US–Iran peace deal announced, Israeli airstrike delays electronic signing

A deal is reached

Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on X that after intensive talks, a peace agreement had been reached between the United States and Iran. The accord calls for an immediate and permanent end to all military operations, including across the Lebanese front. The official signing ceremony is set for Friday, 19 June, in Switzerland. US President Donald Trump had earlier told Axios that a framework would be signed electronically “in a few hours” on Sunday, his 80th birthday. The breakthrough follows weeks of indirect negotiations mediated by Pakistan and Qatar after last week’s renewed clashes.

“After intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that a peace agreement has been reached between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Israeli strikes upend the timeline

Hours before the expected electronic signature, Hezbollah launched explosive drones into northern Israel. The Israeli air force responded with strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahija, targeting what it called Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanese civil defense reported at least three dead and six wounded. Trump said the Israeli attack “should not have happened,” especially on a day when a peace deal was so close. The electronic signing was delayed by several hours.

Iran splits over the new reality

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reacted sharply. He posted that if the US could neither restrain Israel nor honour its commitments, “there is no point in continuing the diplomatic path.” The Iranian Supreme National Security Council warned that Israel’s crimes “will not go unanswered.” Yet President Masoud Pezeshkian told journalists that the council remains on the “path of dialogue” with Washington. The foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Bakaei dismissed Trump’s Sunday deadline, saying a signing would take place “in the coming days.”

“If you have neither the will nor the ability to meet your commitments, there is no point in continuing the diplomatic path.”

“The response of the fighters of Islam is imminent.”

Trump’s fury at Netanyahu

In an interview with Axios, Trump vented about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “This is so bad – I couldn’t believe it. One hour before we were supposed to sign the deal. Why must Bibi start a damn attack? I was so angry. He has absolutely no judgment.” Trump said the Hezbollah drone attack caused no casualties and was “meaningless,” and urged Israel and Hezbollah to halt all strikes. He also called the US naval blockade of Iran “powerful,” more effective than bombing.

“This is so bad – I couldn’t believe it. One hour before we were supposed to sign the deal. Why must Bibi start a damn attack? I was so angry. He has absolutely no judgment.”

What the deal would change

Trump outlined the framework’s provisions in a Wall Street Journal interview: Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons, the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened immediately, US sanctions will be lifted (without cash payments), and strict verification controls will be imposed. The removal of stored nuclear material from Iran is not an immediate priority, Trump said. Iranian officials, however, insist that any final accord depends on a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon.

Next steps

The official signing ceremony is set for Friday in Switzerland. Trump predicted the delayed electronic signature could still happen Sunday evening, but Tehran has not confirmed that timeline. The US–Iran framework remains fragile, resting on the quiet of the Israeli–Lebanese front.