MoU 20260619

• United States Vice President JD Vance has defended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran amid criticism from US lawmakers and Israeli officials, warning the top US ally that “you can’t kill your way out” of security problems.
• US Central Command (CENTCOM) says it has lifted a blockade “on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas”.
• Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says that the Persian Gulf Strait Authority has been charged with issuing permits as fast as possible for commercial vessels wishing to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says he initially disagreed with the US-Iran deal but ultimately approved it after receiving assurances from Iran’s leadership that the country’s interests would be protected.

Some Republican members of Congress, particularly the hawks among them, have argued that Iran has been given too many concessions in terms of this memorandum of understanding.

They point in particular to the immediate waiver of the sanctions on the export of Iranian oil as an example of the administration being too soft on Iran.

The administration counters by saying that it is trying to do what is best for the US, and it’s indeed doing what is best for the US, and we heard from the vice president that not a cent of American money is going to Iran in terms of the settlement.

The administration is very sensitive on this particular point, and the vice president was arguing very strongly that this deal has got safeguards in it. It relies on Iranian compliance, as he puts it, and the sanctions are linked to nuclear discussions, for example.

So, Vance is intent on explaining to the American public that there are safeguards in this, and this agreement is in both nations’ interests.

Top US Democratic senator slams Trump’s ‘incompetence’

Iran ‘brought the devils of the world to their knees’, says senior Iranian official

Iran’s Ghalibaf says Tehran won’t tolerate US breaches of MoU

US warns Israel to comply with Lebanon terms

Iranian president welcomes Qatar’s role in facilitating US-Iran deal

US relationship with Israel is ‘volatile’ and ‘dangerous’

Vance not going to Switzerland tonight; plans for Iran talks not finalized: White House

The real reason why Vance is not going is that Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif had announced yesterday, that he's not going. No reason for his decision has been given.

In diplomacy, there is a custom that attendants to a ceremony must be of equal level.

What China has said about the US-Iran MoU

Oil prices drop on prospect of more supply via Strait of Hormuz

Israeli diplomat says country committed to Lebanon ‘ceasefire’

“remains committed”

Late 2024 to Early 2025: Immediately following the November 2024 ceasefire, Israel continued military operations, with the UN documenting over 7,500 airspace and 2,500 ground violations by November 2025.

Late 2025: The Lebanese government formally filed a complaint with the UN Security Council detailing 2,036 Israeli violations between October and December 2025 alone, citing persistent air strikes and restricted access to southern villages.

February 2026: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) recorded 50 air strikes in a single month following the truce, marking one of the heaviest surges in Israeli military action up to that point.

April 2026: Following a US-brokered ten-day truce in mid-April, Lebanese researchers documented 220 Israeli ceasefire breaches within a single 48-hour window.

June 2026: Iranian officials reported that Israeli forces committed 84 ceasefire violations in a span of just two days leading up to mid-June.

Gaza

Total Violations (Oct 10, 2025 to Mid-June 2026): 3,269

April 2026 alone: 377 violations, resulting in 111 deaths and 376 injuries

Could take months for ‘normalisation’ of traffic through Strait of Hormuz

Sixty days ‘not very long’ to move beyond ‘vague’ MoU

‘Israel has had its way, and we’ve seen the results’

Pentagon wants $80bn to cover costs of Iran war, other bills: Report

How does MoU compare with Obama-era JCPOA?

Trump has hailed the deal with Iran as being better than the deal brokered by former US President Barack Obama in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),

Trump unilaterally withdrew from that pact during his first term in 2018.

But analysts warn it is too soon to determine whether the MoU will result in a comprehensive deal significantly different from the 18-page Obama-era document, which took several years to negotiate and included nuclear experts.

Shahram Akbarzadeh, director of the Middle East Studies Forum at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, said the MoU “does not address any issue of substance”.

“It simply leaves all questions regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and enrichment to be negotiated between the United States and Iran,” he said.

US lawmaker says ‘thousands died for nothing’ in Trump’s ‘catastrophic’ war

Switzerland says US-Iran talks will no longer take place

Israel says it ‘continues to strike Hezbollah’ in southern Lebanon

This latest Israeli attack on Lebanon, which took place just after midnight local time, seems to be one of the most serious and concerted by the Israeli military since the interim agreement came into force nearly a week ago.

There are reports of artillery and drone attacks in several locations. In the Nabatieh district, where different villages and buildings were hit, the Israeli air attacks seemed to continue until daybreak.

It seems as though the largest death toll came from an attack on a residential building in the village of Harouf. There are reports that as many as 16 people could have been killed in these attacks.

