The actress recently walked the red carpet for the first time in 11 years. Joan Cusack says it’s been nice to 'be a normal person' away from Hollywood The actress recently walked the red carpet for the first time in 11 years. By Shania Russell :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ShaniaRussellauthorphoto5934b684845d480caa4485648c39ef2b.jpg) Shania Russell Shania Russell is a news writer at , with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine. EW's editorial guidelines June 10, 2026 11:53 a.m.

The actress recently walked the red carpet for the first time in 11 years.

Joan Cusack says it’s been nice to 'be a normal person' away from Hollywood

The actress recently walked the red carpet for the first time in 11 years.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

EW's editorial guidelines

June 10, 2026 11:53 a.m. ET

Joan Cusack at the Los Angeles premiere for 'Toy Story 5' on June 9. Credit:

- Joan Cusack is celebrating her ability to lead a "normal" life away from Hollywood.

- The *Toy Story 5 *actress recently walked the red carpet for the first time in 11 years.

- At the Los Angeles premiere for the Pixar film on Tuesday, she said that her ability to exist outside of the spotlight has been "priceless."

Joan Cusack has been enjoying her time away from the spotlight.

The past few weeks have seen the beloved actress make her grand return to the red carpet to celebrate the debut of* **Toy Story 5*, the latest entry in the Pixar franchise, which sees her voice cowgirl doll Jessie.

Cusack's appearance at the London premiere of the film in May marked her first time walking the red carpet in 11 years, with her last carpet appearance dating back to September 2015. On Tuesday, she smiled for photos once again at the film's Los Angeles premiere.

But make no mistake, the Emmy winner and two-time Oscar nominee has no regrets about her decision to recede from the public eye.

Joan Cusack at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Toy Story 5' with her family.

Asked by *Variety* why it's become rarer for her to attend these events, Cusack replied, "I think because I’ve worked for a long time and I’m so honored to be able to work in this industry for a long time, but it’s also great to live your life and raise your kids and be in Chicago and be a normal person."

The mother of two added that having that amount of freedom away from Hollywood is "kind of priceless."

When the interviewer noted how "excited" people are to see Cusack back on the red carpet, she appeared touched.

Read the 'Toy Story 5' offer for Conan O'Brien to play potty-training tech (exclusive)

Meet Blaze in 'Toy Story 5,' a 'spunky, funky' horse girl (exclusive)

"Aw," she said. "Well, it's kinda cool 'cause there's not that many movies that do huge red carpets unless you're doing, like, an action, superhero [film], so it's cool."

Cusack is also stepping back into the spotlight when it comes to the story of *Toy Story 5*, which spends plenty of time with Tom Hanks' Woody and Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear, but ultimately centers around Jessie. The film takes a toys vs. tech approach, as the toys navigate a world in which kids are choosing the allure of an iPad over the joys of analogue play.

Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody from 'Toy Story 5'.

The film sees the gang's kid, Bonnie, struggling to make friends as the last kid on her block still playing with toys. So her parents offer a solution: Lilypad (Greta Lee), a smart device introduced to help her connect with other kids her age in a virtual playground instead of a physical one. Jessie and the gang begin to fear that there won't be any place left in the world for physical toys, so they rally the troops in an effort to help Bonnie make friends away from screens.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

Cusack told ** in April how she got choked up after first reading the script.

"I know every parent in the United States worries about their kids. When do you get them involved in tech? What does that do to their brains? And that's what this movie's about," she gushed. "It's about humanity and playing and loyalty — and it makes me cry."

*Toy Story 5 *premieres in theaters on June 19.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Entertainment Industry Roles

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Actors"

Read More

---

Source: Actors

Published: June 13, 2026 at 07:38PM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

June 13, 2026

Joan Cusack says it’s been nice to 'be a normal person' away from Hollywood

The actress recently walked the red carpet for the first time in 11 years. Joan Cusack says it’s been nice to 'be a normal pe...

Read More

The movie premiered in 1939 and has had a resurgence in popularity thanks to its Las Vegas Sphere showings. Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft explains why The Wizard of Oz continues to captivate audiences The movie premiered in 1939 and has had a resurgence in popularity thanks to its Las Vegas Sphere showings. By Marina Watts Marina Watts Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek. EW's editorial guidelines June 10, 2026 12:23 p.m.

