A security guard in civil uniform, right, guides Rong Chhun, a prominent Cambodian opposition politician, center, as he leaves a Supreme Court hearing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A prominent Cambodian opposition politician emerged Monday from his Supreme Court appeal to a crowd of cheering supporters, telling them he was anxious for judges to overturn his incitement conviction so that he could get back into politics.
Rong Chhun, a top adviser to the Nation Power Party, was found guilty last year of inciting social unrest after he met villagers displaced by government construction projects. His conviction was seen as one of many legal moves taken by the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet to stifle criticism.
The 56-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison and barred from running for office and from voting. At his trial he had argued his innocence, saying all he had done was post photos of himself with the villagers and comments on Facebook.
He emerged from the morning hearing to a crowd of some 300 supporters chanting “Drop the charges, release Rong Chhun!” and holding signs with slogans calling for his freedom.
Supporters of Rong Chhun, a prominent Cambodian opposition politician, shout slogans outside the Supreme Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
He told them that with tensions between Cambodia and neighboring Thailand, a struggling economy and other issues facing the country, he wants to promote “national reconciliation and national unity” for Cambodia’s 17 million people.
“I hope the court will grant me freedom and justice so that I can continue to practice politics in the future,” he said.
Roads leading to the court were blocked by several dozen police officers at barricades, and Rong Chhun walked to the hearing accompanied by his supports, including local and international human rights advocates.
“We are not worried about going to prison,” he said. “We are willing to sacrifice everything and we are determined to use the resources our parents gave us to invest so that Cambodia can achieve true freedom and democracy.”
Incitement allegations are frequently used by authorities in Cambodia against opponents.
Rong Chhun was already sentenced to two years on incitement charges in 2021, based on accusations he spread false information about Cambodia’s border with Vietnam after meeting with farmers in the area. He was released later the same year by an appeals court.
Rong Chhun, a prominent Cambodian opposition politician, gestures to his supporters after a Supreme Court hearing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia’s government insists it promotes the rule of law under an electoral democracy, but political parties seen as mounting strong challenges to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party have been dissolved by the courts or had their leaders jailed or harassed.
Under almost four decades of autocratic former Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia was widely criticized for human rights abuses that included suppression of freedom of speech and association. He was succeeded in August 2023 by his American-educated son, Hun Manet, but there have been few signs of political liberalization.
On Monday, Tim Ratha drove several hours from Siem Reap province in the north to the capital, saying she wanted to show her support for Rong Chhun.
“He has devoted everything to us, he had no wife, no children,” the 55-year-old vegetable vendor told The Associated Press.
FILE - Norway's Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in Oslo, June 16, 2022. (Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix via AP, File)
Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison Monday after being convicted of rape.
He was found guilty of two of the four rape charges he was facing and acquitted of the other two.
He was also convicted of assault and abuse in close relationships. In addition to the prison sentence, Høiby was ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
Høiby, 29, had been charged with sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024.
He faced a total of 40 criminal charges including some for lesser offenses, such as assault, drug-related crimes and violations of a restraining order.
Høiby had denied the rape allegations but admitted to several of the lesser offenses.
Prosecutors had asked Oslo District Court to sentence him to seven years and seven months in prison, while defense lawyers had argued that he should be acquitted of the rape allegations and receive no more than 18 months for offenses he had admitted to.
The sentence is not final and Høiby can appeal.
Høiby was not present in court on Monday because of health reasons. He watched the reading of the verdict via a video link from prison.
The six-week trial concluded in March after testimony from multiple accusers and presentation of evidence, including messages, images and videos from Høiby’s cellphone.
The case has generated intense international attention because of Høiby’s connection to the royal family. Although he holds no royal title and has no official duties, he’s the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to Norway’s throne, and he grew up in the household with the future king.
Interest has intensified in recent days as Mette-Marit’s health has deteriorated. The crown princess, who has pulmonary fibrosis and is awaiting a lung transplant, has been at the center of legal arguments over whether her son should be granted temporary release from custody before the verdict. Appeals courts ruled that Høiby should remain detained while awaiting judgment.
