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June 25, 2026e-Paper
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June 25, 2026e-Paper
Updated – June 17, 2026 06:50 am IST
People returning to their village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, check their destroyed houses in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon on Tuesday, (June 16, 2026). | Photo Credit: AP
Iran on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) said talks with the United States on its nuclear programme and sanctions relief would likely begin later this week, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen sent oil prices tumbling.
Officials say negotiations over a final deal will take place within a 60-day window after the memorandum of understanding to end nearly four months of war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran is physically signed.
In Focus podcast | Can the new U.S.-Iran deal hold?
A U.S.-Iran deal aimed at ending the West Asia war will be signed at Switzerland’s mountainside Burgenstock resort on Friday (June 19, 2026), the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed to AFP.
The site, located near Lucerne in central Switzerland, is difficult to access and therefore easily secured. It “was proposed by the Pakistani and Qatari mediators, as well as by the US and Iran”, Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry said.
Also read | West Asia war updates: June 15, 2026
The head of the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) that “unconditionally” opening the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf tanker traffic was essential to ending the shock from soaring oil and gas prices to economies worldwide.
“The single most important solution to this problem is the fully and unconditionally opening up of the state of Hormuz to shipping,” IEA chief Fatih Birol told a press conference.
The deal between Iran and the United States to end the West Asia war calls for the strait to be opened, but Iranian officials have said tolls or “service fees” could be imposed for ships passing through the crucial passage for Gulf oil and gas. — AFP
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) that the end of the Iran war included the end of Israel’s occupation of Lebanon, state TV reported.
Iranian state television quoted the top official making the comment to foreign diplomats in a briefing. It did not air the remarks, but put them in an on-screen graphic.
U.S.-Iran deal: Iranian FM Araghchi says end of war includes end of Israel's occupation of Lebanon
Iran's FM Araghchi links the end of war to Israel's occupation of Lebanon, highlighting regional tensions in a recent briefing.
Iran's FM Araghchi links the end of war to Israel's occupation of Lebanon, highlighting regional tensions in a recent briefing.
Iran will soon begin connecting its electricity grid to Qatar’s, with studies in the final stages and the project entering the early phase of execution, Iran’s Energy Minister said on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) according to Tasnim news agency.
Abbas Aliabadi added that studies were also underway to link Iran’s power grid with those of other Gulf countries. — Reuters
Lebanon said Israeli strikes killed four people in the country’s south today as Israel said it intercepted Hezbollah rockets and launched raids, despite a U.S.-Iran deal that includes Lebanon.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli drone strikes targeted two vehicles in the town of Mayfadoun and another in nearby Shukeen, both in the Nabatieh area, “leading to an initial toll of four dead” and others wounded.
The Israeli military said it conducted a strike in south Lebanon after it “identified a suspicious vehicle” where its soldiers were operating, without specifying where.
It also said its forces intercepted several rockets fired at Israeli soldiers in south Lebanon, following which the air force “struck and dismantled” a launcher.
– AFP
The Israeli military said today it conducted strikes in south Lebanon after intercepting rockets fired by Hezbollah against its troops in the area, despite a U.S.-Iran deal that includes the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The military said its forces intercepted several rockets fired at soldiers, following which the air force “struck and dismantled” the launcher from which some of the projectiles were fired.
The military also conducted a strike in south Lebanon after it “identified a suspicious vehicle where IDF soldiers were operating … to remove the threat”.
– AFP
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz stayed at a trickle today, maritime trackers indicated, two days after the U.S. promised to reopen it under an agreement with Iran to end their war.
As of 1500 GMT today, tracking platform Kpler had detected just four crossings of the strategic waterway that day by vessels carrying raw materials.
Five were detected yesterday — a similar rate to traffic during the week before the U.S.-Iran agreement to end the West Asia war, announced late Sunday (June 14, 2026).
“The Strait of Hormuz continues to operate below normal commercial levels, despite signals of diplomatic progress,” Kpler said on X.
– AFP
The son of the ousted shah of Iran spoke out today against any deal with Iran that leaves the Islamic government in place, as Washington prepared to sign an agreement with Tehran.
Speaking after meeting MPs during a visit to London, 65-year-old Reza Pahlavi said the international community should back opposition protesters rather than making peace with Iran.
“Dealing with this regime will fail and we will all face the consequences,” he declared in a social media post.
“The regime’s 47-year war against the Iranian people continues. Just as it has never made peace with its own citizens, it will never truly make peace with the world,” he said.
