The US-Iran agreement was signed on Friday in Lucerne. The US port blockade has been lifted

‘A US-Iran agreement? Always call for peace, always call for negotiation. Thank God it seems there is this memorandum; it appears they will officially sign it on Friday: there will be several points to be finalised, but it is always better to achieve this through dialogue. I hope this will be a solution to the war, that the war will be over. We must move forward for the good of all, eliminate nuclear weapons, seek the good of all peoples and resolve the economic and social problems’ that the war has caused.” So said Pope Leo XIV, speaking to journalists as he left Castel Gandolfo.

Israel fears that Iran may exploit the 60 days of negotiations provided for in the memorandum of understanding with the United States to press ahead with its nuclear programme and make progress towards building a nuclear weapon. This is according to Channel 12, citing senior Israeli government officials. According to the broadcaster, Israel’s assessment is that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has no intention of reaching a final nuclear agreement and approved the memorandum of understanding primarily to open the Strait of Hormuz and alleviate the regime’s economic situation. Israeli defence officials have warned that Tehran ‘will drag out the process and the 60 days of negotiations will turn into something much’ longer, Channel 12 continues, as quoted by the Times of Israel. Another source stated that he would be surprised if Tehran did not use “every effort and trick at its disposal to delay a breakthrough on the nuclear issue, using the negotiations as a cover”.

Oil prices continue to fall following the announcement of a truce between Iran and the United States. Brent crude, which today fell below the $80-per-barrel mark for the first time since early March, continues to fall, settling below $79 at $78.76, down 5.30 per cent. WTI prices are also down to $75.8, a fall of 6.12%.

“An excellent meeting with Mohamed Bin Zayed at the G7 summit in Evian. With the agreement between the United States and Iran, the time has come for Iran to put an end to its unjustified attacks on neighbouring countries. This crisis has highlighted the need for Europe and the Gulf states to strengthen their cooperation. There are numerous opportunities on the horizon for relations between the EU and the United Arab Emirates, ranging from trade to security cooperation. Let us take this forward at our forthcoming EU–Gulf Cooperation Council summit.’ European Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote this on X following their meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates.

The television channel Al Arabiya has claimed to have obtained a copy of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, which is due to be signed on Friday in Lucerne. According to the Saudi media outlet, the document provides for an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the lifting of the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and the restoration of maritime traffic by Tehran ‘to pre-war levels’ within thirty days, taking into account the time required to clear the sea route of mines. The text of the agreement also stipulates that the Islamic Republic ‘will never produce nuclear weapons’, whilst ‘the fate of enriched uranium will be dealt with appropriately’ in subsequent technical negotiations. Pending these negotiations, ‘Iran will maintain the current status quo and the United States will not impose any new sanctions’. For its part, Washington, as confirmed by Al Arabiya, “will draw up a comprehensive plan together with regional partners for Iran’s rehabilitation and economic development, guaranteeing funding of at least 300 billion dollars”, through a mechanism to be formulated within 60 days of the signing. There are also plans to ‘unfreeze Iranian assets’ and grant ‘exemptions for Iranian oil exports’. Finally, following the signing of the memorandum, ‘the final agreement will be approved by means of a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council’.

Germany is to send a minesweeper and a support vessel, currently in the Mediterranean, to Djibouti on the Red Sea, whilst a possible mission to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz is under discussion. This was announced today by the German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius.

Any German participation in a mission in the Strait of Hormuz must first be approved by Parliament, Pistorius clarified.

For the first time, an Israeli official has publicly admitted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the US and Iran contains provisions relating to Lebanon. In an interview on NPR’s “Morning Edition” radio programme, the Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, explained that he was not aware of the details of the agreement but said: “We are less than encouraged by the fact that it appears Lebanon has been included in the agreement with Iran, and we believe this is pointless and counterproductive.” Israel has insisted that its army will remain in southern Lebanon, which it has occupied, and that it will continue its attacks against Hezbollah, the paramilitary group backed by Tehran.

The United States will allow Iran to start selling oil immediately under the agreement reached, offering Tehran an immediate economic incentive to end the war. This is reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing sources who say the deal includes exemptions from sanctions on crude oil sales that will come into force immediately after Friday’s signing.