The movie premiered in 1939 and has had a resurgence in popularity thanks to its Las Vegas Sphere showings.

Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft explains why *The Wizard of Oz *continues to captivate audiences

The movie premiered in 1939 and has had a resurgence in popularity thanks to its Las Vegas Sphere showings.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

EW's editorial guidelines

June 10, 2026 12:23 p.m. ET

Lorna Luft; Judy Garland. Credit:

JC Olivera/Variety via Getty; Silver Screen Collection/Getty

- Lorna Luft, Judy Garland's daughter, explains the impact *that The Wizard of Oz* has had almost 90 years after its 1939 premiere.

- "I can't tell you how many hundreds of thousands of people have told me about what it meant to their family," she said.

- The fan can see *The Wizard of Oz *screening at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Lorna Luft is thrilled that *The Wizard of Oz** *still resonates almost 90 years later.

The daughter of Judy Garland, who played Dorothy in the 1939 film, reflected on the movie's impact and how its magic hasn't faded in the decades since. The film has experienced a resurgence in popularity since it began screening at the Las Vegas Sphere last August.

"It's about home. It's about heart. It's about courage, and it's about knowledge," Luft told PEOPLE of the technicolor movie musical.

"All of us in our lives feel that emotion at some point." Another universal takeaway from *The Wizard of Oz *is its message of "good against evil," Luft said. "I think we also go through that in our lives."

Liza Minelli, Judy Garland, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.

Bettmann Archive/Getty

*The Wizard of Oz *is based on the 1900 book by L. Frank Baum, which was a "huge book" at the time, Luft said, pointing out that it "was really the Harry Potter of its time."

Luft also explained how the movie's transition into technicolor once Dorothy arrives in Oz was "such a huge thing." "They had never seen what we call sepia, but people call it black and white, into color, and into those characters."

Liza Minnelli says mom Judy Garland tried to kick her off stage during joint performance as a teen: 'Mama fumed'

The 7 best 'Wizard of Oz' movies ranked, from the Judy Garland classic to a Muppets riff

Even though the special effects at the time weren't what they are today, Luft said that the performances captivated audiences, and still do now. "It's the acting ability of every single solitary performance of everyone in that film because you believe it."

Luft also told PEOPLE about her reaction to seeing *The Wizard of Oz *at the Sphere, which projects an edited version of the film on a 160,000-square-foot screen and incorporates special effects such as wind, bubbles, and seats with haptic technology.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter*****.**

"It was overwhelming for all of us because it's so massive and you are actually in the movie," she admitted. "We came into Vegas, and we saw the Sphere, and we both literally went ..." Luft paused, describing her awe, "[It] took our breath away." She called the scene with the poppies in particular "so beautiful and so magnificent."

Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz'.

Herbert Dorfman/Corbis/Getty

More than anything, Luft is still touched by the impact *The Wizard of Oz *has had on audiences.

"I can't tell you how many hundreds of thousands of people have told me about what it meant to their family."

"*The Wizard of Oz* was always so special," Luft concluded.

- Musical Movies

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Musical"

Read More

---

Source: Musical

Published: June 13, 2026 at 07:38PM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

June 13, 2026

Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft explains why The Wizard of Oz continues to captivate audiences

The movie premiered in 1939 and has had a resurgence in popularity thanks to its Las Vegas Sphere showings. Judy Garland's daughte...

Read More

Josh Hart’s Wife Shannon Reveals Why She 'Cannot' Watch the Knicks Star Take Free Throws in NBA Finals (Exclusive)

Josh Hart’s Wife Shannon Reveals Why She &x27;Cannot&x27; Watch the Knicks Star Take Free Throws in NBA Finals (Exclusive) Skyler CarusoSat, June 13, 2026 at 2:15 PM UTC 0 Josh Hart of the New York Knicks and his wife, Shannon Hart.Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty; Eugene Gologursky/Getty Shannon Hart, wife of New York Knicks star Josh Hart, spoke with PEOPLE before Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals about the superstition she follows during his games The Knicks wife explained that she only taps into this ritual when the basketball star is at the free throw line during the bestofseven championship seri...

