Hezbollah says Iran pledged to ensure Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in US negotiations Hezbollah told Reuters on Tuesday that they have received assurances from Iran that they will demand that Israel withdraw troops from Lebanon as part of their negotiations with the US. The Lebanese group claimed that there would be “no nuclear deal between Iran and the United States unless the Israelis withdraw” from Lebanon.
Trump: US hopes for ‘good relationship’ with Iran leaders Donald Trump said on Tuesday during a press conference at the G7 summit in France that Iran “has rational leadership now” after US-Israeli attacks killed multiple Iranian officials. The US President added that Iran’s current leadership are “not radicalised” and want to “help their country”, expressing optimism for a “good relationship” between the countries but adding that the leaders will need to “prove themselves first” to assure this. Trump also claimed that key in the agreements being negotiated with Iran is the demand that they “can’t have a nuclear weapon” and claimed the deal would offer a “wall” to the possibility of Iran attaining one.
Smotrich cancels Hebron Protocol, ending Palestinian control in occupied city Submitted by Ayse Betul on Tue, 06/16/2026 - 12:12 Amid intensifying military raids in the city, revoking the 1997 protocol gives the Israeli state full construction control over Hebron's key sites, such as Ibrahimi Mosque Israeli soldiers keep watch during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, 13 June 2026 (Mussa Qawasma/Reuters) Off Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday that the “Hebron Agreements were cancelled”, a move that strips the Palestinian Hebron Municipality of its authority over construction projects in the occupied West Bank city. “For many years, one of the most absurd clauses of the Oslo Accords remained in place, when authorities related to the Jewish settlement in Hebron were dependent on Hebron's terror municipality,” Smotrich said during an inauguration ceremony for a new illegal settlement in the southern Mount Hebron area. The decision was finalised Monday night by Israel’s Higher Planning Council, which oversees construction in parts of the occupied West Bank, following a security cabinet decision approved in principle on 8 February with Smotrich’s efforts.
Trump: Netanyahu needs to be ‘more responsible’ with Lebanon, warns without the US ‘there’d be no Israel’ Trump said that without the US “there’d be no Israel” and warned “no other president was willing to do what I did” in comments delivered to reporters in France at the G7 summit. The US president said that he’s had a “great relationship” with Netanyahu but warned that the Israeli prime minister “has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon” and added that he “didn’t like” Israel’s attack on Beirut "two hours" before the US signed an agreement with Iran. Trump also claimed that the US-Iran deal can survive even if Israel attacks Lebanon, calling the conflict a “minor war” compared to Iran as “the big one”.
Qatar FM: hopeful about signing of Iran-US deal, warns disagreements will not be solved in ‘mere days’ Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari delivered comments to a press conference on Tuesday in which he expressed hope in the success of the Iran-US deal, but also warned of challenges ahead. “We are on the right track towards regional security. Obviously, there are a lot of challenges coming ahead, but let’s take this as a moment to enjoy some optimism,” al-Ansari told reporters in Doha.
Iran's top negotiator Ghalibaf to attend signing of US deal: deputy foreign minister Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will attend the signing in Switzerland of the deal ending the war with the United States, an Iranian deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday. "Switzerland will be the venue for the signing, but the exact location has not yet been determined. The next round of negotiations will begin immediately after the signing," said Majid Takht-Ravanchi, according to state television.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The US-Iran peace agreement entered its implementation phase overnight, with both sides confirming the accord has been signed electronically ahead of a formal ceremony in Geneva. Shipping activity resumed in the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear oversight discussions moved forward and world leaders welcomed the breakthrough. However, disagreements over Lebanon and Israel's future military role remain unresolved.
AIPAC seeks assurances Iran deal 'preserves Israel's right to respond' The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a leading pro-Israel lobbying group in the United States, issued a cautious response to President Donald Trump's announced memorandum with Iran, saying it was awaiting further details. "We look forward to learning the full details of the framework for these negotiations, including whether the deal preserves the sovereign right of our democratic ally Israel to respond to the security threats it confronts," the group said. AIPAC said the US Congress "will play a critical role in working with the administration throughout these negotiations and in reviewing the ultimate agreement".
Hezbollah calls for unity as region reacts to US-Iran agreement Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed hope that the US-Iranian agreement would help bring an end to the war, pledging to intensify efforts in negotiations with Washington to secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the release of prisoners. Hezbollah, meanwhile, said Lebanon should make better use of the regional and international support available to achieve full sovereignty through internal unity. The Lebanese army urged residents to postpone their return to villages and towns along the southern border and to follow military instructions to ensure their safety amid the risk of Israeli violations.