The Israeli Supreme Court has rejected an appeal for the release of a prominent Palestinian doctor who has been detained without charge since he was captured in Gaza at the end of 2024.

Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, is one of a group of doctors from Gaza – at least 14 in total – who have been detained in Israel without charge for over a year. He may continue to be detained under the Israeli law on illegal combatants, despite no criminal charges having been brought against him. This is reported by the Times of Israel, which states that the text of the decision and the grounds for it have not yet been made public.

An Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister has announced that the US blockade of the country’s ports, which has been in place for around two months, has been lifted.

“The ban was lifted before the official signing,” said Majid Takht-Ravanchi, as quoted on the Tehran government’s website, which notes that the lifting of this ban was one of the key points raised by Iran in order to reach an agreement.

At least two people have been killed and one injured in Lebanon following several Israeli drone strikes carried out in the south of the country this afternoon. L’Orient-Le Jour reports this, specifying that the deaths occurred in Mayfadoun, in the Nabatieh district. It had previously reported on several Israeli attacks that had struck Nabatieh el-Faouqa, Kfar Tebnit and the Ali al-Taher hills in the Nabatieh region of southern Lebanon. “This is the most intense bombardment since the announcement of the agreement between the United States and Iran on Sunday evening,” writes the newspaper. The bombardments caused several fires in the woods of Ali al-Taher.

Hezbollah has received assurances from Iran that Tehran will call for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon in the next phase of talks with the US. The Lebanese group itself made this known, as reported by Al-Jazeera.

The United States has rejected Israel’s request to see the text of the memorandum of understanding with Iran, which is due to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland. This was reported by the Israeli broadcaster Channel 12. Trump, who is currently attending the G7 talks in Evian, has announced his intention to read out the contents of the agreement “aloud” and “word for word” at a press conference in the coming days.

The text of the agreement between Iran and the United States is to be signed on Friday at the Burgenstock Hotel in Lucerne. This has been reported by the Swiss Government.

“Session on the Middle East with regional partners. Firstly, we must ensure the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, without restrictions. Secondly, events in the Strait have highlighted vulnerabilities that we must address. We should work together to identify alternative supply routes and new corridors, such as the IMEC. With better connectivity, we can turn vulnerabilities into opportunities.” This was written on X by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is attending the G7 summit in Evian. “We also discussed Lebanon. Because a stable and peaceful Middle East requires a stable and peaceful Lebanon,” she added.

Donald Trump has made his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clear, telling reporters at the G7 summit in Evian that Netanyahu must be “more responsible towards Lebanon”. “Without me, Israel wouldn’t exist, because no other president was willing to do what I did,” Trump said, as quoted by CNN, in response to a question about his possible frustration with Netanyahu. “I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi needs to be more responsible towards Lebanon,” he added, referring to the Israeli prime minister.

Although the agreement between Washington and Tehran is crucial for security in the Middle East, it is also “very important” for Iran. This was emphasised by the Qatari leader.

Qatar has played a key role in mediation efforts since the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on 28 February. “Whenever our friends ask us for help, we are always ready to assist,” Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani told the US President during a press conference in Evian-les-Bains, France, on the occasion of the G7 summit.

Tehran has confirmed that the United States has begun lifting the naval blockade against Iran. This was stated by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi. “The lifting of the naval blockade against Iran has begun and is moving into the operational phase,” said Takht-Ravanchi, according to reports by the Iranian news agency ISNA.

Donald Trump is not convinced by Israel’s military action in Lebanon, pointing out that Israel has been fighting Hezbollah ‘for too long and too many people are being killed’. According to the US president, ‘it is not necessary to demolish an entire building every time you are looking for someone, because many people live in those buildings... and they are not all members of Hezbollah’.

Trump explained that he had “suggested to Israel that they let Syria deal with Hezbollah because, to be honest, I think it would do a better job”. The White House occupant also stated that he “did not like” the Israeli attack on Beirut, which took place “two hours” before the signing of the agreement with Iran.

“All hell will break loose on Iran if it tries to acquire a nuclear weapon.” US President Donald Trump made this statement today on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France. “The only thing I really care about is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and I say that loud and clear,” he said, referring to the agreement with Tehran.