The Israeli military has also released a statement confirming that these attacks have been carried out, because of what it says have been breaches of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah, and that these attacks will continue.

This content is added as it reads like it is the Israeli way to stampede against the fact that Lebanon is included in the MoU.

"... because of what it says have been breaches of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah, ... "

The Israelis are saying that they are not part of the MoU, that they are not binded. So is Hezbollah not binded when it comes to the ceasefire agreement, the Israelis were forced by Trump to engaged. Hezbollah was excluded and therefore not binded to the ceasefire.

International law says that only parties who take part, and who sign the ceasefire, the agreement only binds to them, not parties who are excluded.

Lebanon appears to be ‘biggest potential threat’ to interim deal being upheld

There is a real expectation that what happens in Lebanon in the coming days and weeks could determine whether this interim agreement is going to stand.

Lebanon does seem to be the biggest potential threat to this agreement. Iran and Hezbollah have said the wording of this agreement, which talks about Lebanon’s integrity and sovereignty, means Israeli forces should quit the country’s south.

There is no indication from the Israelis that they will do that. On the contrary, all the statements from Netanyahu and his ministers seem to indicate that they are determined to remain and to continue enforcing the so-called buffer zone.

In fact, the Israeli armed war belligerent put out yesterday updated maps showing their areas of operation in the south, which show that they’ve actually been expanded. The war belligerent has also failed to rule out the possibility that they will carry out attacks if they deem fit, further north of the Litani River, further into Lebanon itself.

Iran emphasizing it is ‘in control’ of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is the most essential form of leverage and deterrence Iran has.

Iran has been quite clear – the strategic environment in the strait has changed because of the war, and it will never accept the pre-war situation there. Iran is talking about a new maritime regime.

Last night, the country’s Supreme National Security Council, the highest security apparatus in the country, released a statement saying there will not be tolls in the strait for the next 60 days, as per the MoU.

However, the council emphasized that any tanker wanting to pass through the strait needs to coordinate with Iran, particularly its maritime body, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. That administration will provide clearance for passage and set the time and the lanes that vessels can use to pass.

So, what we see here is Iran saying it is not going to give up on the Strait of Hormuz, and it is in control of organizing ships’ passage – both now and after 60 days.

France says US must put pressure on Israel to stop hostilities in Lebanon

Israel’s Ben-Gvir says all of Lebanon ‘must burn’ after deaths of soldiers

Israel’s Smotrich calls to open ‘gates of hell’ on Lebanon

Israel’s continuing occupation of Lebanon a ‘major hurdle’ before US-Iran talks

The timeline for implementing the commitments under the US-Iran MoU is going to be up to the parties.

Essentially, what they’ve agreed upon is the immediate flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. That is happening. Also happening, the US has lifted all its restrictions on Iranian naval ports.

There is a cessation of hostilities between the two countries, but Lebanon remains the main question. The Israeli media are reporting that four Israeli soldiers were killed in Lebanon. Israel is continuing to occupy southern Lebanese territory, and there are ongoing clashes on Lebanese soil.

For the Iranians, this is a red flag because they want to ensure there is a ceasefire and respect for territorial integrity, including in Lebanon. Whether that is included will be a major hurdle before these talks begin.

Switzerland talks ‘postponed’, but ‘not off’

Very careful language around the expected talks between the US and Iran are used after attendees cancelled their presence.

Yesterday, the Pakistani prime minister say his visit to Switzerland is postponed.

Then, the US vice president say that he still expects to go to Switzerland over the weekend but even he has said he's not going.

Some sources in the mediating team say that the talks are not off, but they’ve been postponed for now.

That is also what the Swiss Foreign Ministry is saying. They say that preparations for these talks to get under way in Burgenstock are still ongoing.

Lack of independent oversight over US, Iran could impede deal’s implementation

Japan-linked vessel safely passes Hormuz, says country’s PM

This was one of the most concerted attacks by Israeli forces since the US-Iran MoU came into effect. Israel attacked multiple locations in southern Lebanon, but mainly around the Nabatieh district.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has put the casualty figures from these overnight attacks at 18 dead and 33 injured. A broad swath of southern Lebanon was attacked – nearly a dozen different locations, mainly centred around the towns of al-Sharqiyah and Harouf.

The wave of attacks began just after midnight, with artillery, drone and warplane attacks reported throughout the night and continuing into the past hours. We’re getting reports of people being newly displaced from the Nabatieh area and moving further north.

This is a very serious escalation. The Israelis have confirmed they carried out a number of attacks, blaming Hezbollah for what they claim were breaches of the ceasefire and saying these attacks will continue if they feel they are necessary.

