Monday briefing: Trump’s late-night deal with Iran
In today’s newsletter: A peace deal between the US and Iran has been announced, but what it contains, and what could happen next, remain unclear
In today’s newsletter: A peace deal between the US and Iran has been announced, but what it contains, and what could happen next, remain unclear Good morning. A war which had no clear objectives and no obvious endgame, but unleashed havoc across the globe, looks to be on the brink of coming to a close. As he prepared to mark his 80th birthday with a cage fight on the historic White House lawn, Donald Trump announced via social media that “the Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete”. The US president has been claiming a deal is close since very early on in the conflict, but this time his words have been backed up by Iranian officials and Pakistan, which has been acting as mediator.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the agreement puts an “immediate end” to the war, including the conflict in Lebanon. World leaders, including Keir Starmer, have welcomed the news. Russia British armed forces intercepted and boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday, the first time the UK has led a naval capture since the start of the war in Ukraine. Ukraine One of the country’s most significant religious sites, Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv, was set on fire after continuing Russian bombardment. Defence The strategic defence review row drags on, after last week’s ministerial resignations. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy revealed her department is “ actively involved ” in identifying cash to divert to the Ministry of Defence.
Nature A tropical western reef heron usually found between west Africa and India has been spotted in north Wales, the first time the species has been sighted in Britain. Birdwatchers are thrilled; climate scientists less so. UK news Tommy Robinson was detained at Heathrow on Saturday. The far-right activist, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was held under counter-terrorism laws after riots in Southampton. Today Keir Starmer is expected to “outline” his plan to ban access to “high risk” social media apps for under-16s. Libby covered what that might look like last week. Tuesday Chief of the defence staff Richard Knighton will appear in front of the Lords’ international relations and defence committee at 11am to discuss the beleaguered strategic defense review.
One worth watching. Thursday It’s make or break in Makerfield for Andy Burnham, as he looks to win the byelection … and then the keys to Number 10? There are also two byelections in Scotland, one of which the Guardian has called “ pivotal ” for the future of energy in the country. Continue reading...
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