The trial has also unfolded amid renewed scrutiny of the royal family following disclosures about Mette-Marit’s past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender. She has publicly apologized for the association and said she exercised poor judgment in maintaining contact with him. She isn’t accused of any wrongdoing.
LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain will ban under-16s from using a range of social media apps.
Starmer says he will fight back if technology companies resist. He says he is “not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children.”
The move makes the U.K. part of a growing global movement to tighten online safety for children. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced legislation or announced age-based restrictions or requirements for children’s access to social media.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a social media ban for young teenagers Monday, designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.
Britain would join a growing global movement to tighten online safety for children. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced legislation or announced age-based restrictions or requirements for children’s access to social media. France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are among others studying or developing similar approaches.
“How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time,” Starmer said in a statement released Sunday. “This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.”
Starmer, who is under pressure to step down from members of his own party over what they see as poor leadership, said he would be announcing a “world-leading” action to protect children. He suggested it be more prohibitive than the Australian-style ban on social media for children under 16.
The Sunday Times reported that the U.K. would also restrict chatbots, features on some gaming apps and place a curfew aimed at preventing older teens from late-night scrolling.
The under-16 ban would apply to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, Kick and Reddit, the Times reported.
The decision follows a public comment period in which the government got 116,000 responses from parents, the tech industry and children. The number of responses was second only to one seeking input about equal marriage in 2012.
The vast majority of respondents wanted an under-16 ban, including youths, said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who added that a ban should be part of other measures.
“I don’t think banning social media on its own is the silver bullet solution, but I do think Australia has shown very clearly that it has a significant role to play,” Nandy told BBC on Sunday.
The ban could further inflame tensions with the U.S., which has warned that regulations should be narrow and not violate free speech protections, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in London. It said it was also concerned that regulations would place greater burdens on American technology companies.
Jon Crowcroft, a communications systems professor at University of Cambridge, said people supporting social bans are well-meaning but probably misguided, and changes could prevent children from accessing sites they need.
“There is a real risk this will drive some users to worse sites and policing devices is close to impossible technically,” Crowcroft said. “Policing platforms is far easier, if only regulators would bother.”
PRACHINBURI — 15 June 2026, Twenty-four students were injured after a factory coach bus collided with the rear of a school transport truck in Si Maha Phot district on Monday morning.
The accident occurred at around 07:00 near The Spring housing estate on Road 3079 in Tha Tum subdistrict, as students were travelling to school on the first day of the new academic term.
Police said a six-wheel school transport vehicle carrying students from both Si Maha Phot School and Wat Mai Krong Thong Secondary School was leaving the housing estate when it was struck from behind by a shuttle bus transporting employees of Canon.
Witness Suphakarn Jaireo, a student at Si Maha Phot School, said the school vehicle had been collecting students from kindergarten through upper secondary levels before heading towards schools in the district centre.
“As the vehicle was turning out from the estate entrance, the factory bus travelling on the main road crashed into the rear of the student vehicle,” she said.
The apparent point of impact seen on the side of the school truck
The impact caused significant damage to the school vehicle and threw several students from their seats. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as injured children cried out following the collision.
Emergency responders from the Sawang Bamphen Dhammasathan Rescue Foundation, along with traffic police and local officials, rushed to the scene and transported the injured students to nearby hospitals.
Si Maha Phot District Chief Juthamas Buaphuean visited injured students at hospitals later in the day. Authorities reported a total of 24 injuries, including five patients classified as yellow-level injuries and 19 classified as green-level injuries.
The injured were distributed among several hospitals:
• Si Maha Phot Hospital: 10 patients (one yellow-level, nine green-level)
• Chularat 304 International Hospital: Eight patients (two yellow-level, six green-level). Six were discharged while two remained under observation.
• Kasemrad Prachinburi Hospital: Four patients, all with minor injuries and later discharged.
• Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital: Two patients with yellow-level injuries.
Authorities said no students suffered life-threatening injuries and there were no fatalities. Most sustained minor abrasions, bruises and shock.
Pol. Col. Sophon Pramanee, superintendent of Si Maha Phot Police Station, said investigators were gathering evidence to determine the cause of the crash and would proceed with legal action as appropriate.
