©Sina Drakhshani
The United States and Iran may be nearing a historic agreement that would end the fighting between the two countries. In Tehran, however, street protests against this impending peace deal are growing. The most vocal opponents are chanting “Death to the compromiser” and demanding the resignation of Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday that the agreement with Iran would be signed on his 80th birthday, Sunday, June 14. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that both parties have agreed on a framework and that Islamabad is preparing for an electronic signing on Sunday. Iran, however, did not confirm that timing.
Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautioned against making statements about the exact timing and said it would not happen “tomorrow, ” but possibly “in the coming days.”
According to Trump, the Strait of Hormuz would be “open to everyone” immediately after the signing. That sea route is crucial for the global oil supply and has been blocked by Iran. The proposal would also include the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. The agreement would first focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, followed by talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
Opposition from hardliners in Iran remains evident. Images of opponents gathered in squares and in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran began appearing on social media and Iranian news sites. They directed their anger at Araqchi with slogans such as “Araqchi, shame on you, let go of America.” During pro-government rallies on Saturday evening, discontent was voiced; demonstrators chanted “Compromiser, resign.”
The Revolutionary Guard criticized the “unusual pressure” from Trump to sign the agreement on Sunday on Telegram. According to Tehran, Trump’s announcement comes even though Iranian negotiators have made it clear that the memorandum has not yet been finalized. Trump suggested that there is a “last resort” should the process fail.
As negotiations continue, the fighting persists. U.S. forces shot down several Iranian attack drones morning that were flying toward the strait on Saturday. Israel reported that it had struck more than seventy targets in Lebanon against Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, within 24 hours.
Iranian protesters in Mashhad demanded Araqchi’s resignation on Saturday evening. There is division within Iran over such a deal, with conservative circles in particular opposing potential concessions to Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convening his security cabinet in response to reports of the impending agreement, as the terms would jeopardize the country’s security interests.
The proposed agreement would release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil exports in exchange for the opening of the strait. Iran would charge fees for services in the Strait of Hormuz. The nuclear program would be discussed within sixty days, with the ultimate goal of dismantling it.
©Sina Drakhshani - illustrative image of protests in Iran