From our correspondent

SIDON - A video. Photos of the avocado plantation, green and lush. The house keys. Of the world as it once was, Bassem now possesses very little. Dhayra, his village perched on the hills of southern Lebanon, is no more. The stone houses dating back to Ottoman times are gone, as are the mosque and the small market. The school and the municipal offices are gone. Dhayra has been wiped off the map, like so many villages in the south bordering Israel. Seen from the drone’s eye, it now appears as a large, grey, blurred patch bursting out of the greenery. Nothing more.

“We are now moving on to the second phase regarding Iran,” said Donald Trump, speaking at the G7 summit in Evian, adding that he did not believe “there will be a regime change in Iran”.

Further reading

The peace of the ‘todos caballeros’: Trump and Iran celebrate, Israel is left on its own

15 June 2026

The Iranian foreign minister said on Tuesday that any agreement to end the war with the United States would also require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, raising questions about the agreement – which has not yet been published – and about the possibility that a disagreement over its terms could prolong the conflict.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told diplomats from other countries that Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran, according to remarks broadcast on Iranian state television.

“The continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory is a violation of the memorandum of understanding” between Iran and the US. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who emphasised that an end to the war in Iran and Lebanon are interlinked. Any Israeli attack on Lebanon from now on “will never be accepted”, he added, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

The agreement between Washington and Tehran would allow Israel to continue its military operations in Lebanon. A Pakistani source familiar with the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran told Haaretz that the agreement includes wording on Lebanon that effectively allows Israel to continue its military operations in the country, stating: “In this agreement, everyone gets something, including Israel.” A second source familiar with the details said that the wording of the agreement regarding Lebanon is very vague and confirmed that Israel has interpreted the framework as not restricting the continuation of fighting in Lebanon. This update follows statements made yesterday by a senior White House official, according to whom Israel would not be required to withdraw from Lebanon under the agreement currently being drawn up with Iran.

Several advisers to US President Donald Trump were taken by surprise by Saturday evening’s announcement that an agreement had been reached with Iran. This is according to the Wall Street Journal, citing US sources. According to the newspaper, the advisers believed that the terms of the agreement were still under discussion and had not been finalised when Trump announced on his social media platform ‘Truth’ that a ‘great deal’ had been reached that would bring ‘beautiful peace’ to the region.

- Speaking this afternoon following his bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in Evian, US President Donald Trump gave his assurance that “the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open by Friday”

The United States does not need “much help” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump told this to French President Emmanuel Macron.

- “I would like France to be able to deploy one or two ships” to ensure the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump said today at the G7 summit in Evian, during his bilateral meeting with Emmanuel Macron. The French president replied: “We are ready to have fighter jets on site as early as tomorrow, which can assist with reconnaissance missions. Within 48 hours, frigates can obviously be deployed, followed by the aircraft carrier. In short, we are

- The CIA has gathered intelligence that raises serious doubts about Iran’s willingness to make the concessions sought by the United States in a potential final agreement. According to Axios, CIA Director John Ratcliffe reported this to Donald Trump and other administration officials. Ratcliffe is not the only sceptic, however; Senator Marco Rubio and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth have also raised concerns and expressed worries about Iran.

“Iran has agreed never to acquire nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the story that the United States is paying Tehran $300 million is fake news spread by the Democrats.” This was stated by US President Donald Trump on his social media platform Truth. The tycoon wrote ‘millions’, but he is likely referring to the $300 billion fund for Iran that his deputy JD Vance has also spoken about

Further reading

Meloni’s thaw in relations with Trump. But Rome’s approval of the mission to Hormuz is conditional

16 June 2026

If Iran and the United States reach a final nuclear agreement, Washington will withdraw the forces deployed for the conflict within 30 days and lift all sanctions against Tehran according to a pre-established timetable. This is reported by Axios, citing several sources

Further reading

Italian minesweepers and support vessels for the Strait of Hormuz: the Crotone and the Rimini are already in Djibouti, with 500 military personnel on board

16 June 2026

US Vice-President J.D. Vance has said he believes Israel will sign up to the agreement between the United States and Iran currently being negotiated.

“We know that this agreement will make Israel safer, and will make the entire region safer,” Vance told NBC News in an interview. “I’ve noticed a lot of misinformation about this agreement, sometimes in the Iranian media, sometimes in the Israeli media,” he explained.