– AFP
The U.S. will allow Iran to immediately begin selling oil and fuel under the memorandum of understanding the two sides reached to end war, the Wall Street Journal reported today, citing people familiar with the agreement.
The provision for waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales takes effect once the agreement is signed this week and also covers services including banking, transportation and insurance to facilitate the sales, the newspaper reported the people saying.
– Reuters
Israeli drone strikes targeted three vehicles in southern Lebanon today, killing at least four people and wounding others, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.
Two people were killed in a double-tap strike, with a drone hitting a car in the village of Mayfadoun followed by a second strike after people had gathered at the scene.
Another drone strike on the town of Shoukin killed two other people, the agency said.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the reported strikes.
– Reuters
Israel must withdraw from “occupied areas” in Lebanon, Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said today in a call with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as Tehran and Washington planned to sign a peace deal on Friday (June 19, 2026) to end their war.
“The people of southern Lebanon must return to their homes”, Mr. Qalibaf added in a post on his Telegram channel.
– Reuters
Iran today said talks with the United States on its nuclear programme and sanctions relief would likely begin later this week, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen sent oil prices tumbling.
Officials say negotiations over a final deal will take place within a 60-day window after the memorandum of understanding to end nearly four months of war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran is physically signed.
“Likely on Friday, at a location to be determined… a new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States to reach a final agreement will begin,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
“In the final agreement, decisions will be made on the nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions.”
– AFP
Hezbollah’s chief today thanked Iran’s top negotiator for helping stop the “Israeli-American aggression” on Lebanon, after the announcement of a U.S.-Iran deal on ending the West Asia war that includes Lebanon.
In a message to Iranian parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem expressed “profound gratitude” for Iran’s efforts “to compel the Israeli entity to an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts including in Lebanon”.
“You have transformed the only effective glimmer of hope in ending the Israeli-American aggression on Lebanon into a reality that has proved to the world that Iran is the champion of truth and the resistance,” he said, according to the message published by Hezbollah.
– AFP
China’s top diplomat told his Pakistani counterpart today that the next phase of negotiations between the United States and Iran — which Pakistan has helped mediate — will be “more difficult”.
In a phone conversation ahead of the planned signing on Friday (June 19, 2026) of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding to end their war, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar that “it is foreseeable that, compared with the first stage, the second stage of negotiations will be more difficult”.
Mr. Wang added that the United Nations Security Council “should also play a greater role” in supporting these talks, according to a statement from Beijing’s Foreign Ministry.
“The current consensus is far from the final destination, rather it is a new starting point,” Mr. Wang said.
– AFP
An Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister today said the two-month U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports had been lifted ahead of the planned formal signing of a deal ending the war.
“The lifting of the blockade was something we had emphasised from the outset. It has now begun, and the blockade has been lifted prior to the formal signing” scheduled for Friday (June 19, 2026), said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, according to the government’s website.
– AFP
A U.S.-Iran deal aimed at ending the West Asia war will be signed at Switzerland’s mountainside Burgenstock resort on Friday (June 19, 2026), the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed to AFP.
The site, located near Lucerne in central Switzerland, is difficult to access and therefore easily secured. It “was proposed by the Pakistani and Qatari mediators, as well as by the U.S. and Iran”, Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry said.
– AFP
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. will soon be able to reimpose sanctions against Russian oil, at the G7 summit where leaders are seeking to ratchet up pressure against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
“Soon we will be able to do that as the oil is now flowing” through the Strait of Hormuz after the deal with Iran to end the West Asia war, Mr. Trump said. Washington had imposed and then extended a sanctions waiver for Russian oil cargoes already at sea, troubling European allies.
– AFP
Hezbollah has received assurances from its ally Iran that it will demand a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in its next phase of talks with the United States, Hezbollah’s media relations office told Reuters today.
A withdrawal would be the result of, and not a pre-condition for, continuing talks between Tehran and Washington following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on Friday (June 19, 2026), Hezbollah said.
The group told Reuters that there would be “no nuclear deal between Iran and the United States unless the Israelis withdraw” from Lebanon.
– Reuters
Oil and gas majors have high hopes for a quick reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but they have few illusions about a return to normal for the Gulf energy industry after more than three months of blockage.
Even if the deal between Iran and the United States to end the West Asia war holds, analysts say the old market certainties are gone for good — and the new risks will probably require costly adaptions.
“A credible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would be one of the most important developments for the global economy at this juncture,” said Claudio Galimberti, chief economist at Rystad Energy.