China’s UN envoy calls on Israel to stop violating Gaza ceasefire

Israel’s defense minister reiterates plan for military to stay in Lebanon

25 vessels cross Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran deal, data shows

Iranian officials ‘in no rush’ to start technical talks

In Iran, there is a bitter memory of the JCPOA [the Iran nuclear deal agreed to in 2015 under the administration of former US President Barack Obama that Trump withdrew from during his first term on office].

So, Iranians are engaging in diplomacy, but they have this past experience. That’s why Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been extremely cautious.

In a recent statement, Khamenei said that while he “held a different view” on the US-Iran MoU, he granted his permission for it after receiving assurances from Iranian officials that Iran’s rights would be safeguarded. So, you can see that his permission is conditional.

That’s why Iranian officials are not in a rush to engage in the technical talks or negotiations – they know any failure would come with huge responsibility and cost.

Netanyahu says Israeli army will stay in Lebanon ‘as long as necessary’

Israeli troops will stay in Lebanon “as long as necessary”, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promising to make Hezbollah pay a “heavy price” for its attacks.

“Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks,” Netanyahu said in a statement on social media, after the military announced the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in Lebanon.

“Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary for the protection of the communities of the north,” he added.

‘as long as necessary’

Gaza: 1967- 2005 colonized

Gaza: 2007 to present occupied as it is part of the occupied Palestinian Territory

Lebanon: 1982-2000

Hezbollah says will ‘defend their land, people’ against Israeli attacks

Hezbollah has pledged to defend Lebanon’s territory and people against Israeli attacks, accusing its foe of violating a ceasefire in place since April 16.

“The Islamic Resistance will remain vigilant against any aggression. Its fighters will defend their land and people,” the Iran-backed armed group said in a statement, refuting Israeli accusations that it had violated the truce, and insisting “the enemy has never complied with any ceasefire agreement.”

Bur Netanyahu had said that Israeli troops will stay in Lebanon “as long as necessary,” promising to make Hezbollah pay a “heavy price” for its attacks.

Despite the US-Iran MoU calling for a halt to its offensive against Lebanon, Israel’s military says it will continue to carry out attacks against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in the country’s south.

Further Israeli attacks on Lebanon could impede US-Iran negotiations

If Israel continues to occupy and launch attacks on southern Lebanon, it could severely impede negotiations between the US and Iran, says defense analyst Alex Alfirraz Scheers.

While US officials have sought to minimize the impact of Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, the Iranians have steadily maintained that “the ceasefire between the US and Iran is closely interlinked, if not inextricable, from what’s going on in the Lebanese front,” Alfirraz Scheers said.

“So, it is very possible that Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon and beyond … could prove to be a serious obstacle to how negotiations between the US and Iran actually flow going forward.”

The analyst said it remains unclear whether the US could actually exert sufficient pressure on Israel to rein in its troops.

This is because the Israelis see this “as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally rid themselves of the Hezbollah threat”, he said, adding that Netanyahu, his allies and Israeli parties across the political spectrum adamantly oppose halting operations in southern Lebanon and – if anything – want to launch further ones there.

Persian Gulf Strait Authority says vessels allowed to cross Hormuz without fees

Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority has announced that vessels seeking to cross the Strait of Hormuz will be granted access under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding for 60 days.

In a statement on X, the authority explained that vessels will need to submit their requests to cross at least 48 hours before wanting to depart.

The authority said that during the 60 days, no fees will be charged to vessels.

It said the costs of security, safety, environmental services, and related Iranian insurance coverage will be borne by Iran’s government.

‘Pretty evident’ no ceasefire exists in Lebanon

In the US media it was reported that JD Vance was going to the signing venue in Switzerland, that those who would join him where at Joint Base Andrews with Air Force Two on the tarmac with JD Vance’s staff ready to take off, and then suddenly it was postponed, and JD Vance said he was coming here.

That leads anyone to believe that it’s definitely the Iranian side that has a problem.

Why did the Iranian side have a problem? Two theories are floating around.

One, the supreme leader was very reluctant for this, the MoU, to be signed; perhaps he does not want there to be a photo opportunity with JD Vance, perhaps that’s something that goes a little too far for the Iranians at this point.

The other factor is Lebanon. It’s covered by this memorandum of understanding; there’s supposed to be a ceasefire, but it’s pretty evident there isn’t.

Netanyahu dealing with ‘lose-lose’ situation in southern Lebanon

Cyrus Schayegh, a professor of international history and politics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, explained that Netanyahu is in a “lose-lose” situation in southern Lebanon: Either continue attacks and deal with Trump’s wrath, or stop and “incur the wrath of the Israeli public”.