Josh Hart’s Wife Shannon Reveals Why She 'Cannot' Watch the Knicks Star Take Free Throws in NBA Finals (Exclusive)

Skyler CarusoSat, June 13, 2026 at 2:15 PM UTC

0

Josh Hart of the New York Knicks and his wife, Shannon Hart.Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty; Eugene Gologursky/Getty -

Shannon Hart, wife of New York Knicks star Josh Hart, spoke with PEOPLE before Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals about the superstition she follows during his games

The Knicks wife explained that she only taps into this ritual when the basketball star is at the free throw line during the best-of-seven championship series

Hart and the Knicks are looking to win the championship when they face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 on Saturday, June 13

Karl-Anthony Towns's fiancée Jordyn Woods isn't the only Knicks WAG with a "lucky" superstition during the NBA Finals — Josh Hart's wife, Shannon, has a unique one of her own to get through the championship series.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of Game 5 on Saturday, June 13, Shannon revealed the hard-to-believe ritual she follows while watching her husband of nearly five years shoot free throws during the NBA Finals: "I have to look away," she admits.

Shannon Hart and Josh Hart.Credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty for Haute Living

"I used to do these little spirit finger things [during his free throws] and then he started missing all the time, so I was like, 'Okay, that's not working.' That started at Villanova because that was the thing," says Shannon, who spoke with PEOPLE the day before Game 5 on behalf of her partnership with Reese's.

"There was one time I was like, 'I'm just going to look away because I cannot watch him miss again.' So I looked away and he started making them!" she shares. "So now I have to look away. I cannot look until the ball rolls off of his hand."

The only way she knows if Josh's bucket is good, is by "going off of what the crowd's reaction is like," she explains.

Shannon Hart and her husband, Josh Hart, share twin sons, Hendrix and Haze.Credit: Shannon Hart/Instagram; Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty

Shannon has teamed up with Reese's in honor of the brand's special mashup with Oreo for a bold blue-and-orange packaging for the cookie snacks inside. The partnership was a perfect fit for the Knicks wife, who is no stranger to the color scheme.

"We've been wearing orange and blue day after day after day. So, it's a perfect match with our outfits with the colors of the city," says Shannon, who actually rocked a custom Reese's jacket to the Knicks game with her friend, Ali Brunson (Jalen Brunson's wife), at Madison Square Garden for Game 4.

Advertisement

She adds, "It's just been great and it's delicious!"

Take PEOPLE with you! Subscribe to PEOPLE magazine to get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happened true crime stories and more — right to your mailbox.

Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks.Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty

Similar to Woods' lucky bag, Shannon has a purse of her own that she's bringing with her for good luck in San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday. She also has jewelry that she incorporates into her game-day looks, which include a special detail in tribute to her husband.

"For me, I always wear this cross necklace. I wouldn't take it off," she tells PEOPLE. "And then something that has my husband's name on it... I actually had this purse last game, I'm not trying to copy Jordyn or anything, but it was a crazy win so I'm bringing it this time."

"It's this blue YSL purse that I brought last time," she explains of the bag she's bringing with her to the matchup in San Antonio on Saturday, where her husband the Knicks hope to close out the Spurs to secure the championship.

"Obviously, you saw what happened last time," she says of the Knicks' epic comeback win in Game 4, adding, "So I'm like, I have to run that back because why wouldn't I?"

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Sports"

Read More

---

Source: Sports

Published: June 13, 2026 at 05:27PM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

June 13, 2026

Josh Hart’s Wife Shannon Reveals Why She 'Cannot' Watch the Knicks Star Take Free Throws in NBA Finals (Exclusive)

Josh Hart’s Wife Shannon Reveals Why She &x27;Cannot&x27; Watch the Knicks Star Take Free Throws in NBA Finals (Excl...

Read More

Inside the crowd drawn to Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House

Inside the crowd drawn to Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House Fatima HusseinSat, June 13, 2026 at 2:09 PM UTC 0 The solemn grandeur of the Lincoln Memorial served as a backdrop for President Donald Trump&x27;s mixed martial arts spectacle happening this weekend, as burly fighters jogged past the iconic statue to the cheers of thousands of fans on Friday night. A news conference two days before the big fight featured the athletes preparing for Sunday&x27;s Octagon bouts, but also highlighted the fervent UFC fanbase who converged on Washington D.C.

