Middle East War

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Trump calls off latest threats to strike Iran, citing a breakthrough in talks to end the war

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he had called off new military strikes on Iran, claiming a breakthrough in negotiations to end the war just hours after the American leader threatened to escalate the conflict by seizing control of Iran’s oil industry.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-ceasefire-hezbollah-israel-11-june-2026-3c2c6d356a1e25b4d7edf66b2edba57d?

US-Iran Negotiations

President Donald Trump canceled plans yesterday to strike Iran, citing progress in diplomatic negotiations. The announcement came hours after Trump said the US would soon be “taking” Kharg Island, likening the plan to the US operation in Venezuela. Kharg Island is a coral outcrop roughly 20 miles off the coast of Iran, measuring eight square miles (around one-third the size of Manhattan). The island is critical to Iran’s oil infrastructure: around 90% of its oil exports travel through it, mostly via underwater pipelines. Because Kharg Island is surrounded by deep waters, supertankers are able to dock there—in contrast to Iran’s coastline, most of which is too shallow. The island exports up to 7 million barrels of oil per day, most of it to China. Explore Iranian islands in the Strait of Hormuz here. Unlike most other islands in the Persian Gulf, Kharg Island is composed of porous limestone, allowing it to maintain its own freshwater and even sustain a population of gazelles. Learn about the island’s history here.

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🔎 What's in the Iran deal

Ships are anchored yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. Photo: Reuters Axios' Barak Ravid unpacks the Iran deal President Trump says is so close that he'll dispatch Vice President JD Vance to sign it in Europe as soon as this weekend: The U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding calls for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen immediately without tolls, and for Iran to receive sanctions relief based on compliance, according to a diplomat from one of the mediating countries and a U.S. official. Why it matters: The MOU would extend the ceasefire for 60 days, including in Lebanon. Nuclear negotiations would be held during that time. The text includes a framework for addressing Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, though any action on Iran's nuclear program would depend on a second, more detailed accord. State of play: The diplomat from one of the mediating countries, who walked Axios through the latest text, said the U.S. and Iran "have agreed on the text of a deal," but acknowledged the deal still needed final sign-off. As of last evening, the deal had been approved on the Iranian side at high levels but likely not by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, two knowledgeable sources said. Zoom in: The MOU calls for the strait to be reopened immediately without tolls, with a return to pre-war shipping volumes within 30 days. In return, the U.S. blockade would also be lifted. 🖊 The deal, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, will be called the Islamabad Agreement — if both sides ultimately agree to sign. Read on.

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Iran war

President Donald Trump is claiming that the US has "ended the war with Iran," predicting a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend that would resolve the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said reports of a deal were "merely speculation" and that his country has not yet reached a final decision on any agreement. Read more.   Chaotic talks on a US-Iran deal continue on the Trump rollercoaster Great news! Donald Trump has said the US and Iran are on the verge of a peace agreement. Oil prices are down, and the stock market is up. This comes only hours after Trump warned Iran was about to be struck “VERY HARD”, a threat that had sent oil prices up and stocks down. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/12/trump-rollercoaster-deal-us-iran?   🇮🇷 Bibi's bitter pill     Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump. Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos: Getty Images   On Thursday evening, President Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with news he did not want to hear: He expected to sign a deal with Iran within days. "This is the deal. It's a great deal, and it's time to end this war," Trump told Netanyahu, according to a senior U.S. official. Why it matters: When Netanyahu went to war alongside Trump, this is not how he envisioned it ending, Axios' Barak Ravid writes. ⚡ Flashback: Netanyahu made clear from the beginning that he believed the war could spur regime change in Tehran. Now, four months out from an election, Netanyahu's rivals are accusing him of making Israel a "vassal state" by simply accepting Trump's terms for peace. Keep reading.

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Trump and Pakistan say Iran deal could be signed Sunday but Tehran signals more time is needed

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Key mediator Pakistan on Saturday said a deal to end the Iran war was closer than ever and U.S. President Donald Trump asserted it would be “signed tomorrow,” while Iran made some of its most optimistic statements yet but indicated a bit more time was needed.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-leader-funeral-khamenei-war-deal-1f4bfb01f91029f92787cbc2ec7ad81e?

