Full story
G7 ends; Versailles dinner
The G7 summit ended this Wednesday, with leaders deciding to increase pressure on Russia as part of its war with Ukraine, and Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump to Versailles for a dinner honoring the United States' 250th anniversary.
“The G7, which brought together the heads of state of France, the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany, has ended this Wednesday.”
BFM says Trump signed a peace agreement between the United States and Iran from the Château de Versailles, where he had been invited to dinner by Macron, and that the memorandum of agreement included the dilution of Iran's uranium stocks and the lifting of sanctions targeting Tehran.
BFM also reports that Macron and Trump spoke by phone with Volodymyr Zelensky while they visited the Château de Versailles together, and Zelensky described the call as "an important coordination call" to "review the results of our discussions at the G7 Summit."
At the palace, Trump told the press he was "very happy" to be at Versailles, before a schedule that included a visit to the Hall of Mirrors, a concert in the Royal Chapel, and a stop at a gallery devoted to the American War of Independence.
Ukraine, Iran, and Lebanon
CNN describes how Trump attended the G7 without blowing it up, noting that he endorsed "unwavering support" for Kyiv in a group statement about Russia's war in Ukraine after the summit ended.
In France ahead of talks with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7, Trump said Israel must act more responsibly in its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding, "I’m not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon."
Qatar Tribune reports Trump said Israel had been fighting Hezbollah "for too long" and "too many people are being killed," and it put the Lebanon toll at around 3,800 killed and about 11,700 others wounded.
Newsweek adds that Trump warned Netanyahu that "Israel would have been blown up a long time ago" without him, while also saying Israel had been "fighting Hezbollah for too long, and too many people are being killed."
What comes next for the deal
DPA via Qatar Tribune says high-ranking US and Iranian representatives are set to formally sign a framework agreement aimed at ending the war in Iran at a luxury resort overlooking Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne on Friday, with the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirming the ceremony will take place in a hotel high on the Bürgenstock mountain ridge.
“High-ranking US and Iranian representatives are set to formally sign a framework agreement aimed at ending the war in Iran at a luxury resort overlooking Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne on Friday.”
Qatar Tribune also reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a further round of negotiations is due to begin immediately after the signing on Friday, with talks intended to be concluded within 60 days.
The New Arab says Trump maintained that the interim accord makes clear that Tehran would never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and he told reporters, "The only thing that really matters to me is Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and it says it loud and clear."
The New Arab further links the interim accord’s durability to Lebanon, saying Netanyahu has said his troops would remain in the south as long as needed to tackle Hezbollah, while Tehran has demanded an Israeli withdrawal.