Inside the crowd drawn to Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House

Fatima HusseinSat, June 13, 2026 at 2:09 PM UTC

0

The solemn grandeur of the Lincoln Memorial served as a backdrop for President Donald Trump's mixed martial arts spectacle happening this weekend, as burly fighters jogged past the iconic statue to the cheers of thousands of fans on Friday night.

A news conference two days before the big fight featured the athletes preparing for Sunday's Octagon bouts, but also highlighted the fervent UFC fanbase who converged on Washington D.C., enduring challenging weather for the show.

The unusual event, marking the nation's 250th anniversary and Trump's 80th birthday, culminates in fights staged outside the White House. The UFC said it invested $60 million in the festivities, which the Republican president hailed as "the greatest show on earth."

However, not everyone shared this enthusiasm. The watchdog group Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit to halt the event on federal land, describing it as a "private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain."

A federal judge, however, ruled on Friday that the White House could proceed.

A title belt on display prior to a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial ahead of the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 fight on the South Lawn of the White House on June 12, 2026 (Getty)

Among the dedicated attendees were Tracy Philbeck and his son Levi, who traveled from Charlotte, North Carolina, to support American fighter Justin Gaethje in his lightweight title bout against Georgian Ilia Topuria.

"You will hear an eagle screaming when Justin Gaethje wins," the elder Philbeck chuckled.

David Halstead, who journeyed from Albany, Western Australia, to witness the sport he has loved for a decade, credited Trump with having "put UFC on the map."

Despite the visible political alignment of some fans, Ipsos Sports polling from February and March indicates that only about 1 in 10 U.S. adults consider themselves mixed martial arts fans, with the demographic skewing male, nonwhite, and more likely to identify as Republican than Democrat.

Advertisement

Ricardo Rodriguez, 24, challenged a common assumption, stating: "One misconception is that everyone who watches UFC is a Trump supporter, but that's not the case," he said. "People also expect a knock out every time."

Ellie Louizes, who practices Muay Thai and jujitsu, drove from Daytona Beach, Florida, with her boyfriend, Jacob Purvis. While female fans of MMA are a minority, Louizes noted she knows many women who get into the sport through male partners, observing that "female fighters are often way more aggressive" than the men.

Fans brushed off the criticism about White House as host

The fans at the Lincoln Memorial brushed off criticism about the bouts being held at the White House.

Holding fights at the "People's House," Tracy Philbeck said, "goes back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt."

Roosevelt regularly held sparring sessions at the White House, though they were not formal public prizefights. He was an enthusiastic amateur boxer who had boxed at Harvard and continued the sport throughout much of his life.

Boxing fans also make up a large part of the UFC's fan base.

At a UFC-sponsored community event this week at the District of Columbia's Midtown Youth Academy, the boxing gym's executive director was helping out with a visit from UFC fighter Randy Brown, who sparred with more than dozen local teenagers and preteens.

Gloria Lee said meeting the fighter was a big deal for kids at her gym. "It's just been a thrilling week, and I was about to fall out when he came in the door!" she said.

Asked about her personal UFC fandom, Lee said she had not watched it much. But by the end of Brown's visit, she got into the ring with the professional fighter and threw some slugs of her own.

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Sports"

Read More

---

Source: Sports

Published: June 13, 2026 at 05:27PM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

June 13, 2026

Inside the crowd drawn to Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House

Inside the crowd drawn to Trump ’s UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House Fatima HusseinSat, June 13, 2026 at 2:09 PM UTC 0 Th...

Read More

Taraji P. Henson Shuts Down Plastic Surgery Rumors: 'I Have Done Nothing'

Taraji P. Henson Shuts Down Plastic Surgery Rumors: &x27;I Have Done Nothing&x27; Madison E. GoldbergSat, June 13, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC 0 Taraji P. Henson attends Game 4 of the NBA finalsCredit: taraji p henson/instagram Taraji P. Henson is addressing speculation that she&x27;s had plastic surgery The Oscar nominee shared a series of photos from Game 4 of the NBA Finals, and one person commented, "something looks different" The actress responded to the remark, citing her busy Broadway schedule as the reason she does not have the time for plastic surgery Taraji P.

