RECAP: The Iran deal that looked "hours away" suddenly became a lot murkier. While Trump continued insisting a deal will be signed tomorrow and claimed the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately afterward, Iran's Foreign Ministry publicly cooled expectations, saying there are no plans to sign tomorrow, though it could happen in the next couple of days. At the same time, details from the draft agreement are leaking inside Iran. And they're causing a political firestorm. Hardline figures and protesters are attacking Foreign Minister Araghchi, accusing him of giving away too much on sanctions, nuclear restrictions, U.S. troop withdrawals, and especially the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. Demonstrators gathered outside the Foreign Ministry, while reports suggest Iranian authorities are even censoring anti-deal criticism on domestic messaging platforms. The emerging picture is that the biggest threat to the agreement may no longer be Washington or Tehran's negotiators, but opposition inside Iran itself. Meanwhile, senior Israeli officials reportedly blasted the deal as harmful to Israeli interests and complained that Israel has largely been sidelined from the negotiating process. One official reportedly described it as a temporary political arrangement designed to buy time rather than a durable settlement. Diplomacy remains intense. Trump is expected to hold separate meetings with the leaders of Qatar, the UAE and Egypt on the sidelines of the G7 summit, highlighting how heavily Gulf states are now involved in shaping the outcome. Elsewhere in Europe, migration tensions continued to dominate headlines. Large demonstrations took place in Rome calling for tougher immigration policies, while Belfast saw counter-protests after recent unrest linked to a high-profile stabbing case. And in Washington, Senator Tom Cotton introduced legislation that would significantly deepen U.S.-Israeli intelligence cooperation, making it far more difficult for future administrations to limit intelligence sharing with Israel. The biggest story remains the same: everyone is talking as if an Iran deal is close, yet almost every major player involved is sending contradictory signals. Markets are betting on peace. The politicians are selling peace. The negotiators are still arguing over the details.

For nearly a half century, through eight American Presidencies, Iran has employed the most cost-effective tactic of warfare by seizing someone or something of value and holding it hostage. And while Iran has demonstrated its ability to hold out, sometimes for years, for what it wants, the U.S., with its two- and four-year election cycles, has limited patience. Read more about Iran’s hostage tactics: newyorkermag.visitlink.me/Wu…