XINGTAI, China — 15 June 2026, A fruit vendor in northern China has gone viral after posting videos of his flock of sheep eagerly jostling to eat imported Thai durians with great appetite, with the owner claiming the unusual diet for over 2 years has improved the quality of the mutton, leaving netizens utterly envious.
The fruit vendor, identified only by his surname Zhao, runs a fruit business in Xingtai, Hebei province, China. He revealed that he regularly imports Grade A durians from Thailand, ordering around 150 to 200 boxes at a time. Some of the fruit, however, is damaged during transportation or storage, including those with cracked shells, insufficient ripeness, or poor quality that cannot be sold.
Thai durians are regarded as a premium imported fruit in China and command relatively high prices. Zhao said the Grade A durians he purchases cost around 26 yuan (US$3.84) per jin (500 grams), or about 52 yuan (US$7.68) per kilogram at wholesale level, with retail prices often rising higher depending on the variety and season.
Rather than throwing it away to waste, Zhao has been feeding the unsellable durians to his flock of more than 30 sheep at home. The animals mainly eat grass and wheat plants, with fruit serving as a dietary supplement. In addition to durian, the sheep are also given watermelons, bananas, and other fruits.
Zhao said he has been feeding durian to the sheep two or three times a week for the past two years, and the practice has produced unexpected results. After a prolonged period of raising the sheep on a combination of grass and fruit, the quality of the mutton has visibly and significantly improved.
According to Zhao, the lamb appears to have become more tender, with a slight sweet aroma and a less pronounced mutton smell. While he cannot confirm whether the changes are directly linked to the durian diet, family members and others who have tasted the meat agree that it tastes better than ordinary lamb.
Furthermore, most of the sheep are raised for his own family consumption, although Zhao occasionally sells the meat to neighbours and customers who are interested for 50 yuan (US$7.38) per jin (500 grams).
The videos sparked widespread reactions on Chinese social media, with users flooding comments with reactions such as, “This is the first time I’ve envied a sheep,” “I’ve never eaten so much durian in my life,” “These sheep are living better than people,” and “This is truly the dream life for durian lovers.” Meanwhile, some netizens praised the practice as a good example of reducing food waste.
Zhao also said he had never considered selling damaged fruit to consumers, insisting that maintaining honesty with customers was more important than recovering losses. Instead, he decided to put the otherwise wasted Thai durians to use by feeding them to his animals.
BANGKOK — 15 June 2026, Russia warned its citizens Friday to avoid travelling to Thailand, citing the risk of arrest at Washington’s request — a move Thailand’s Foreign Ministry swiftly pushed back on, insisting the country is safe and welcoming for all visitors.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged nationals who have “even the slightest reason” to suspect they may face U.S. prosecution to stay away from Thailand entirely, including during layovers. It accused U.S. intelligence agencies of carrying out sting operations against Russian nationals while bypassing Thai authorities, and described Thailand as one of Washington’s primary locations for a “hunt” for Russian nationals, according to the Moscow Times.
The advisory followed the court appearance in the United States of suspected Russian hacker Denis Obrezko, who was arrested in Thailand last November. Russia’s ministry attributed the intensified targeting of its citizens to sweeping U.S. sanctions imposed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.
Thailand and the United States share a bilateral extradition treaty.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry responded on Sunday through acting director-general of the Department of Information and deputy spokesperson Panidol Patchisawat, who said Thai-Russian relations remain strong at all levels and noted the two countries will mark 130 years of diplomatic ties in 2027.
Thailand welcomed nearly 1.9 million Russian tourists in 2025 — the largest number from any European country — and remains open to visitors of all nationalities, Panidol said.
“Thailand is a welcoming and safe country for all tourists regardless of nationality,” the spokesperson said, adding that all visitors are expected to abide by Thai law and that enforcement is carried out without discrimination.
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia told state media that Russian tour operators have not encountered arrests while vacationing in Thailand, though it advised those aware of potential legal exposure to heed the ministry’s guidance.