Taraji P. Henson Shuts Down Plastic Surgery Rumors: 'I Have Done Nothing'

Madison E. GoldbergSat, June 13, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC

0

Taraji P. Henson attends Game 4 of the NBA finalsCredit: taraji p henson/instagram -

Taraji P. Henson is addressing speculation that she's had plastic surgery

The Oscar nominee shared a series of photos from Game 4 of the NBA Finals, and one person commented, "something looks different"

The actress responded to the remark, citing her busy Broadway schedule as the reason she does not have the time for plastic surgery

Taraji P. Henson is shutting down rumors that she has undergone plastic surgery.

Henson, 55, shared a series of photos on Instagram on Thursday, June 11, after attending Game 4 of the NBA Finals, in which the New York Knicks faced off against the San Antonio Spurs.

"BIG @nyknicks ENERGY 💙🧡💙🧡," the Empire alum wrote in the caption. "Stepped out last night in all denim and diamonds. It was a moment. What a game!!! 💋💋💋"

In the photos, Henson wore a denim-on-denim look and posed courtside with RZA and other friends. She credited her stylist Kollin Carter for putting together the look, and noted that she did her own glam in the caption.

"Something looks different," someone wrote in the comments.

Taraji P. Henson slams plastic surgery rumorsCredit: taraji p henson/instagram

"They edit some of her pictures," another replied.

Henson then chimed in to clear the air, citing her packed Broadway schedule as the primary reason she would not even have time to have any procedures.

Advertisement

"Y'all kill me with this s---," she wrote in the comments. "I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO MY DAMN FACE. I AM ON BROADWAY!!! LIVE THEATER WHEN THE HELL WOULD I HAVE TIME FOR A SURGERY. JUST STOP THE MADNESS. LIKE FR."

Henson currently stars in Joe Turner's Come and Gone on Broadway.

Taraji P. Henson did her own glam for the Knicks game on Wednesday, June 10Credit: taraji p henson/instagram

In April, Henson opened up to PEOPLE about how doing her own makeup helps her get into character for the show.

"I don't have a hair and makeup team," Henson said, noting that she spends the moments before a show "preparing and putting Bertha on."

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In the show, The Color Purple star — who previously served as a producer on the Tony Award-nominated Jaja's African Hair Braiding — portrays Bertha Holly, the warm and welcoming matriarch of a Pittsburgh boarding house.

Joe Turner's Come and Gone is on Broadway until July 26.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Entertainment"

Read More

---

Source: Entertainment

Published: June 13, 2026 at 07:45AM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

June 12, 2026

Taraji P. Henson Shuts Down Plastic Surgery Rumors: 'I Have Done Nothing'

Taraji P. Henson Shuts Down Plastic Surgery Rumors: &x27;I Have Done Nothing&x27; Madison E. GoldbergSat, June 13, 2026 ...

Read More

OpenAI under investigation by coalition of state attorneys general, WSJ reports

OpenAI under investigation by coalition of state attorneys general, WSJ reports ReutersFri, June 12, 2026 at 11:32 PM UTC 0 The OpenAI logo in this illustration taken June 11, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration June 12 (Reuters) A coalition of U.S. ‌state attorneys general ‌has opened an investigation ​into OpenAI, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing ‌people familiar ⁠with the matter. The AI company ⁠was served on Friday with a ​sweeping subpoena ​seeking ​documents related ‌to a broad range of its activities and its impact on users, the report ‌said.

OpenAI under investigation by coalition of state attorneys general, WSJ reports

ReutersFri, June 12, 2026 at 11:32 PM UTC

0

The OpenAI logo in this illustration taken June 11, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

June 12 (Reuters) - A coalition of U.S. ‌state attorneys general ‌has opened an investigation ​into OpenAI, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing ‌people familiar ⁠with the matter.

The AI company ⁠was served on Friday with a ​sweeping subpoena ​seeking ​documents related ‌to a broad range of its activities and its impact on users, the report ‌said.

