A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to “never have a nuclear weapon” and dismissed reports claiming Washington would pay Tehran $300 million as part of the deal, calling them “fake news” in a post on Truth Social.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said nuclear inspectors will “absolutely” be allowed to return to Iran as part of any deal aimed at ending the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
In an interview with NBC News, Vance said one of the core elements of the memorandum of understanding is that the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United States would help Iran destroy its stockpile of highly enriched uranium,.
He added that the provision is “spelled out very clearly” in the agreement.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. memorandum of understanding with Iran is “a very general document” with key details still to be negotiated in later technical talks.
Speaking on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, Vance said the MOU is about “a page and a half” and stressed that many issues remain unresolved, adding that the specifics will be worked out during the technical negotiation phase.
Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the sound of three explosions was heard south of Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
The report did not immediately provide details on the cause of the blasts, and there was no independent confirmation or immediate comment from Iranian or regional authorities.
Iranian media reported that three oil tankers and two vessels carrying essential goods have passed through the U.S. naval blockade. The reports did not specify the destinations or cargo details beyond describing them as vital supplies.
There was no immediate confirmation from U.S. authorities or independent verification of the claim.
The Israeli military said it intercepted multiple rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon, amid renewed clashes along the border.
The military added that no injuries were reported after Hezbollah also fired an anti-tank missile and multiple mortar shells at soldiers in the area.
Hezbollah said it had targeted Israeli forces with rocket salvos and artillery fire in southern Lebanon, adding that clashes were still ongoing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will maintain its “freedom of action” in Lebanon to prevent attacks, signalling that military operations against Hezbollah could continue despite ongoing regional diplomatic efforts.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday a deal with Iran has been agreed and the test of the deal will be released sometime after a formal signing on Friday.
Speaking shortly after arriving in Evian, France, for a G7 meeting, Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open by Friday.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran to end their four-month war is a very important step and will allow for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
"That's a very important step for peace," Macron said during a press meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G7 summit.
The Strait of Hormuz will be open toll free for 60 days under the pact between the United States and Iran, said a U.S. official on Monday.
Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon is not a condition of a pact between the United States and Iran, said a senior U.S. official on Monday, and Israel will have the right to defend itself against any attacks by Hezbollah.
A tanker reported coming under fire from a small skiff 111 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's Aden, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday.
UKMTO said authorities were investigating the incident and provided no further details.
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
A U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect pending completion of a ceasefire agreement with Iran scheduled for 19 June, the U.S. military said in an advisory note on Monday.
"A military blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect restricting all traffic inbound and outbound from these ports," the advisory said.
"Do not attempt to cross until explicit direction is given."
An Israeli drone strike targeted a car in southern Lebanon, killing its driver, Lebanese security sources and state media reported on Monday.
The strike was the first reported deadly Israeli attack in Lebanon since the announcement of the U.S.-Iran agreement.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that the emerging U.S.-Iran peace agreement could help stabilise the global economy and stressed that its provisions must also apply to Lebanon.
Speaking ahead of the G7 summit in France, Merz also said a diplomatic opportunity had opened in the Ukraine conflict and that he hoped to discuss the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Hezbollah on Monday welcomed the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, saying it had secured a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon.
In a statement, the Iran-backed group said Lebanon's inclusion in the agreement reflected Tehran's commitment to ending the war. It also warned Israel against carrying out attacks that violate Lebanon's sovereignty or target its people.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that many ships carrying oil were starting to move out of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that had been disrupted by the conflict involving Iran.
Trump made the remarks in a post on social media, signalling what could be an early sign of easing tensions following the U.S.-Iran agreement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that Iran must demonstrate "credible and verifiable" changes in its behaviour before the European Union can consider lifting sanctions.
Speaking ahead of the G7 summit in Evian, France, von der Leyen said sanctions are intended to change behaviour and should only be removed once meaningful progress is seen on the ground.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity forms part of the interim agreement reached with the United States.
Baghaei also said regional visits are planned ahead of the signing of the agreement in Switzerland, signalling continued diplomatic engagement before the accord is finalised.
A Hezbollah official told Reuters on Monday that the group has not carried out any operations since the announcement of the U.S.-Iran agreement and said its position on the ceasefire remains tied to Israel's compliance with it.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Hezbollah rejects any Israeli "freedom of movement" in Lebanon and claimed Iran delayed signing the agreement with Washington to monitor Israel's adherence to the ceasefire.
Hezbollah has not issued an official public statement on the U.S.-Iran deal.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Britain are prepared to lead a mission in the Strait of Hormuz, with support from the Netherlands and Italy, to help reopen the vital shipping route once the U.S.-Iran agreement takes effect.
Speaking on Monday, Macron said the mission could be deployed within two or three days.
He also stressed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz while imposing tolls on shipping would be contrary to international law.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in a call on Monday that Türkiye hoped further talks with the U.S. would yield positive outcomes after an Iran-U.S. deal to halt the war, a Turkish diplomatic source said.
Fidan also warned against "provocations" that could derail the agreement and vowed that Türkiye would continue supporting efforts for regional peace, the source said. Araghchi thanked Türkiye for its efforts in the negotiation process, the source added.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he welcomed the inclusion of Lebanon's security and stability in the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement, describing it as an important step towards reducing tensions in the region.
According to Aoun's office, the president expressed appreciation for efforts to ensure Lebanon is part of arrangements aimed at ending the conflict and restoring regional stability.
The UAE has welcomed the announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, underscoring the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it hopes the agreement will support regional security, stability and efforts to reduce tensions.
The United Nations' human rights chief welcomed the announcement of a peace deal between the United States and Iran, and urged for maximum restraint by all sides in the region.
