Vance backs US-Iran deal as Washington ends blockade and Iran hails wartime positive aspects.
Printed On 19 Jun 2026
United States Vice President JD Vance has delayed his deliberate journey to Switzerland to start out a brand new spherical of peace talks with Iran following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to finish the battle, the White Home has stated.
Vance earlier defended the settlement between Washington and Tehran amid criticism from US officers and Israel, saying the signing of an MoU has launched a 60-day negotiating interval in direction of a closing deal.
Vance and his crew have been reportedly prepared to depart for Switzerland on Thursday night time, however the journey was cancelled on the final minute following Israeli bombing in southern Lebanon, killing no less than three individuals, in a single day.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim information company reported that there was no affirmation that Iranian negotiators would journey for talks, as a result of they first needed to see indicators that the interim settlement, which includes Lebanon in the US-Iran ceasefire, was being carried out.
The settlement, signed by the presidents of each nations, has been introduced as a step in direction of ending months of battle, although critics have questioned its phrases, the variety of questions it leaves unanswered and Tehran’s dedication to it.
Here’s what has occurred:
In Lebanon
- Israeli assaults killed no less than three in southern Lebanon: Lebanese state media stated two people were killed in a drone assault close to Kfar Tebnit and one other in a separate assault in Zabadin, a day after the US and Iran signed an interim settlement calling for an finish to army operations on all fronts, together with Lebanon. Hezbollah stated it had repelled a four-day Israeli offensive, whereas Israel faces rising stress to halt assaults and withdraw its forces underneath the phrases of the settlement.
In Iran
- US lifts naval blockade of Iran: The US army stated it had ended its naval blockade of Iranian ports as a part of the settlement with Tehran to droop army operations throughout negotiations. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated all blockade enforcement efforts have ceased and US forces are not proscribing maritime site visitors to or from Iran. Nevertheless, it added that US naval vessels will stay within the area to watch compliance and guarantee all phrases of the settlement are upheld.
- Senior Iranian official says Iran humbled its enemies: Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s supreme chief, hailed what he referred to as Iran’s “victory” within the battle, saying the nation had “shattered” its enemies’ dominance. In a put up on X, he described the battle as an “epic” that might endure in historical past, whereas additionally mourning senior leaders killed within the battle and saying “vengeance” was the one treatment for his or her deaths.
- Ghalibaf warns towards US violations of MoU: Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated Tehran wouldn’t tolerate any breach of the memorandum of understanding by Washington. In a put up on X, he warned that any “unhealthy religion, breach of contract, and extreme calls for” could be met with a “crushing response”, including that Iran’s adversaries had already been “slapped” in the course of the battle and would face a good harsher response in the event that they repeated their actions.
Within the US
- Schumer assaults Trump over deal: Democratic Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer stated the US is “worse off due to Trump’s incompetence, his ego, and his incapability to hearken to info”. Schumer rejected claims that Democrats would help any funding for Iran, saying, “Democrats won’t be serving to Trump ship $300bn to Iran.” Critics of the memorandum have alleged it contains $300bn for Iran’s reconstruction, however Trump and senior US officers deny any US funds shall be offered, saying any funding would come from Iran’s neighbours and different taking part nations.
- Trump administration defends Iran deal: Reporting from Washington, DC, Mike Hanna says Republican hawks have additionally criticised the MoU, arguing that Tehran has obtained too many concessions, notably the instant waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil exports. The Trump administration rejected that criticism, saying it’s performing in US pursuits. Hanna famous that officers are “very delicate” to claims that US cash is being despatched to Iran, with Vice President JD Vance stressing that “not a cent of American cash goes to Iran”. In line with Hanna, Vance argues the deal comprises safeguards, depends on Iranian compliance and hyperlinks sanctions aid to progress in nuclear negotiations.
- US warns Israel to adjust to Lebanon phrases: US Vice President JD Vance delivered what Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna described as “very sturdy” messages to Israel, amid criticism from Israeli officers and pro-Israel teams over the Iran deal. Hanna stated the memorandum makes clear that Lebanon is a part of the settlement and that Israel should halt army operations there, a provision that has drawn pushback from some pro-Israel lawmakers. The Trump administration, nonetheless, is defending the inclusion of Lebanon within the deal.
In Israel
- US-Israel relationship faces pressure over Iran deal: Political analyst Harlan Ullman says there’s a “nice cut up” between US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the deal. “Netanyahu is livid. He’s out to interrupt this deal,” Ullman informed Al Jazeera, describing the connection as more and more “unstable” and “harmful”. Whereas Netanyahu has prevented publicly attacking the settlement, Ullman stated the Israeli chief sees it as a risk to his political future earlier than the October elections. “By Trump calling out Netanyahu, by saying that he, Trump, controls all of the photographs, it’s giving rise to help an opposition candidate to Netanyahu when the elections come this fall,” Ullman stated.