“Now the United States can and probably will try to put more pressure on the Israelis to stop. The question is whether that will be enough for the Iranians. Exactly what is enough for the Iranians remains to be seen,” Schayegh explained.

He added that the US could start to threaten “real action” to pressure Netanyahu to cease his attacks on southern Lebanon by using financial and military tools.

“Basically downgrading some sort of military relationship with the Israelis, in the long term. So, there is a whole set of tools that they have and I would like to remind … you that back in 1991 the United States did indeed really use these tools vis-a-vis Israel,” he said.

Lebanon’s president slams ‘dangerous, reprehensible escalation’ from Israel

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has said Israel’s intensified attacks in Lebanon’s south and Bekaa Valley in the east are jeopardising ongoing peace efforts, but that Lebanon will keep pursuing a “comprehensive ceasefire”.

“What we are witnessing today in the south and the Bekaa Valley – the expansion of Israeli attacks and the increased killing and destruction – constitutes a dangerous and reprehensible escalation,” said Aoun, in comments carried by Lebanon’s National News Agency.

He added that the attacks, affecting dozens of civilians, including women and children, undermine “all ongoing efforts to solidify the ceasefire and end the war, particularly after the recent developments between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

“This will not prevent us from working towards achieving a comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible, and this is what I have recommended to the Lebanese negotiating delegation in the upcoming round of talks in Washington,” Aoun added.

Iran’s FM spokesman condemns Israel’s ‘continued war-making’ in Lebanon, says US bears responsibility

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has denounced Israel’s latest attacks in Lebanon, saying Israel’s “continued war-making” would have “serious and immediate consequences”.

In comments posted on the ministry’s Telegram channel, Baghaei said the US bears direct responsibility for the Israeli attacks, citing the first article of the US-Iran MoU, which calls for an end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

He said Iran would take the necessary measures to protect the interests, security and rights of itself and its allies.

Can US-Iran peace ‘deal’ survive Israeli bombing of Lebanon?

Neither side has given an official reason for canceling trips to begin the awaited talks, which were to be held at the Burgenstock Resort in Stansstad, near Lucerne in central Switzerland.

A statement from the White House noted that “the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized,” adding that the Vance-led delegation is “prepared to depart at the first available opportunity”.

However, it added, “the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now, the vice president is not departing tonight.”

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that there was no confirmation that Iranian negotiators would travel for the talks, because they first wanted ⁠to see signs that the interim agreement, which includes Lebanon in the US-Iran ceasefire, is being implemented.

Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire: senior US official

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire set to begin at 4pm local time (1pm GMT) today, a senior US official has told the Reuters news agency.

“Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” said the official, adding that negotiators for the US and Qataris worked out the deal with help from Iran.

“We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire.”

Trump says Iran, not US, in position of ‘desperation’

The US president has posted a message on Truth Social, appearing to respond to criticism of the interim agreement with Iran.

“We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did,” Trump wrote. “They are FINISHED!”

“We’ll play out the 60 days,” he added, in reference to the 60-day period of negotiations for a final deal outlined in the MOU.

“They get no money, not ten cents!” he said.

Analysts in the summaries have all a common view: Iran gained what it wanted.

Hezbollah says it implemented ceasefire with Israel immediately: Reuters

Two Hezbollah sources told the Reuters news agency that the group has implemented a ceasefire with Israel.

It comes after a senior US official told the agency that the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire set to begin at 4pm local time (13:00 GMT) today.

Araghchi says Israel only interested in ‘permanent war’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has slammed the far-right Israeli national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called for Lebanon to “burn” after a night of intense fighting in southern Lebanon killed four soldiers.

“This is not a rant by a random genocidal lunatic. It’s a public post by the national security minister of the Israeli regime,” Araghchi wrote on X.

“The genocidal death cult headquartered in Tel Aviv is a threat to all of humanity. It threatens all humans. Its only interest is permanent war,” he added.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of violating ceasefire

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee has said Israeli forces retain “full operational freedom” in Lebanon and will continue to act against what Israel describes as threats from Hezbollah.

In a post on X, Adraee accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire “in an attempt to prevent our forces from completing the destruction of its capabilities”.

It remains unclear if this refers to the ceasefire, reported by the Reuters news agency, which was due to take place at 4pm local time (1pm GMT), or an earlier ceasefire agreement.

Adraee said the Israeli military had attacked more than 100 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including in the Bekaa Valley and Nabatieh, and claimed that “dozens” were killed in the strikes.