Deal is reached to end Iran war and Trump orders stop to US naval blockade

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Iran have reached an initial agreement to end their war and open the Strait of Hormuz, offering relief to the Gulf region and global economy more than three months since fighting began.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-ceasefire-deal-e0a9e4e1152ea8da10ea066ad174a23a?

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Officials plan digital end to Iran war

Amid war work inside, the Octagon on the South Lawn and the Fan Zone on the Ellipse are ready for tonight's UFC Freedom 250. Photo: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images Latest intel from Axios' Barak Ravid, who has been first and right with every twist during this 107-day war: The U.S. and Iran, together with Pakistani and Qatari mediators, are expected to meet virtually today to electronically sign a memorandum of understanding that will extend the ceasefire 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. Why it matters: The pending remote signing is a result of almost three months of negotiations between the U.S. and the Iranian regime, mediated by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. The deal is expected to end the war and potentially stabilize global energy markets. Behind the scenes: U.S. officials and sources in the mediating countries confirmed the signing will take place virtually, mainly for logistical reasons. Vice President JD Vance, who's leading the U.S. negotiating team, wouldn't have been able to get back to the U.S. before President Trump leaves tomorrow for the G7 summit in Evian, France. What to watch: On Tuesday, President Trump will meet in France with G7 leaders, together with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, U.S. officials told reporters in a briefing. The meeting is expected to focus on the deal with Iran and opportunities in the region after the war ends. Another issue on the table is the Strait of Hormuz, and the international coalition that the UK and France have been working on to clear the strait of mines, the U.S. official said. Keep reading.

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A tentative deal is reached to end the Iran war and Trump orders a stop to the US naval blockade

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early Monday to open the Strait of Hormuz and further extend a shaky ceasefire in the Iran war, potentially allowing desperately needed oil and natural gas to reach the global market.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-ceasefire-deal-e0a9e4e1152ea8da10ea066ad174a23a?

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Iran and US reach an initial deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz but challenges remain

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement Monday that would extend their shaky ceasefire and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but significant challenges remain to ending the war, including whether Israel will continue its offensive in Lebanon.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-oil-june-15-2026-77406473da38c6c126818610a219dc20?

Iran Deal Reached

The US and Iran have agreed to extend their ceasefire by 60 days, President Donald Trump and mediators revealed yesterday. The countries are scheduled to sign a deal Friday in Switzerland. Oil prices fell on the news. Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels "toll-free," Trump says, and the US will end its naval blockade on Iranian ports. The ceasefire is also predicated on an end to the conflict in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Details surrounding Iran’s nuclear program—including the fate of its stockpile of enriched uranium—are slated to be discussed after the deal is signed. The full text was not publicly available as of this writing. The agreement was announced hours before Trump traveled to France for this year's G7 summit. In addition to the US war with Iran, the countries will discuss multilateral trade, among other issues. Learn more about the G7 here.   ⚡ 60-day Iran deal     Via Truth Social   The U.S. and Iran agreed to a framework extending their ceasefire for 60 days, with a signing ceremony expected Friday in Switzerland and nuclear talks to follow, Axios' Barak Ravid reports. Why it matters: The agreement could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease pressure on global energy markets, and create a window for negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. The memorandum of understanding would mark the war's biggest diplomatic breakthrough. Special envoy Steve Witkoff embraces Vice President JD Vance at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn last night. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images 🖼️ The big picture: The agreement is designed to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handled about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war. Fully reopening the strait may not happen immediately. Mine-clearing, infrastructure repairs and guaranteeing security could take time before a full return to prewar shipping volumes. 📝 Breaking it down: The agreement calls for the U.S. and Iran to negotiate over Iran's nuclear enrichment and the disposal of its highly enriched uranium during the 60-day window. The U.S. will discuss sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds, with relief expected to be tied to Tehran's compliance.