WSJ calls Iran agreement a 'strategic retreat' by Trump The Wall Street Journal said that the agreement reached by US President Donald Trump with Iran does not amount to a complete strategic victory. Instead, the newspaper said it reflects a retreat from Washington’s original objectives at the outset of the conflict, noting that the US accepted the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Iranian pledges to resume negotiations over its nuclear programme. In a special editorial, the newspaper’s editorial board said President Trump began to pull back as domestic political pressure intensified and the risks associated with continued military operations grew.
US vice president launches media push to sell Iran agreement US Vice President JD Vance has launched a series of television appearances to promote and defend the agreement between Washington and Tehran amid mounting criticism and calls for greater transparency. In interviews with US media, Vance argued that the agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while emphasising that key benefits for Tehran would depend on future compliance. Vance said the agreement had already been digitally signed, denied reports that Iran would immediately receive “billions of dollars of assets”, and insisted the United States retained leverage in future negotiations.
Iranian-American lawmaker backs scrutiny of Iran agreement US Representative Yassamin Ansari cautiously welcomed the agreement between Washington and Tehran, describing an end to the conflict as a positive development while calling for congressional scrutiny of any final accord. In a post on X, Ansari said, “An end to the war is a positive step,” but noted that lawmakers have yet to see the details of what has been agreed. “Congress must have extensive review of any final agreement signed with the Islamic Republic,” she said.
Trump denies reports of US payments to Iran as ‘fake news’ US President Donald Trump has dismissed reports that Washington agreed to make payments to Iran as part of the newly announced memorandum of understanding. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the US is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the Dumocrats!!!
US and Iran sign agreement electronically ahead of formal ceremony US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have electronically signed the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, Reuters and AFP reported, quoting US officials. Trump has previously said the agreement had already been signed electronically, while a formal signing ceremony remains scheduled for later this week. “The president wanted to sign it personally because he wanted to show his dedication to bring this through to a successful resolution,” a senior US administration official told AFP.
Vice President JD Vance calls US-Iran accord a ‘win-win’ for Americans US Vice President JD Vance has defended the agreement reached with Iran, describing it as a “great peace deal” and a “win-win for the American people” as lawmakers from both parties demand more information about its terms. In a video posted on X, Vance said the agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately and “ensures that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon”. Vance said Iran would have a pathway to greater economic integration if it complied with its commitments.
Israeli minister says Israel not bound by US-Iran agreement Israeli science minister Gila Gamliel said Israel does not consider itself bound by the agreement reached between the United States and Iran and will continue military operations. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 7, Gamliel, who is a member of Israel’s political-security cabinet, said: “We are not a party to the agreement, and from our perspective, we will continue until we achieve the goal of disarming Hezbollah. ” Gamliel also signalled that Israel intends to maintain its military presence in parts of southern Lebanon.
Vance says Hormuz transit will remain toll-free during talks US Vice President JD Vance said vessels using the Strait of Hormuz will not be charged transit fees during the 60-day period of negotiations envisaged under the agreement between Washington and Tehran. In an interview with NBC News, Vance said: “What the deal says is that for the 60 days that we’re negotiating the final deal, there will be toll-free access in and out of the Strait of Hormuz. ” Vance dismissed reports that Iran intended to impose shipping fees, suggesting they reflected domestic political messaging rather than the terms of the agreement.
Democrats question Iran deal and demand greater transparency US Democratic senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Adam Schiff have joined a growing number of lawmakers questioning the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran. In a post on X, Whitehouse criticised the lack of publicly available details about the agreement, writing: “If they’re spinning the Iran deal without showing any text, pretty good sign it’s worse than Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal. ” Schiff also criticised the agreement, arguing that it delivered few tangible gains for the United States beyond reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing a commitment to future negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Senior Democrat says lawmakers must review Iran accord US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for Congress to receive an immediate briefing on the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, Al Jazeera reported. “Congress must be immediately briefed on the terms of this agreement,” Shaheen said, adding that lawmakers would review any future nuclear accord as required under US law. While describing the shift towards diplomacy as “long overdue”, Shaheen argued that the conflict had failed to achieve its central objectives.
Iran set for World Cup opener hours after US-Iran peace deal Iran will begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against New Zealand just hours after Tehran and Washington announced an agreement to end more than 100 days of conflict. The Group G match is scheduled to be played in Los Angeles, one of the host cities for the tournament being staged by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The conflict has already affected Iran’s preparations for the tournament.
