US-Iran Deal Reshapes Middle East Amid Protests and Return of Displaced

Trump announces Strait of Hormuz opening as CIA warns of Iranian intentions.

US-Iran Deal Reshapes Middle East Amid Protests and Return of Displaced — US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway closed since the war that broke out on February 28.[^1] The move comes as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that a memorandum of understanding, reportedly comprising 14 articles, will be signed this Friday.[^2] Trump stated, 'We want good relations with Iran. If that doesn't happen, we'll return to war.'[^3] French President Macron called the agreement 'a big step for the global economy.'[^4] However, the deal faces internal skepticism. CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned President Trump and other senior officials that gathered intelligence raises serious doubts about Iran's willingness to make nuclear concessions.[^5] US Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with CNBC that the agreement prevents Iran from obtaining funds to rebuild its nuclear program, and that 'the fund would be something Iran could access if they honor their obligations.'[^6] The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $300 billion investment fund for Iran, a figure Trump denied as 'fake news.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the war's results, insisting on Israel's military presence in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Yet a senior Israeli official remarked, 'If we had known the war would end like this politically, it is not certain it would have been worth fighting.' The agreement has caused serious concern in the Gulf states, with some considering normalization with Iran. Meanwhile, a senior US administration official stated that Oman acted with bias and duplicity, effectively siding with Iran, leading to its replacement by Qatar and Pakistan as key mediators. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ordered that the ceasefire decision be implemented immediately and in full, starting from the first day of negotiations. Netanyahu Under Fire: Denials, Complaints, and Political Fallout — Reserve Major Yaya Pink filed a complaint with the Police Internal Investigations Department against police spokesperson Aryeh Doron, who had called Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan a 'great