The shock of a near-doubling of oil prices since Iran effectively closed off the crucial waterway has fuelled inflation that could persist for months, threatening growth around the globe.
– AFP
Qatar, a key negotiator in the deal to end the war between the U.S. and Iran, said today it believed the agreement could deliver security to West Asia.
“We are cautiously optimistic that the signing of the memorandum of understanding will lead to the next phase of regional security through the talks that will take place on the nuclear programme and on other issues,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters at a regular press briefing.
– AFP
Three Iranian tankers and two vessels carrying essential goods are currently sailing toward Iranian southern ports from the Indian Ocean, Iranian state TV said today, despite a U.S. military advisory note saying yesterday that a blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect until Friday (June 19, 2026).
– Reuters
The United States has “no obligation” to invest in Iran even after its deal with the Islamic republic to end the Middle East war, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (June 16, 2026).
“We are not investing any money” in Iran, Mr. Trump said at the G7 summit in France after talks with the emir of Qatar, adding that the main focus of the deal was that Iran would not acquire a nuclear weapon and that “all hell” would “rain down” on the country if it did. — AFP
Trump asserts the Iran deal ensures Tehran won't acquire nuclear weapons while criticizing Israel's strategy in Lebanon and suggesting Syria's intervention.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) that the Iran deal was going to a second stage, and that the U.S. would not be investing any money in Iran.
“We have our deal done with Iran, and it should be successful, it goes to a second stage, which I think would be actually easier,” said Mr. Trump, speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France. — Reuters
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 (June 16, 2026).
“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.
He said US Vice President JD Vance will represent Washington, while “from Iran, it will be Mr Ghalibaf”. — AFP
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) that talks with the United States on a final agreement covering Tehran’s nuclear programme will likely begin on Friday (June 19, 2026).
“Likely on Friday, at a location to be determined… a new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States to reach a final agreement will begin,” Mr. Araghchi said in a briefing with foreign diplomats broadcast on state television. — AFP
RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) has written to the U.S. Ambassador protesting the killing of three Indian seafarers in separate incidents between June 8 and June 11 in U.S. attacks.
The outfit has demanded a transparent investigation and compensation for the victims’ families.
SJM protests to the United States over the killings of Indian seafarers, demanding investigation, accountability, and compensation for victims' families.
Iran’s theocratic rulers have seen off a U.S. military campaign, but their real problems may be about to begin: managing the competing demands of hardliners buoyed by surviving the onslaught and those of an impoverished, angry people.
Iran’s powerful hardliners are energised by a three-month confrontation they feel Iran has won. They want the leadership to take a tough stance in coming talks with the U.S. and prioritise rearming, confident they can halt any internal dissent with force.
Ordinary Iranians, however, are desperate for any peace dividend or financial relief to be used in raising living standards and offering better prospects after a destructive war that has followed years of painful sanctions. Both camps have high expectations, conflicting demands and little patience.
Looming in the background is the spectre of renewed mass protests like the unrest authorities quashed in January by killing thousands of demonstrators.
-Reuters
The draft MoU appears to defer the hardest questions rather than resolve them. This approach will suit Tehran because it preserves Iran’s existing nuclear capabilities
Trump and Iran reach a tentative peace with unresolved nuclear issues, postponing critical negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
Several hundred Iranian Americans protested outside Iran’s first World Cup match Monday, calling for change in Tehran and waving the prerevolution lion-and-sun flag.
People protest outside Los Angeles Stadium before the World Cup Group G match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026.
Read the match report here.
Leaders at the Group of Seven summit of major industrialised nations face a packed agenda on their first full day on Tuesday (June 16, 2026), including challenging discussions on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and addressing the West Asia crisis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in attendance at the invitation of host France.
G7 leaders discuss Ukraine and Middle East crises, with Zelenskyy attending summit talks in France amid ongoing tensions.
Shipowners will not resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz for weeks until they are confident that the U.S.-Iran deal is “material”, the chief executive of Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines told the Financial Times in an interview published on Tuesday (June 16, 2026).
“What will have to come in place is not just a simple agreement between the relevant countries, but it has to be material and translated into the real situations in the Strait of Hormuz, so that shipping lines can make themselves comfortable to go through,” Mitsui OSK’s Jotaro Tamura said.
– Reuters
The United States said on Monday (June 15, 2026) that ships will move toll-free through the Strait of Hormuz under an Iran peace deal signed by President Donald Trump, and insisted Tehran would have to fulfill its commitments before getting any economic benefits.
