Dozens protest Iran-US peace deal outside foreign ministry

Dozens of people protested Saturday outside a foreign ministry office in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad, chanting slogans against top diplomat Abbas Araghchi after he discussed signing a peace deal with the United States in a televised interview.

Why are Iranians protesting the Iran-US peace deal?

Hardline Iranians oppose the peace deal backed by US President Donald Trump and mediator Pakistan, arguing it does not serve Iran's interests. Critics say it would strip Tehran of leverage over the Strait of Hormuz and accuse Iranian negotiators of conceding too much to secure an agreement.

What did Araghchi say about the deal?

In a Friday interview with state television, Araghchi said the deal calls for lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, imposed in response to Iran's own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "The administration of Strait of Hormuz will no longer be the same as before," he said, describing the waterway as one of Iran's "main instruments of deterrence."

What did protesters chant outside the foreign ministry?

A video shared by Fars news agency showed women in black chadors chanting "death to dishonourable Araghchi, the infiltrator" in front of the Mashhad office, waving red and black flags. Other videos on social media, which AFP could not independently verify, showed crowds outside the foreign ministry in Tehran chanting "Araghchi, resign" and "Ghalibaf, resign," referring to parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

When could the Iran-US deal be signed?

Trump and Pakistan said Saturday the deal to end the war could be signed as early as Sunday. Tehran was more cautious about the timeline.