Iran War with US latest updates: June 17
- US President Trump said he hopes the war with Iran will soon be in the “rearview mirror,” though details of the cease-fire agreement remain undisclosed.
- The United States will allow Iran to immediately start selling oil and fuel once the memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending the war is officially signed later this week, a senior US official said on Tuesday.
- US and Iranian officials have softened their tone and expressed hope that the temporary deal can lead to lasting peace. They are expected to sign the initial agreement in Switzerland on Friday.
- Trump called Iranian negotiators “very rational,” while Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref urged citizens to support the outcome.
- The signing at Bürgenstock will begin a 60-day cease-fire and negotiation period between the two countries.
- Trump said restrictions affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will start being lifted on Friday. However, US forces are still searching for mines that Iran may have placed in the strategic waterway.
- Iran wants Israel to withdraw from Lebanon and stop strikes against Hezbollah under the deal’s terms. Israel has rejected those demands and says its military operations in Lebanon will continue.
- Brent crude oil fell below $80 a barrel, its lowest level since March, after news of the agreement.
- Industry experts say shipping traffic may take months to recover due to safety concerns, congestion and insurance costs.
- Trump said he plans to release the framework agreement publicly within the next few days.
What remains to be settled on Iran’s nuclear programme
At the centre of the disagreement is what happens to Iran’s enrichment activities and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. US Vice President Vance has said that nuclear inspectors will be allowed back into Iran and that they would help “destroy the highly enriched stockpile”. He also described this as a key part of the deal expected to be signed on Friday.
But Iranian officials are telling a different story. According to them, any detailed talks on the nuclear programme will only begin after the first agreement is signed. They have not mentioned inspectors or what happens to the uranium stockpile.
Former Iranian diplomat Seyed Hossein Mousavian, who was part of earlier nuclear negotiations with the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency, says the real conflict is about trust and purpose. He explained that the toughest part will be “to reconcile Iran’s insistence on maintaining a peaceful enrichment programme under the [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons], with Washington’s demand for stringent restrictions that ensure the programme cannot be diverted toward military purposes.”
Human rights concerns continue inside Iran
Even as diplomatic efforts continue, concerns about Iran's domestic situation remain.
Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based advocacy group, said Iranian authorities executed two men, Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saeedi, on Tuesday over their alleged involvement in anti-government protests.
Iran's judiciary said the men were convicted of "moharebeh," waging war against God, and "corruption on earth."
The rights group said the trial proceedings “failed to meet even the minimum standards of a fair trial.”
According to the organization, Iran has carried out 44 executions on security-related charges since March 18.
Oil prices fall, but energy markets stay cautious
Markets reacted positively to news of the agreement.
Brent crude oil fell to around $80 a barrel, its lowest level since early March. U.S. benchmark crude also declined.
Still, analysts warn that returning global energy flows to normal could take months.
HSBC analysts said shipping companies are likely to remain cautious until mines are cleared, insurance costs fall and the agreement proves durable.
“We expect shipowners to stay cautious until a deal proves durable, mine clearance is completed, and insurance costs fall,” they wrote.
Europe prepares to help secure the waterway
European countries are already discussing ways to support shipping if the cease-fire holds.
Germany plans to move a minesweeper and support vessel to Djibouti. Britain has positioned a destroyer in the region, while France says it can dispatch mine-clearing ships within days if peace takes hold.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy is willing to help clear mines but only once a full agreement is in place.
“We aren’t sending ships to wage war, we’re sending them to do demining,” he said. “So peace must be guaranteed by both sides.”
European leaders have also discussed the possibility of easing sanctions on Iran if Tehran complies with the agreement's terms.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has indicated openness to sanctions relief, although any decision would require approval from the entire European Union.
Congress wants to review the deal
Back in Washington, lawmakers are growing impatient over the lack of transparency.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived on Capitol Hill on Tuesday as senators pressed the administration for details.
Several Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and longtime Trump ally Lindsey Graham, have been reluctant to endorse the agreement without reviewing its contents.
Trump said he plans to release the document soon.
“I’ll not only release it, I’ll probably have a press conference and read it to you word by word so that the press covers it accurately,” he said.
Trump criticises Israel's military campaign
Trump has also openly criticised Israel's handling of the conflict in Lebanon.
“Too many people are being killed,” he said during a meeting with Qatar's emir.
“And you don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses and they’re not all Hezbollah.”
Trump added that he had suggested Israel should “let Syria take care of Hezbollah,” saying “they’d do a better job.”
However, Syria's government has given no indication that it plans to conduct military operations inside Lebanon.
A 60-day window to find a last solution
The signing will begin a 60-day cease-fire and negotiation period during which the United States and Iran will try to settle disputes that have strained relations for decades.