More than 700 artists, illustrators and creators occupied nearly 1,100 booths at Illust Fusion EXPO 2026 at Siam Paragon this weekend as one of Thailand’s largest independent art markets returned for its mid-year edition.
Held at Paragon Hall on 13–14 June, the two-day event brought together creators from across the country, offering visitors access to art prints, illustrations, crafts and exclusive merchandise while providing artists with opportunities to connect directly with audiences.
The event, organised by Anitime under Enterdock Co., Ltd., has grown significantly since its launch in 2017. Last year’s edition attracted a record 16,523 visitors, cementing its status as one of Thailand’s largest independent art festivals.
This year’s edition introduced a pop-up café in collaboration with artist Joojee World, creator of the event’s key visual, bringing the artwork and characters to life through a themed café experience.
Throughout the weekend, visitors also attended panel discussions on intellectual property rights, live drawing demonstrations and creative workshops.
For many participants, the event was about more than sales.
Cartoonist Nuan, creator of the long-running comic character “Nuan”, said meeting audiences face-to-face offered a different experience from publishing work online.
“Online, people comment on your work, but here you can see how they connect with the characters and stories in real life,” he said. “It’s also a chance to meet other creators and learn how people in the industry think and work.”
This year, Nuan introduced a new project called “Pawsons”, a colourful character series inspired by the MBTI personality framework. He said the concept grew from an interest in helping people better understand themselves and others through relatable characters.
Find Nuan @PAWSONS.TH on instagram
“Sometimes making someone feel understood is enough,” he said. “As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that being a small positive part of someone’s day can be just as meaningful as trying to change the world.”
Among the exhibitors was a second-year Digital Arts student from Sripatum University who presented fantasy-inspired illustrations influenced by fairy tales and imaginative storytelling.
@DIGITALARTS_SPU
She said events such as IFEXPO allow emerging artists to gain exposure and introduce their work to audiences who are already interested in art and illustration.
A lecturer from Sripatum University who creates character merchandise based on African pygmy hedgehogs said art fairs remain an important platform for independent creators.
“Social media helps people find your work, but events like this allow you to meet people who are genuinely interested in art and design,” the lecturer said.
@CATONOMY_ART on Instagram
Artists discuss AI’s role in creative industries
Beyond the exhibition itself, several artists interviewed by Khaosod English shared their views on the growing role of artificial intelligence in creative industries.
Nuan argued that debates surrounding AI in Thailand’s art community often focus too heavily on defining who qualifies as an artist rather than examining how technology can be used constructively.
He said AI can be useful for research, idea development and project planning, comparing it to an assistant that helps creators manage complex creative workflows. While acknowledging concerns over copyright and the use of artists’ work in AI training models, he said discussions often become polarised and fail to address broader questions about creativity and originality.
“There’s more to being original than whether someone uses a particular tool.. “Sometimes people spend more time arguing about AI than creating art.”
Nuan also said independent artists today have more opportunities than ever before, citing the growth of creator markets, self-publishing platforms and direct engagement with audiences. He argued that technology should not be viewed solely as a threat, but as one of many tools available to creators.
A second-year Digital Arts student at Sripatum University shared a different perspective.
She said AI could be useful for research and visual references but opposed artwork generated entirely by artificial intelligence.
She added that many artists remain concerned that their work may be used without permission to train AI systems and that stronger protections for creators are still needed.
Meanwhile, a lecturer at Sripatum University who creates character merchandise based on African pygmy hedgehogs described AI as another tool that can assist with planning and organising creative projects.
“I see it as part of technological development,” the lecturer said. “Each creator can decide how they want to use it.”
The differing perspectives reflected a wider debate unfolding across creative industries as artists continue to navigate the opportunities offered by AI while grappling with concerns over originality, authorship and intellectual property rights.
PHUKET — 15 June 2026, A 29-year-old British professional boxer is in a coma after falling from a tuk-tuk outside his hotel in Phuket’s Patong district in the early hours of Saturday, as police seek the driver who fled the scene.
Colin Cairney was found unconscious on the road outside The Nature Hotel on Khalaim Beach, Phra Baramee Road, at around 04:10, when rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoltham Foundation were alerted to an injured man lying near a pedestrian crossing with severe head wounds. He was taken first to Patong Hospital and is now in intensive care at Vachira Phuket Hospital.