“I welcome the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed on a peace deal that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further negotiations,” said human rights chief
Volker Türk.
“At this fragile moment it is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached quickly and in good faith,” he added.
Authorities in southern Lebanon warned people displaced by three months of war between Israel and Hezbollah against rushing home on Monday despite a U.S.-Iran deal to end the wider conflict, as Israel said it would not withdraw troops from the south.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator between Tehran and Washington, announced that a deal was struck early on Monday local time, and that the pact called for "the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon".
British Prime Minster Keir Starmer said an agreement between the United States and Iran on a framework to end their war was very significant, and that he had discussed it with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday.
"Obviously, nothing is guaranteed, but it is, I think, a significant breakthrough, a very significant breakthrough. Hopefully, something which as we work together we can turn into that enduring peace that we all want to see," Starmer told a press conference.
China welcomes the agreement reached between the United States and Iran to end their conflict and hopes the deal will be signed as planned, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
China hopes that safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be restored as soon as possible, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing.
Israeli attacks against Lebanon need to be completely halted and the U.S. bears responsibility for implementing the framework deal on ending the war, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Turkish, Iraqi and Egyptian counterparts on Monday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by the Lebanon-related provisions in the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement, according to Israeli officials. He stressed that Israel will not accept any arrangement that limits its freedom to act against Hezbollah.
Israeli officials also said Netanyahu informed Trump that Israel will not withdraw from positions it currently holds in Lebanon. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will remain deployed and continue operations to counter Hezbollah threats, including targeting infrastructure and responding to attacks.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel will not pull back from territory it has seized in Lebanon and warned that any Iranian attack linked to developments in Lebanon would be met with retaliation.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also rejected claims that the agreement binds Israel, stressing that the country remains fully sovereign in its security decisions. He warned against concessions to Hezbollah, called for continued deterrence along Israel’s northern border, and said any attacks from Lebanon would trigger Israeli strikes.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that the Strait of Hormuz must be made navigable again without any restrictions after U.S. and Iranian officials said they had reached an agreement to end their war and reopen the vital shipping route.
"It must be made clear that the Strait of Hormuz is once again open to shipping, without any restrictions whatsoever and without any possibility of levying customs duties or similar charges," Wadephul said before meeting with European counterparts in Luxembourg.
The announced deal between the United States and Iran marks a "potential breakthrough" in the war and the EU will now weigh how it can be involved in the next phase, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday.
"From economic leverage to nuclear expertise and longstanding relationships with Gulf partners, the EU stands ready to contribute to a sustainable resolution," Kallas said in a post on X, before a meeting of foreign affairs ministers from the 27 EU member states in Brussels.
The agreement between the United States and Iran should allow for the "immediate reopening" of the Strait of Hormuz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.
"The priority now is its swift and full implementation by all parties," von der Leyen said about the announced deal.
"Freedom of navigation must be restored toll-free. This is essential for regional stability and the global economy. It opens the door to broader negotiations on peace and security in the Middle East," she added.
Von der Leyen also said that peace in the Middle East was impossible "while Lebanon is in flames."
"Once again Europe calls on all parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity and implement a genuine ceasefire," she said.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares welcomed the announcement of an agreement between the U.S. and Iran, thanking mediators for their efforts and stressing the importance of maintaining free and secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Asia-Pacific markets surged after news of a U.S.-Iran deal to end the war involving Iran.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose more than 5%, South Korea’s Kospi gained 5.7%, Taiwan’s Taiex increased 2.7%, and Australia’s ASX200 added about 1.5%.
U.S. stock futures also moved higher, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq-linked contracts up around 1% and 1.6%, while Brent crude dropped more than 4% to about $83.70 per barrel.
Qatari mediators concluded their diplomatic mission in Iran’s capital and departed after helping secure a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, according to a report Monday.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera said the Qatari delegation spent 17 hours in negotiations aimed at finalising the agreement before returning to Doha.
Citing a diplomatic source, Al Jazeera said preparatory meetings for the formal signing of the agreement, which is scheduled to take place in Switzerland on 19 June, will be held in the Qatari capital.
Trump told The New York Times that if Iran fails to finalise a nuclear deal with the U.S., military strikes could resume or Washington could seek a broader security role in the Middle East.
He said the agreement would keep the Strait of Hormuz permanently open and claimed it had prevented a nuclear threat to Israel despite opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Japan's welcomes the U.S.-Iran deal toward ending hostilities and hopes for steady implementation of the agreement, including the actual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for international vessels, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.
In an X post, Takaichi said Japan "strongly hopes" that "free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will be ensured in practice, and that a final agreement on Iran's nuclear issue and other matters will be reached as soon as possible."
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Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
G7 leaders said on Wednesday they stand united to support Ukraine, including its territorial integrity, and agreed to increase sanctions on Russia, in a joint statement.
A secretive offshore oil transfer network backed by U.S. military support has helped keep Gulf energy exports flowing despite major disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a Reuters investigation has found.
Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday (16 June) as traders assessed the possibility of oil supplies returning through the Strait of Hormuz following a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the conflict involving Iran.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Niño weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026, becoming one of the strongest events recorded in seven decades.
Pakistan's heavy reliance on imported energy was laid bare by the U.S.-Iran conflict, which disrupted regional supplies, drove up costs and exposed vulnerabilities in the country's energy security. However, a proposed peace agreement now offers hope for economic relief.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
U.S. and Iranian officials said on Sunday they have agreed on a deal to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, possibly leading to lower energy prices once oil shipments resume through the critical waterway.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
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