The Israeli military will “enjoy full operational freedom to remove threats in every area where the Chief of the General Staff has instructed the provision of all capabilities to the military forces in the field,” the spokesperson said.

At least four Israeli strikes since latest ceasefire takes effect

Half an hour after a ceasefire was supposed to take effect [between Israel and Hezbollah], there have already been four significant air strikes here in southern Lebanon – one in the city of Nabatieh, two in Kfar Tebnit and another in Kfar Sir. There has also been Israeli artillery shelling in a separate location.

It doesn’t feel much like a ceasefire.

Instead, there is a sense of déjà vu. Each time a ceasefire is announced, we see a renewed burst of military activity on the ground.

An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces retain the “operational freedom” to respond to threats in southern Lebanon and to act against Hezbollah.

That has left many people here questioning what a ceasefire actually means.

“operational freedom”

This can only be claimed when that is agreed by Hezbollah. But no one have seen the agreement, knows the details let alone the process to this ceasefire.

If Hezbollah does not confirm that it accepted such a freedom then there is no ceasefire.

Senior Israeli official confirms Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire: Reuters

A senior Israeli official has confirmed to the Reuters news agency that there is a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

However, he warned that if Hezbollah attacks Israel, “then we are in war time.”

The official added that Israeli forces would remain ⁠in southern Lebanon, where it currently occupies a large area.

Southern Lebanon hit by at least 12 Israeli strikes since ceasefire

At least 12 Israeli air strikes and ongoing artillery shelling have been reported in southern Lebanon since a ceasefire was reported to have taken effect at 4pm local time today (13:00 GMT).

Local time air strikes (UTC+3):

• 16:00 – Air strike on Kfar Reman
• 16:05 – Air strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa
• 16:10 – Air strike on Kfar Sir
• 16:14 – Second air strike on Kfar Sir
• 16:17 – Air strike on the Nabatieh–Zibdin–Choukin area
• 16:20 – Second air strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa
• 16:25 – Third air strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa
• 16:25 – Air strike on Jabal al-Rafie
• 16:36 – Air strike on al-Rayhan
• 16:41 – Air strike on Adshit
• 16:41 – Air strike on Masir Habboush
• 16:45 – Third air strike on Kfar Sir

In addition, continuous artillery shelling has been reported in Nabatieh and the surrounding areas since 16:48 local time.

Late 2024 to Early 2025: Immediately following the November 2024 ceasefire, Israel continued military operations, with the UN documenting over 7,500 airspace and 2,500 ground violations by November 2025.

Late 2025: The Lebanese government formally filed a complaint with the UN Security Council detailing 2,036 Israeli violations between October and December 2025 alone, citing persistent air strikes and restricted access to southern villages.

February 2026: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) recorded 50 air strikes in a single month following the truce, marking one of the heaviest surges in Israeli military action up to that point.

April 2026: Following a US-brokered ten-day truce in mid-April, Lebanese researchers documented 220 Israeli ceasefire breaches within a single 48-hour window.

June 2026: Iranian officials reported that Israeli forces committed 84 ceasefire violations in a span of just two days leading up to mid-June.

Gaza

Total violations committed by Israelis (Oct 10, 2025 to Mid-June 2026): 3,269

April 2026 alone: 377 violations by the Israelis, resulting in 111 deaths and 376 injuries

Iranian foreign ministry says Friday meeting with US postponed

Iran’s foreign ministry says the meeting between the US and Iran due to be held in Switzerland on Friday has been postponed, Reuters is reporting.

It said that plans were under way for the meeting to be held in the coming days and talks on the final agreement depended on the implementation of parts of the MoU.

As the Israelis are testing US-Iran deal in Lebanon, Trump must rein in Netanyahu

It is not another anonymously sourced report about a rift between the United States and Israel. This time, Trump's administration appears genuinely frustrated with Netanyahu’s war in Lebanon.

The opening of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran calls for the “permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, but the Israelis are not stopping their attacks in the country.

The Israeli military is continuing its deadly strikes in Lebanon and trying to advance further with its invasion, pledging to keep hold of the territory it has conquered, amounting to nearly 20 percent of the country.

The Trump administration is making it clear that it is irked by Israel’s behavior.

Iran says nuclear status quo to continue until deal finalized

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has denied reports that Tehran has invited the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its nuclear facilities.

He noted that, as pointed out in the MoU with the US, Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program pending a final deal.

Inspections of facilities that have been carried out until now, such as at Bushehr, will continue, he said.

Inspections of other facilities, for which the IAEA’s access was suspended due to the war, will depend on the process and outcome of the negotiations, Baghaei added.