Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei approved the U.S.-Iran agreement despite reservations, giving political backing to an interim memorandum as negotiations moved forward in Switzerland. In a written message issued Thursday, June 18, 2026, Khamenei said he authorized the memorandum after President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials assured him that Iran’s rights and the interests of what Tehran calls the “Resistance Front” would be protected.

The US-Iran deal has opened a 60-day diplomatic window, but it has also sharpened security concerns in Israel. Israeli officials and analysts worry that Tehran could receive economic relief while decisions on uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles and regional armed groups remain unsettled. The negotiation period began on Thursday, June 18, 2026, under an interim memorandum approved by President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders. The framework seeks to halt hostiliti

US Iran negotiations in Switzerland have entered a renewed phase, but the environment remains unstable as regional conflicts continue to shape the direction of talks. Diplomatic representatives from both sides are attempting to revive stalled communication lines, with mediation support from regional actors working behind the scenes to prevent another breakdown. The discussions are being positioned as an attempt to rebuild trust after repeated interruptions, though expectations remai

US ends maritime restrictions on Iranian ports The US military lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ports on Thursday, June 19, ending more than two months of restrictions on vessels travelling to and from the Islamic Republic. The move followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, marking a major shift in maritime activity around the Gulf region.

The national average gas price fell to $3.999 per gallon on Thursday, June 18, 2026, according to AAA, dropping below $4 for the first time since March. The decline followed President Donald Trump’s signing of an agreement with Iran on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. National average gas price reaches $3.999 The agreement calls for Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium while U.S.-backed sanctions are waived. It also begins a 60-day negotiat

A draft 14-point US-Iran agreement would introduce an immediate ceasefire, restore commercial shipping and temporarily waive sanctions affecting Iranian oil exports while negotiations toward a final settlement continue. Reuters published the draft on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, but reported that the United States had not publicly released the complete official text. The document establishes a proposed 60-day negotiating period and postpones several difficult nuclear and sanctions ques

US Intelligence Flags Iran’s Strategic Leverage in Strait of Hormuz US intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran has gained significant leverage over the Strait of Hormuz following the recent conflict involving the United States and Israel, according to reports citing multiple sources. The assessment suggests that Tehran now holds the capability to disrupt or restrict movement through one of the world??

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — The U.S.-Iran 60-day ceasefire deal is designed to extend April’s fragile truce and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but key questions remain over Iran’s nuclear program, shipping security and the conflict in Lebanon. President Donald Trump said at the Group of Seven summit on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that the interim agreement would be released publicly and would bar Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. A formal signing is expected in Switzerland on Fr

Peace in the Strait of Hormuz Following a peace agreement between the United States and Iran, hostilities that lasted over 100 days have officially paused. The memorandum of understanding, signed electronically on Sunday by US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, created a temporary framework for reopening negotiations. While Washington maintains that ves

China has welcomed the reported US-Iran peace framework and said the move could help reduce tensions in the Middle East after weeks of uncertainty. Beijing described the development as a positive step and said it supports efforts that can bring stability, stop further escalation and protect the movement of ships through key regional routes. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China appreciates Pakistan’s mediation efforts

Strategic Focus at G7 Summit French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the upcoming G7 Summit, taking place from June 15–17 in Evian-les-Bains, will dedicate Monday’s sessions to discussing the long-term reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This follows a recently brokered framework agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending hostilities in West Asia. Macron emphasized that the summit will examine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to meet during the 2026 G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, with trade likely to lead their bilateral agenda and Strait of Hormuz security shaping wider summit discussions. The Modi-Trump G7 meeting 2026 comes as Washington and New Delhi continue negotiations over a possible trade agreement. A senior U.S. administration official said the leaders would review the progress of those talks, although a final agr

Oil Falls On Peace Deal Hopes Oil prices fell sharply on Friday, June 12, 2026 as renewed hopes for a peace agreement between Iran and the United States eased fears of prolonged disruption to global energy supplies. Brent crude dropped below $86 a barrel during trading before recovering part of its losses, while market attention remained focused on whether diplomatic progress could reduce risks around Middle

India maritime advisory warnings have been issued for seafarers operating near the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman after attacks on merchant vessels raised new crew safety concerns. The Directorate General of Shipping has advised ships and crews in Iranian waters, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf to remain on high alert as tensions affect one of the world’s most sensitive shipping corridors. India Maritime Advisory Covers Crews Near Hormuz

Iran Condemns U.S. Attack on Indian Commercial Vessel Iran strongly condemned Friday’s, June 11, 2026 attack on a commercial ship near the Strait of Hormuz, which killed at least three Indian nationals. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the incident as “armed robbery and State piracy” and extended condolences to the families of the deceased sailors.

Iran warned of a “painful response” after President Donald Trump threatened new U.S. strikes and suggested Washington could move to control key Iranian oil infrastructure. The latest Trump Iran threat added pressure to an already volatile Gulf crisis on Thursday, June 11, 2026, as Tehran also claimed the Strait of Hormuz would be closed until further notice. Trump threatens new strikes on Iran Trump said in a Truth Social post that the Unit

Iran Criticizes US Threats to Infrastructure Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday,June 10,2026 denounced threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to target Iranian bridges, power plants, and other critical infrastructure, describing such comments as a sign of weakness rather than strength. In a post on X, Pezeshkian emphasized that critical infrastructure is essential for ordinary citizens and

Defensive Strikes Ordered by Trump The United States executed a fresh round of military strikes on multiple Iranian targets on June 10,2026. CENTCOM described the operation as “self-defense,” targeting surveillance systems, communication networks, and air defense sites at the direction of President Donald Trump. US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets used precision munitions to neutralize threats

Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed Iran’s military command announced on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed to all vessel traffic following recent U.S. airstrikes. The Khatam al Anbiya command stated that any vessel transiting the strategic waterway would be targeted. According to Iranian reports, the navy struck two ships attempting to pass through

US Conducts Precision Strikes Following Apache Downing The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it carried out precision strikes on Iranian targets on June 9, responding to the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The operation, described as a proportional and defensive measure, targeted Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar i