Iran state media says oil tankers resume shipping after US deal
Iranian state television said Iranian oil tankers and other vessels have resumed shipping operations following an agreement with Washington, suggesting an easing of a U.S. naval blockade.
A state TV reporter said that “three Iranian oil tankers are currently sailing in the northern Indian Ocean, and two others carrying essential goods and livestock feed are en route and sailing towards southern ports.”
He added that “the operation to lift the naval blockade has been implemented,” referring to restrictions reportedly imposed since April.
Ghalibaf, Berri discuss US–Iran MoU and Lebanon clause
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington.
According to Iranian state media, the two officials focused on provisions in the agreement related to ending Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
Both sides reportedly stressed the need for the United States, the guarantors of the MoU, and the broader international community to pressure Israel to halt its campaign, stop the destruction of Lebanese villages, respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, and withdraw from occupied territories.
A man views the site of a previous Israeli strike in Kfar Sir in the Nabatieh district, Lebanon June 16, 2026, following a deal between the United States and Iran. (Credit: Reuters/Stringer)
Lebanese Army warns returning residents about unexploded ordnance
The Lebanese Armed Forces published a video urging residents returning to their homes to beware of unexploded munitions following the announcement of a U.S.-Iran agreement.
“Do not approach, do not touch, report it immediately,” the army said, calling on civilians to alert the nearest military post or the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) if they encounter suspicious objects.
Israeli drone drops stun grenade near residents in Beit Yahoun
An Israeli army drone dropped a stun grenade near several residents in Beit Yahoun, without causing injuries, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.
Kataeb accuse Hezbollah of trying to avoid 'responsibility for the war'
The Kataeb Party accused the Hezbollah of trying to evade responsibility for the war, saying it was seeking to “escape its responsibility” by calling for the government’s downfall.
The party said Hezbollah leaders should instead be held accountable for plunging Lebanon into a “spiral of destruction, displacement, and death.”
It also reiterated its rejection of any weapons outside state control, calling them the main obstacle to stability, national unity, and the restoration of the state’s full authority.
Lebanese Army inspects road in south Lebanon amid mine fears
The Lebanese Army is inspecting the main road linking Harris to Haddatha in south Lebanon to ensure it is not mined, according to the municipality of Haddatha.
Local authorities warned residents that entering the village is currently “unjustified and unnecessary” for safety reasons, following recent bombardments in the area.
They added that access remains prohibited until official authorization is granted and security procedures are completed, including the installation of checkpoints.
AIPAC says US-Iran deal driven by military pressure
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) said the U.S.-Iran agreement framework was made possible by military pressure carried out under U.S. leadership in coordination with Israel.
In a statement, the group said it was awaiting further details on the deal and stressed that any agreement must preserve Israel’s “sovereign right” to respond to security threats.
It also urged the U.S. Congress to play a central role in negotiations and called for a final accord that permanently and verifiably ends Iran’s nuclear programme, including restrictions on enrichment, missile development, and support for armed groups abroad.
Trump suggests Syria role on Hezbollah, criticizes Israeli strikes
Donald Trump said: “I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah because to be honest with you, I think they’d do a better job of doing it.”
He also criticized Israeli military operations, saying: “You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody because there’s a lot of people in those apartment houses – and they’re not all Hezbollah.”
Despite the criticism, he insisted his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains strong, saying: “No, we have a great relationship.”
Trump also described Iran’s leadership as “rational,” in comments reflecting a softer tone amid regional tensions.
Residents from south Lebanon return to their regions, causing heavy traffic on the coastal highway near Saida. (Credit: Photo provided by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah)
Trump says Lebanon war is 'minor,' urges Netanyahu to show greater 'responsibility' toward Lebanon
Donald Trump said the war in Lebanon is a “minor” conflict and that the U.S.-Iran agreement can still hold, while warning Israel over its conduct, according to remarks made at the G7 summit.
He said he had told Israel he “did not like” its attack on Beirut, and added that if Israel cannot achieve its objectives “without killing everyone else,” then Syria should take on the role instead.
Trump also said Benjamin Netanyahu must now show greater “responsibility” regarding Lebanon, particularly as Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of south Lebanon. He added that he is not frustrated with Netanyahu, saying: “We have a great relationship,” and described Iran’s leadership as “rational.”
Trump says Iran deal guarantees no nuclear weapons; warns of 'all hell' if violated
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the Iran deal specifies that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. "The only thing that really matters to me is Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and it says it loud and clear," he told reporters at the G7 summit in France.
"All hell will rain down" on Iran if the Iranian government intended to acquire a nuclear weapon, he added. title
Trump says Iran deal going to a 'second stage'
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday 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 Trump, speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France.
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 16, 2026. (Credit: Reuters)
Hezbollah MP urges Lebanon to reconsider 'illusory choices'
Hassan Ezzeddine, a member of the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc, called on Lebanese authorities to “reconsider their illusory choices,” arguing they wrongly expect U.S. pressure to benefit Lebanon and Israel.
Speaking at a ceremony in Bir Hassan, southern Beirut, he said Iran had achieved a “clear strategic victory” and emerged as a major regional power. He added that Lebanon’s leadership should rely on “national consensus” and what he described as popular resistance, which he said had forced Israel into “instability” and eventual withdrawal from occupied areas.
Ezzeddine also claimed that regional negotiations had led to the ceasefire framework, despite ongoing violations, and said key opponents in the conflict had failed to achieve their goals.
Aoun and Salam hail US-Iran deal as 'positive factor for reducing tensions'
President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the U.S.-Iran framework agreement aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, describing it as a “positive factor for reducing tensions in the region,” according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency on X.
The two leaders said the agreement “goes in the direction of peaceful solutions and ending the state of war,” while noting that Iran has stated the deal should also include an end to the war in Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south.
They also discussed the upcoming Lebanese-Israeli negotiations under U.S. mediation, scheduled to take place in Washington next week. Beirut intends to proceed in parallel with U.S.-Iran talks despite rejection from the Hezbollah.
The officials reaffirmed that the aim of the talks is a permanent cease-fire, Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas, deployment of the Lebanese army to the border, release of Lebanese prisoners, and the launch of reconstruction efforts.
Overnight Israeli shelling hits multiple areas in south Lebanon
Overnight into Tuesday, Israeli artillery struck several locations across south Lebanon, including the hills of Ali al-Taher and the outskirts of Kfar Roummane in Nabatieh district.
Additional bombardments hit Wadi al-Slouqi toward Touline in Marjayoun, as well as areas around Mansouri and Majdal Zoun in Sour district, and Jabal al-Rafih near Aaramta in Jezzine.
Reports also said the Israeli army carried out a demolition operation near the outskirts of Braasheet.
Drone strike forces residents to turn back in Haddatha
A drone strike near Haddatha forced residents to turn back while attempting to reach their homes to inspect them, according to reports from south Lebanon.
The strike occurred near a van carrying civilians heading toward the village, but no injuries were reported. The incident comes as drone activity and sporadic fire continue across multiple areas in the south, alongside renewed shelling on nearby hills.
$24 billion in frozen Iranian assets could be released in stages under deal reports
Up to $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets could be released in four installments as part of the agreement, according to sources cited by Haaretz.
A Pakistani source familiar with US-Iran contacts and another source speaking to Haaretz said the funds would be gradually unlocked, depending on Iran meeting Washington’s conditions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, including ensuring free navigation without fees, as well as progress in upcoming nuclear negotiations.
The Pakistani source added that the money could be transferred as targeted economic assistance, for example to finance demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Night clashes in Kfar Tibnit
Hezbollah said it carried out an attack on Israeli forces at the Kfar Tibnit crossing in Nabatieh district, claiming it repelled an Israeli advance attempt.
It said Israeli forces reinforced the area with five Merkava tanks and four military vehicles, and that it responded with rocket salvos and artillery fire around 10 p.m. Monday.
According to our correspondent in the south, an Israeli military vehicle was later targeted around 4 a.m. while advancing from the outskirts of Kfar Tibnit toward the heights of Ali al-Taher.
Ghalibaf to attend US-Iran agreement signing in Switzerland
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will travel to Switzerland for the signing of an interim agreement with Washington, according to Tasnim.
Reuters, citing Iran’s Tasnim agency, reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Ghalibaf, the main Iranian negotiator, will attend the ceremony for the deal aimed at ending the war between Iran and the United States.
Abbas Araghchi says 'any Israeli presence on Lebanese territory' would be a 'violation' of the Iran-US agreement
The Iranian foreign minister said Tuesday that “any Israeli attack” on Lebanon or “any continued presence [of Israeli forces] on Lebanese territory” would now constitute a violation of the memorandum of understanding reached with the United States.
He added that the “two parties” to the deal are, according to Iran, “the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran and Hezbollah on the other,” in remarks reported by Reuters.
“The end of the war in Lebanon is an integral part of the complete end of the war. Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces [from Lebanon], the war is not truly over,” he said.
Iran and the United States will begin a new round of negotiations in Switzerland on Friday aimed at reaching a final agreement, following the official entry into force of an interim deal, the minister also said.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of developments in Lebanon
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