Advertisement

Reuters could ​not immediately ​verify ​the report. ‌OpenAI did not ​immediately ​respond to Reuters' request for comment.

(Reporting by ​Carlos ‌Méndez in Mexico ​City; Editing by ​Tom Hogue)

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Breaking"

Read More

---

Source: Breaking

Published: June 13, 2026 at 02:54AM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

June 12, 2026

OpenAI under investigation by coalition of state attorneys general, WSJ reports

OpenAI under investigation by coalition of state attorneys general, WSJ reports ReutersFri, June 12, 2026 at 11:32 PM UTC 0 The O...

Read More

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan's prime minister says

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan&x27;s prime minister says MUNIR AHMED, MICHELLE L. PRICE and RUSS BYNUM Fri, June 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM UTC 199 1 / 0Iran War Strait of HormuzResidents swim and play in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz while cargo ships and commercial vessels lie anchored in the distance off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan's prime minister says

MUNIR AHMED, MICHELLE L. PRICE and RUSS BYNUM Fri, June 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM UTC

199

1 / 0Iran War Strait of HormuzResidents swim and play in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz while cargo ships and commercial vessels lie anchored in the distance off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.(Razieh Poudat/ISNA via AP) (AP Photo/Razieh Poudat)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a "final, agreed upon text." He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps.

"Peace has never been this close as it is now," Sharif said in a post on X.

The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement "has never been closer" in a post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks the countries are on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi's post on his own social media.

The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the Middle East and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7.

Iranian official says nuclear details will follow an agreement to end the war

Araghchi told Iranian state TV on Friday that both sides were working toward signing an initial agreement declaring an end to the war "on all fronts, including Lebanon."

Israel has been fighting the Iranian-allied militia Hezbollah in Lebanon since early March. Israel is not a party to the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, and its leaders have said they don't plan to withdraw from Lebanon.

Araghchi said terms dealing with Iran's nuclear program would be finalized in the 60 days after the initial agreement is signed. He said the parties could agree to extend that period.

Iran's nuclear program has been a key point of division. The U.S. and Israel fear it could lead to an atomic weapon — a main reason their leaders cited for going to war. Tehran has insisted its nuclear efforts are for peaceful purposes.

A senior U.S. administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said Friday that the emerging agreement would begin the process of destroying or removing Tehran's highly enriched uranium.

The official said the 60-day period after both sides sign the deal would be used to work out technical details for removing Iran's enriched uranium. The official did not detail who the U.S. envisions taking charge of removing the uranium, which is believed to entombed under three nuclear sites that were battered by U.S. strikes last year.

Advertisement

Also critical is Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas. Disruption of transit through the strait has crimped global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made food and other basics more expensive well beyond the region.

The U.S. official said the emerging agreement includes provisions for reopening the strait.

Araghchi said Iran wants a deal that allows Tehran to charge ships "for services rendered" when they transit the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has imposed a toll system during the war, which the U.S. and other nations say violates international law.

"There will be costs involved," Araghchi said, "and those costs must be paid."

Officials say a deal could be signed in the coming days

Three regional officials said the emerging deal is also expected to include the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.

They said they expect a signing ceremony for the agreement in the coming days after officials in Washington and Tehran approve it.

Trump on Thursday claimed significant progress in the negotiations, just hours after he threatened to escalate attacks and seize Iran's oil industry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is not a party to the deal being negotiated. He said in a statement Friday that he and Trump were in "full agreement" that Iran must not have nuclear weapons.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a separate statement that Israel also expects Trump to uphold key Israeli interests, including weakening Iran's missile program and proxy network.

Katz warned that Israel could still act independently toward Iran and that the country would not pull out of the zones it is occupying in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, nor would it withdraw from the northern refugee camps of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The deal was largely being brokered by Pakistan, led by its army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the regional officials said, with backing from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar.

___

Price reported from Washington and Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. journalists Sahar Ameri in Berlin, Julia Frankel in Jerusalem, and Collin Binkley and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed.

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Breaking"

Read More

---

Source: Breaking

Published: June 13, 2026 at 02:54AM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

June 12, 2026

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan's prime minister says

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan&x27;s prime minister says MUNIR AHMED, MICHELLE L. ...

Read More