences.
Tehran continues to maintain that it will retain ultimate oversight and jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime conduit for Gulf oil and natural gas exports. Iran previously demanded that all commercial vessels traversing the waterway obtain prior clearance from its forces and pay transit tariffs—a move Washington countered by enforcing a tight naval blockade on Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that early Saturday, American forces successfully intercepted and downed several Iranian drones attempting to target commercial shipping vessels in the area.
The primary diplomatic sticking point in the talks remains Iran’s controversial nuclear program. While Tehran maintains that its nuclear research is designated strictly for peaceful energy production, the U.S., Israel, and Western allies remain deeply skeptical, accusing Iran of actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. While President Trump has publicly demanded the complete removal and destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed that the draft text permits Iran to blend down and dilute its uranium domestically.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—whose forces launched a joint military offensive alongside the U.S. in February—asserted that Trump has personally assured him that any finalized accord will mandate the absolute removal of all nuclear materials from Iranian soil. Domestically, skepticism toward the diplomatic breakthrough remains high on the streets of Tehran, while anti-government protests opposing the terms of the deal have flared up in the city of Mashhad.