Both sides have toned down the sharp language that dominated recent months and are now publicly expressing hope that the agreement could eventually lead to a broader peace deal.
“We’re dealing with people that I think are very rational,” Trump said.
Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also struck a conciliatory note. He said he hopes unresolved issues can be settled and urged Iranians to support the outcome of the negotiations.
Later, Aref called on rival political groups inside Iran not to turn differences over the talks into “internal disputes.” He said he hoped the memorandum of understanding would eventually become a formal agreement.
Path toward wider sanctions relief
A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday that the final draft of the memorandum temporarily waives oil sanctions, allowing Iran to sell oil and receive revenue again.
The draft also outlines a broader roadmap. According to the official, once a final peace agreement is reached, all U.S. and U.N. sanctions on Iran would be lifted according to a timetable agreed upon by both sides.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that Iran would be allowed to immediately resume oil sales after the agreement is signed, a detail later confirmed by the US official.
Millions of barrels could soon reach markets
According to Brett Erickson, a sanctions expert and managing principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors,
Iran currently has more than 100 million barrels of oil stored on land and aboard tankers that could quickly be sold if restrictions are lifted.
He said more than 60 million barrels of that oil is already located outside the area affected by the U.S. blockade, making it easier to bring to market.
For comparison, the world consumes roughly 100 million barrels of oil every day.
Sanctions relief comes with conditions
While Iran is set to receive significant economic relief, the U.S. stressed that the benefits are tied to Tehran meeting its commitments under the agreement.
“This is a performance-based agreement," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Iran can only access any benefits of the MOU if they abide by all of the points they agreed to – including no nuclear weapon, neutralising its enriched material, and not interfering with the free flow of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Trump administration had reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018, citing concerns over Tehran's nuclear activities and its support for militant groups across the Middle East. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is meant for peaceful civilian purposes.
US to let Iran resume oil sales under new war-ending deal
The United States will allow Iran to immediately start selling oil and fuel once the memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending the war is officially signed later this week, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday.
The move marks a major shift in US policy after years of strict sanctions on Iran's oil sector. Along with oil sales, the agreement will also allow services such as banking, transportation and insurance that are needed to support those exports.
At least four killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon
Multiple Israeli strikes have killed at least four people in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh governorate, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). Separate drone attacks targeted two vehicles in the town of Mayfadoun, including one near the village square. A third vehicle was also hit in the nearby village of Shoukin. The strikes come amid heightened regional tensions and growing concerns of a wider escalation linked to the Iran-Israel conflict.
US says Iran can sell oil only if it keeps Hormuz open and abandons nuclear ambitions
A senior US official said Iran will only be allowed to resume oil and fuel sales if it complies with all terms of the agreement. The conditions include not interfering with the free flow of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and not obtaining a nuclear weapon. The official said sanctions relief is tied to Tehran's adherence to these commitments as part of the broader deal aimed at ending the war and reducing regional tensions.
US official says Iran can resume oil sales immediately after deal is signed
A senior US official said Iran will be able to immediately begin selling oil and fuel once the agreement to end the war is signed later this week. The sanctions waiver would take effect upon signing and also cover services needed for the sales, including banking, transportation and insurance. The move is aimed at giving Tehran an early economic incentive to support de-escalation efforts
Brent crude drops 5% on report US may allow Iran to resume oil sales under war deal
Oil futures extended losses on Tuesday, with Brent crude prices falling about 5% after a report said the United States would allow Iran to immediately resume selling oil and fuel under a deal aimed at ending the war. The proposed arrangement reportedly includes waivers on sanctions related to oil sales and associated services such as banking, transportation and insurance.
Qatar emir says he discussed regional tensions with Trump, welcomes US-Iran agreement
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said he discussed ways to "enhance joint coordination regarding the latest developments in the regional situation" with US President Donald Trump during the G7 summit. The emir welcomed the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and expressed his "appreciation" to Trump, Pakistan and other supporting partners for helping secure the agreement. Sheikh Tamim said he hopes upcoming negotiations will see "further constructive dialogue and cooperation" to bolster regional and international security through peaceful and diplomatic solutions.
Iran's Ghalibaf says war must end on all fronts, demands Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon
Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a call with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, said "the war must end on all fronts, including Lebanon". He also stressed that Israel must fully withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory, according to Iran's Mehr news agency. The remarks come a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue to occupy southern Lebanon. Berri thanked Ghalibaf for his role in helping end negotiations and pushing for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Iran says Israel must withdraw from occupied areas in Lebanon
Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, during a call with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker, said Israel must withdraw from the "occupied areas" in Lebanon. He also stressed that the people of southern Lebanon should be allowed to return to their homes. The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict and concerns over a broader escalation across the Middle East.