U.S. says Hormuz to be toll-free under Iran deal
U.S. announces toll-free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under Iran deal, contingent on Tehran meeting its commitments.
U.S. announces toll-free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under Iran deal, contingent on Tehran meeting its commitments.
Pakistan could improve economic projections for 2027 after the end of the Iran war, but it is still too early to revise the budget, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Reuters, hours after the U.S. and Iran signed a deal to end the fighting.
Damaged energy infrastructure meant supply chains would take time to return to normal, after the conflict pushed inflation back into double digits, Mr. Aurangzeb said.
“We were looking at how we manage the second, third-order impact in case this conflict continues,” he said. “The energy infrastructure has been hit. And therefore, it will take time before we return to normalcy in terms of supply chains.”
– Reuters
Equities mostly rose on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) and oil prices held losses following the previous day’s euphoric rally sparked by the U.S.-Iran peace deal that will reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald said ships were again moving through the strait and it would be “completely open” by Friday (June 19, 2026), while Iranian media said three oil tankers and two cargo ships had passed through the area that had been subject to a U.S. naval blockade.
– AFP
U.S. President Donald Trump, on Monday (June 15, 2026), said that Iran has agreed to never have a nuclear weapon.
“Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the U.S. is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the [Democrats],” he posted on Truth Social.
The United States said on Monday (June 15, 2026) that ships will move toll-free through the Strait of Hormuz under an Iran peace deal signed by President Donald Trump, and insisted Tehran would have to fulfill its commitments before getting any economic benefits.
They included a possible $300 billion reconstruction fund for the war-battered country, but the release of funds will be “tied to performance,” a senior Trump administration official said in a call with reporters.
But Mr. Vance admitted the brief outline deal kicks the thorniest issues — especially Iran’s nuclear program — down the road. “The MoU is about a page and a half, so it is a very general document,” Mr. Vance told CNN.
– AFP
All 20 Indian crew members of MT Jalveer, who were evacuated after their vessel came under attack off an Oman port, have now safely returned home, the Indian mission in Muscat said on Monday (June 16, 2026).
– PTI
Announcing the peace deal with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had authorised the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of the U.S. naval blockade. He later indicated that ships were already moving along the route close to Oman.
– M. Kalyanaraman
Republicans on Capitol Hill said on Monday (June 15, 2026) they need more information about the agreement between the United States and Iran announced by President Donald Trump, and some are expressing skepticism as they ask the White House for details.
“I just don’t know enough about it,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters in the Capitol. “Even the people who follow this stuff closely up here don’t know that much about it.”
Congressional leaders and intelligence committees generally receive higher-level intelligence briefings before rank-and-file members, and they are notified of major developments before they are announced. But Mr. Thune said he had not been personally briefed on the deal.
– AP
Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) on concerns about the lack of details in a preliminary agreement ending the war between the U.S. and Iran and the realization the resumption of supply through the key Strait of Hormuz may take longer than thought.
Brent crude futures gained 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $83.42 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose to $81.12 a barrel, up 46 cents, or 0.3%, as of 0108 GMT.
On Monday (June 15, 2026), oil prices fell by nearly 5% to their lowest close since March 4 after U.S. President Donald Trump said a memorandum of understanding was signed to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
– Reuters
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News on Monday (June 15, 2026) that U.S. President Donald Trump may decide to release Washington’s agreement with Tehran before Friday (June 19, 2026).
The agreement, which was electronically signed by leaders in the U.S. and Iran, is expected to be signed in person on Friday (June 19, 2026).
– Reuters
Both Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance have electronically signed the framework agreement with Iran’s lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to a senior U.S. official quoted by The New York Times.
Vice President J.D. Vance will sign a historic U.S.-Iran peace deal in Switzerland on June 16, 2026.
After 100 days of conflict, the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war. But can the deal hold? We unpack the reported 14-point framework, ceasefire provisions, sanctions relief, nuclear commitments, the role of Pakistan and Qatar in mediation, Israel’s response, and the challenges that could derail the agreement during the crucial 60-day negotiation period ahead.
In this episode, Stanly Johny speaks to us about the U.S.–Iran deal, the role of regional mediators, and the prospects for lasting peace.
Published – June 16, 2026 07:00 am IST
Live news / Israel-US strikes on Iran / Iran / USA / Israel / West Asia / unrest, conflicts and war / war / negotiation
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