CCTV footage and hotel security records showed Cairney had boarded a red tuk-tuk from an entertainment venue and returned to his hotel, where a fare dispute arose because he had no cash. The driver agreed to wait while Cairney went to withdraw money from an ATM.
The tuk-tuk was then seen on camera passing the hotel at around 04:02 heading back toward Patong without stopping to drop off its passenger. Cairney fell from the rear of the vehicle, his head striking the road with force. The driver did not stop to help.
CCTV footage ruled out an assault, police said, confirming Cairney fell from the vehicle on his own. Investigators have since collected blood samples to test for alcohol and drugs, with results pending. The investigating officer noted that friends who came to the hospital appeared to also be intoxicated.
Pol. Lt. Col. Surachat Thongya, deputy superintendent (investigation) at Patong Police Station, said police have identified the tuk-tuk’s owner, who confirmed the vehicle is his but said he had rented it out to another person to use as a taxi. Investigators are working to contact the renter and bring the driver in for questioning.
Should Cairney’s condition deteriorate fatally, the driver could face charges of negligent driving causing death, as well as failure to stop and render assistance and failure to notify authorities.
AYUTTHAYA — 15 June 2026, the World Heritage city was transformed from the historic ancient capital into a vibrant rainbow runway during “Ayutthaya Pride 2026,” a festival of pride organized with full-scale dedication, as the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) opened a platform for equality and spreading love to people of all genders and ages under the concept “Pride Across Time.”
The event was presided over by Somsong Phancharoenworakul, chairwoman of the Ayutthaya PAO. She was joined by representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as groups of school and university students and a large gathering of celebrities, who all came together to add vibrant colours and showcase the power of equality.
Beyond celebrating with pride, on this occasion the Ayutthaya Pride community also united to bid a final farewell and express their condolences for Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita, in profound gratitude for Her Royal Highness’s boundless benevolence.
During the opening ceremony, a respectful memorial tribute and remembrance were held to express loyalty and honour Her Royal Highness’s benevolence, alongside creative and beautiful displays of empowerment for equality.
LGBTQ+ icons, including Anna Sueangam-iam, Miss Universe Thailand 2022, and Aniwat Prathumthin, known as “Nara Crepe Katoey,” the famous social media influencer, who both strutted down the runway in the ancient capital to confidently showcase their personal expression, were also featured at the event.
Anna shared her thoughts on the event: “For today’s event, I am incredibly honoured to be a part of writing a new chapter in Ayutthaya’s history. The energy from thousands of people today proves that ‘equality’ knows no boundaries. Our culturally rich ancient city is fully ready to embrace diversity and move forward beautifully.”
“I am deeply impressed by the fashion everyone brought to the runway today. Everyone completely unleashed their creativity—from redesigning traditional Thai fabrics into elegant, high-fashion styles, showcasing a powerful soft power, to bold and boundless fantasy outfits. Everyone dared to be confident and proud of who they are. I truly believe this positive energy and these vibrant colours are the very soft power that will make the world look at Ayutthaya and Thailand in a new light—one that is open-minded and inviting,” she said.
Anna summarised her thoughts, saying, “Therefore, Ayutthaya Pride 2026 is not just a one-day celebration, but a major milestone declaring that Ayutthaya is a city of equality, ready to welcome everyone from all nations with endless friendship and love.”
They were joined by a host of stars and celebrities who united to show the power of equality to the world. Additionally, the event marked the official debut of “Nong Saimai,” Ayutthaya’s newly appointed cultural ambassador.
The event concluded with a concert by the legendary diva “Hi” Aphaphorn Nakhonsawan, who shared the power of love through her hit songs, inspiring and boosting pride among the rainbow community and all attendees. It beautifully created a fresh chapter of memories for Ayutthaya, living up to the slogan: “The ancient capital this time… will never be the same again.”
Lebanese soldiers stand guard at the site of an Israeli airstrike that struck an apartment in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early Monday to open the Strait of Hormuz and further extend a shaky ceasefire in the Iran war, potentially allowing desperately needed oil and natural gas to reach the global market.