China says it is working with Iran and US to keep peace talks alive
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing has been working with both Iran and the United States "in its own way" to secure an agreement for further negotiations aimed at ending the US-Israel war. Wang added that China is ready to work with Pakistan to "promote peace talks without pause". Beijing has repeatedly called for dialogue and de-escalation in the Middle East amid fears of a wider regional conflict.
Trump says US plans to destroy Iran's enriched uranium, says there is “no rush”
US President Donald Trump said Washington plans to extract Iran's enriched uranium buried beneath sites hit during the conflict but stressed that there is “no rush” to do so. “When we get it, we’ll destroy it,” Trump said, adding: “We’re not looking to take it, we’re looking to destroy it. We’ve got plenty of it.”
Iran says new round of nuclear talks with US likely to begin on Friday
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a new round of negotiations with the United States aimed at reaching a final agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme is expected to begin on Friday. He said the talks would follow the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran and focus on resolving outstanding nuclear issues and defining the terms of a final accord.
Trump says US-Iran MoU makes clear Tehran will not have nuclear weapon
US President Donald Trump said the memorandum of understanding with Iran states “loud and clear” that Tehran will not possess a nuclear weapon. Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France, Trump said preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was the central objective of the agreement and reiterated that the deal is designed to ensure Iran does not develop, buy or obtain one.
Oil falls over 2% to three-month low as markets cheer US-Iran deal, Hormuz reopening hopes
Oil prices fell more than 2% to their lowest levels in three months as investors grew optimistic about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran.
Brent crude dropped $2.02, or 2.4%, to $81.15 a barrel after touching $80.89, its lowest level since March 4. US West Texas Intermediate fell $2.22, or 2.8%, to $78.53 a barrel, having earlier hit $78.27, its lowest since March 10.
Oil prices had already tumbled nearly 5% after US President Donald Trump announced the interim deal aimed at ending the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Qatar says it will continue supporting Pakistan-led mediation in US-Iran talks
Qatar said it will continue efforts to advance negotiations between the United States and Iran, backing the Pakistan-led mediation process. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Doha is working in support of “our brothers in Pakistan” and praised Islamabad's role in bringing the talks to their current stage.
“We must praise here the role Pakistan has played to get us to this point and the role it will play going forward as the main mediator,” al-Ansari said.
Qatar says it will continue supporting Pakistan-led mediation in US-Iran talks
Qatar said it will continue efforts to advance negotiations between the United States and Iran, backing the Pakistan-led mediation process. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Doha is working in support of “our brothers in Pakistan” and praised Islamabad's role in bringing the talks to their current stage. “We must praise here the role Pakistan has played to get us to this point and the role it will play going forward as the main mediator,” al-Ansari said.
Qatar hopeful US-Iran deal will end conflict, pave way for fruitful negotiations
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari expressed optimism that negotiations between the United States and Iran will help end the conflict and bring stability to the region. Speaking in Doha, he said he hopes Friday's signing of the agreement will mark the beginning of "fruitful negotiations" between Washington and Tehran. Qatar has played a key mediating role in facilitating talks that led to the memorandum of understanding.
Iran says three tankers, two cargo vessels heading to its ports from Indian Ocean
Iranian state television reported that three Iranian tankers and two vessels carrying essential goods are currently sailing toward Iranian ports from the Indian Ocean. The vessels are heading to Iran as shipping activity in the region gradually resumes following the announcement of the US-Iran agreement and plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar hopes US-Iran deal will reopen Hormuz and restore LNG flows
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Doha hopes the US-Iran memorandum of understanding will reopen navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and allow Qatar to continue supplying liquefied natural gas to countries in need. “We hope the MoU will help open the navigation in Hormuz so that Qatar can continue supplying LNG,” al-Ansari told a press conference.
Trump says Iran will face “ultimate consequences” if it pursues nuclear weapon, rules out regime change
US President Donald Trump said the only thing that matters to him is that Iran “will never have a nuclear weapon,” warning that Tehran would face “ultimate consequences” if it attempts to develop, buy or obtain one.
Trump said preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon was “the reason I got in, and that's the reason I agreed to sign” the agreement. He also stressed that he does not support regime change in Iran, saying, “I never cared about regime change. It's never a part.”
Describing Iran's current leadership as “very rational people,” Trump said they were “nice to deal with,” “strong people” and “smart people,” adding that they are “not radicalised” and are looking to help their country.
Trump says Iran now has 'rational leadership', claims former 'irrational' leaders are gone
US President Donald Trump said he believes Iran now has “rational leadership,” arguing that the officials he considered “totally irrational” are “now gone.” He made the remarks as he defended the emerging US-Iran agreement and expressed optimism about future ties with Tehran.