Switzerland says US-Iran talks set for Friday cancelled Expected US-Iran talks on Friday at the Burgenstock mountaintop resort in Switzerland will not take place, the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement.
Macron criticises Israeli policy in Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "show a sense of responsibility" amid increased military action in the region. The French president told broadcaster France 2 that Tel Aviv's military strategy in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank "runs contrary to Israel's own interests" in the long-run. ❝I think that today Prime Minister Netanyahu does not have a policy❞ French President Macron voices support for Israel's security while criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying 'security cannot be ensured through the conquest of a neighboring territory' pic.
Vance says Israel has to 'respect' peace process like everybody else US Vice President JD Vance criticised Israeli cabinet members in a press briefing on Thursday, in a departure from his usual stance on Israel. "The Israelis, like everybody else, have to respect this peace process," Vance said. "That is fundamentally good for them and good for the entire region.
Vance postpones trip for US-Iran talks on Friday in Switzerland The White House indicated that US Vice President JD Vance has postponed a trip scheduled on Friday to Switzerland, where US and Iran were set to discuss the next steps for ending the war. "The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight," a White House spokesperson said.
US-Iran agreement: What does the MoU actually include? The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding this week, agreeing to a ceasefire after two months of negotiations and over three months of conflict - but no binding treaty exists yet, and the critical details around nuclear dismantlement timelines and sanctions relief still need to be worked out. What did they actually agree on?
Iranian negotiators delay Switzerland talks trip after Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon The Iranian negotiation delegation has delayed its departure for talks in Switzerland due to Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, according to a report by Al Mayadeen network. The team was scheduled to hold initial talks with US officials on Friday to discuss implementing a newly signed ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar are also slated to take part in the meeting.
Iran supreme leader says direct talks with US do 'not mean accepting its views' Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday that future talks with the United States would be held directly, but that did not mean "accepting its views". “It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy's point of view,” Khamenei said in a message read on state television, his first reaction to the Iran-US deal ending the war that broke out late February.
Exclusive: ICC member states to vote on Karim Khan probe in New York on 24 July Submitted by Sondos Asem on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 16:52 Two-thirds of the 125 members of the court need to vote on whether the prosecutor is guilty of misconduct In this file photo, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan greets people as he arrives for a UN Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters on 13 July 2023 in New York City (AFP) Off Member states of the International Criminal Court are due to convene in New York on 24 July for a consequential vote on the disciplinary proceedings involving Prosecutor Karim Khan, Middle East Eye can reveal. Multiple diplomatic sources have confirmed that the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the governing body of the court, decided on Wednesday the date and place of the special session to allow the 125 members of the ICC to vote on misconduct allegations facing the prosecutor. The bureau, a political body, suspended Khan on 8 June by a qualified majority after disregarding a judicial panel's opinion that found no evidence of misconduct against him.
US-Iran 60-day negotiating period begins Thursday, VP Vance says The 60-day period for negotiations between the United States and Iran begins on Thursday, but the agreement between the two sides took effect the day before, Vice President JD Vance said. "I would say the 60-day period officially started today," Vance told journalists, adding that "the deal started yesterday".
Makerfield by-election: This may finally be the end for Starmer Submitted by Peter Oborne on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 16:38 If Labour candidate Andy Burnham is victorious, the party could begin a much-needed process of renewal Supporters hold placards promoting Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election campaign in northwest England, on 22 May 2026 (Paul Ellis/AFP) Off British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will have mixed feelings as he awaits the result of today’s Makerfield by-election . As Labour leader, he will celebrate if his party wins. As prime minister, his survival depends on Labour losing.
Vance says Israel needs to respect the peace process with Iran US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said Israel will have to respect the peace process with Iran, which he said was good for them, adding that attacks in Beirut that kill civilians were "not acceptable. " Vance also said that he may go to Switzerland 'this weekend' for Iran talks.