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What to know about a possible deal to end the Iran war The United States and Iran reached an interim deal early Monday and there are plans for a signing of the deal on Friday in Switzerland. However, previous announcements fell through, and what the deal contains remains in dispute. Read more.

What to know: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday the terms of dealing with Iran’s nuclear program would be finalized in the 60 days after the initial agreement is signed and that the parties could decide to extend that period.    Three regional officials said the emerging deal was expected to include the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.   A senior U.S. administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said earlier that the emerging agreement includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Reaction to the tentative deal as Israel rules out withdrawing from seized land   A history of Iran’s nuclear program and tensions with the US as an interim deal is reached    Oil and gas supplies could take months to return to normal after Iran deal, energy experts say    Palestinian death toll in Gaza tops 73,000 as Israel launches strikes despite ceasefire

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Iran deal signed, but big questions remain

People wave the Iranian flag outside the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad today. Photo: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images The U.S.-Iran deal was signed electronically yesterday by President Trump, Vice President Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, senior administration officials told reporters today. The deal is testing whether Washington and Tehran can turn a battlefield pause into a broader settlement — starting with the Strait of Hormuz and then moving to the far thornier question of Iran's nuclear program, Axios' Dave Lawler and Barak Ravid report. ⏸️ A 60-day ceasefire extension is in effect, including in Lebanon, U.S. officials say. But the Strait of Hormuz isn't expected to begin reopening until after a formal signing ceremony Friday in Geneva. U.S. officials say the full text of the memorandum of understanding will be released in the next 24–48 hours — though Trump said it might not be published until after it's signed. 🏁 Washington and Tehran are racing to shape the narrative around a deal that's causing huge political and market reactions, even though few people have actually read it. The U.S. says relief for Iran will be tied to performance. Iranian state media has described a more generous package. Shipping companies say they're waiting for clearer guarantees from Tehran before sending cargo through Hormuz. Hawks in Washington and Israel are pressing the White House to explain exactly what Iran is getting — and what happens if nuclear talks fail. 🤔 Many key questions are still swirling around the deal: What does Iran actually get? Will Hormuz be truly open? Will Israel comply? A senior administration official told reporters today: "I think we'll know over the next two to three weeks whether those understandings will turn into an actual agreement." Go deeper.

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⚡ Scoop: CIA director's Iran doubts

CIA Director John Ratcliffe told President Trump and other senior officials that intelligence gathered by U.S. spies raises serious doubts about Iran's willingness to make the nuclear concessions the U.S. is seeking in any final deal, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.

• Ratcliffe isn't the only skeptic on Trump's top team. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have both expressed concerns and raised questions about the deal in internal discussions.
• Vice President Vance and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner advocated for it. Vance will attend Friday's formal signing ceremony in Geneva.

👀 Behind the scenes: Trump and his advisers held a series of high-level meetings in the lead-up to Sunday's announcement of the deal.

• During those meetings, Trump and his team discussed the intelligence: Iranian officials were discussing the deal among themselves in a way that was inconsistent with what they were telling the mediators and the U.S., two sources said.
• Ratcliffe and Rubio said that based on that intel, they doubted the Iranians would agree to take the nuclear steps the U.S. was seeking, according to two sources.
• "The intelligence reflects that the Iranian intentions are not in line with their commitments under the deal," the source said.

Zoom out: The nuclear elements of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was signed electronically on Sunday depend on the parties reaching a more detailed nuclear deal over the next 60 days.

• Vance, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet on Friday with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with Pakistani and Qatari mediators, to discuss that next phase.

👓 Between the lines: The text of the 14-point initial deal has yet to be published. A source familiar with the text contended that the Iranians will get more than they give under the MOU — unless they agree to sign a nuclear deal that meets the U.S. objectives.

• Keep reading.

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US and Iran sign initial deal to end war, ease sanctions and open strait as nuclear talks continue

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran Wednesday that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to details released by both countries.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-oil-deal-june-17-2026-19652f4611b704c0a991bf1f5bc9a4b9?