Details of the deal were not immediately released and Iran signaled implementation would not start until the signing, which key mediator Pakistan said would occur Friday in Switzerland. It could provide a way to end a war that killed thousands across the Middle East, including the top leaders of Iran’s theocracy, and sparked a historic energy crisis.
Meanwhile, the deal gives just 60 days to resolve what to do about Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its atomic program. That took years to resolve in Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from that accord in his first term, setting the stage for the tensions that culminated in the war.
He added, “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” which was imposed in retaliation for Iran’s grip on the crucial waterway.
He soon hedged, however, saying the strait wouldn’t open until Friday’s signing.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed the agreement on state television but said Iran would not start implementing it until it was signed Friday. He said the deal followed talks with Qatar, another mediator.
Israel, which has insisted it be allowed a freehand to pursue Hezbollah as it occupies southern Lebanon and has extended its military operations into areas its forces haven’t been in a quarter century, did not immediately comment. Israel joined the U.S. in launching the war on Feb. 28.
A woman waves an Iranian flags as she chants slogans against Iran and U.S. talks at the Islamic Revolution square in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Pakistan, a key mediator, announces deal
Pakistan first announced the deal, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying “both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” It remains unclear whether Israel, which relies on the U.S. but has launched in wars against its enemies since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, agreed to that term.
He added that mediators this week will facilitate meetings to “lay the foundation for the technical talks.”
Broader negotiations on outstanding issues like Iran’s nuclear program would continue over the next 60 days, two senior Pakistani officials said earlier Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. If the sides fail to reach a resolution within that time, the timeline could be extended.
Iranian state television cited the secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council saying the war on all fronts “will end immediately and permanently beginning tonight” — but that the U.S. blockade “will be terminated immediately and in full.”
Qatari mediators later left Tehran following 17 hours of negotiations, said an official briefed on the developments who spoke on condition of anonymity due to sensitivity of the talks. Separate preparatory meetings with each side will take place in Doha this week, the official said.
It was not clear who from Iran would sign the deal on Friday. U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News the White House was still figuring out who would attend: “I certainly plan to be there, but it’s possible the president himself could be there.”
But concern among Republicans in the U.S. already could be seen. They included U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who described Vance as “the architect of the deal.”
“I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming,” Graham wrote online.
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Congress would exercise oversight on any accord with Iran.
“We have seen time and again: War cannot change the Iranian regime,” he said.
Pedestrians walk past a poster showing the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, and the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini on a sidewalk at the Islamic Revolution square in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Interim deal faces intense scrutiny
The first strike of the war killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Khamenei’s son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is now supreme leader. He has not been seen in the public since the war began, but his approval was needed for Iran to sign off on the deal.
There was apparent friction inside Iran in the hours before the announcement, as the government warned that division at home over the deal weakened its negotiating position.
The deal likely returns the region to a status that existed before the war, but with Iran having proven its ability to disrupt shipping in the strait. The waterway is crucial to significant shipments of oil, natural gas and related products like fertilizer, and its effective closure rocked the global economy.
Even with a deal, it will take months for oil and gas supplies to flow freely enough for the world’s needs to be met because shipping and insurance companies want to be confident the agreement will last, energy experts said.
Tehran also still has a ballistic missile arsenal and enough highly enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons, should it choose to pursue them.
Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful and has not publicly committed to giving up the enriched uranium, which is believed to be buried under three nuclear sites that were badly damaged by U.S. strikes last year.
The U.S. has sought the removal of the enriched uranium from Iran as part of a deal. Russia has offered to take it. But Iran insists it wants to keep the uranium.
People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that struck an apartment in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Lebanon, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Frankel reported from Jerusalem, Sewell from Beirut and Weissert from Washington. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Cathy Bussewitz in New York and Cara Anna in Lowville, New York, contributed.
Furthermore, most of the sheep are raised for his own family consumption, although Zhao occasionally sells the meat to neighbours and customers who are interested for 50 yuan (US$7.38) per jin (500 grams).