US-Iran deal leaves Israel isolated and Netanyahu exposed Submitted by Meron Rapoport on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 13:15 The deal could weaken Israel's regional influence and accelerate the political decline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves the podium after addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2023 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images via AFP) Off Israelis are viewing the emerging US - Iran deal as more than just a diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran. For many in the country's political and military elite, the agreement to end the war represents a strategic turning point that could weaken Israel's regional influence, strain its most important alliance and accelerate the political decline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Although an agreement between the US and Iran had been widely anticipated since April, Pakistan's announcement on Sunday that a deal had been reached sent shockwaves through the country.
US and Israeli nuclear weapons 'brought no advantage in talks' The US-Iran framework agreement to end the war proves that nuclear weapons provide no strategic advantage, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican) said on Thursday. US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a deal on Wednesday which lays the groundwork for detailed negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief for Tehran. Ican, which won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its key role in drafting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), insisted the deal revealed how little advantage US and Israeli nuclear arsenals provided.
Trump told Erdogan he is attending Nato's Ankara summit 'just for him' Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 12:04 Sources say Erdogan’s role as host helped persuade Trump to attend as tensions grow between Washington and European allies US President Donald Trump greets Recep Tayyip Erdogan outside the West Wing as he arrives at the White House on 25 September 2025 (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP) Off US President Donald Trump told his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, last month that he would attend the forthcoming Nato summit in Ankara just to please the Turkish leader, according to several sources familiar with the phone call who spoke to Middle East Eye. Tensions between the US and its European allies have been steadily rising, and the July summit is seen as a potential breaking point, where both sides are expected to reveal their positions and attempt to chart a path forward together. “Many European countries say that the fact that the meeting will be held in Turkey , hosted by our president, is the most important factor that made President Trump’s participation in the summit possible,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters on Thursday.
Hormuz vessels must still coordinate with IRGC navy, Iranian state TV says The transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz still needs to be done in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, Iranian state television said on Thursday. Vessels have begun moving through the strait following the signing of a deal to bring the US war on Iran to a close.
Israel accuses EU's top diplomat of 'blood libel' and severs ties Israel's foreign minister has launched an extraordinary attack on the European Union's top diplomat, accusing her of "acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness toward the State of Israel" and severing all ties with her. Gideon Saar said on Thursday that Kaja Kallas had "compared Israel to the racist apartheid regime that existed in South Africa", a comparison he referred to as a "blood libel". "I am grateful to the many European elected representatives who condemned this grave statement," Saar posted on social media.
Israel's Ben Gvir set to attend UN policing conference in New York next month Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 11:04 National security minister is a staunch critic of UN and celebrated destruction of UN refugee agency for Palestinians Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (C) at the site of a suspected shooting in the town of Tzur Yitzhak in central Israel on 7 June 2026 (AFP/Jack Guez) Off Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel ’s national security minister, will travel to New York next month to attend a UN conference on policing, Haaretz reported this week. The minister is expected to head up a delegation from the national security ministry to attend the annual UNCops summit. Under the title “Investing in Peace”, the conference will take place between 7 and 8 July and will see security ministers and police chiefs around the world discuss “strengthening international peace, security and development for all" through national and transnational police forces.
Trump brands critics who think he's been too soft on Iran 'stupid' US President Donald Trump has branded critics who think he's been too soft on Iran "fools". In a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday morning, Trump wrote: "These fools, who think I haven’t been tough enough on Iran, when the Stock Market Just Hit A RECORD HIGH, and Oil prices are 'tumbling' down, are either jealous, bad people, or stupid.
Hegseth announces review of US troop deployment in Europe Pete Hegseth has announced a review into US troop deployments in Europe and once again warned "free riding" Nato allies to meet their defence spending commitments. Addressing counterparts at Nato's headquarters in Brussels, the US defence secretary said the review would last for up to six months and include consultations with Congress, which has legislate a minimum number of US forces in Europe. “Make no mistake about it, this will be a real review.
Switzerland says US-Iran talks planned for Friday Initial discussions between the US and Iran are planned at the Buergenstock mountaintop resort in Switzerland on Friday, the Swiss government said on Thursday. "As things stand, the plan is still for the U. S.
