TOP STORIES
Trump Signs Iran Deal, Says He Wants to Avoid ‘Economic Catastrophe’ | Wall Street Journal
“President Trump on Wednesday defended his agreement to end the Iran war, saying he wanted to avoid an ‘economic catastrophe’ that could have resulted if the conflict the U.S. launched had continued. . . . On Wednesday, Trump defended the deal’s pathway to unfreezing Iranian assets. ‘We have taken a lot of their money—it’s not our money,’ Trump said. ‘At a certain point in time, I guess we’re gonna have to give it back.’ . . . Trump threatened Iran with more attacks if it didn’t abide by the terms. ‘If they don’t honor that, we’ll probably go back to bombing them until they honor it,’ he said. ‘It’s amazing what bombs can do.’ . . . Trump signed the memorandum of understanding during a dinner at the French palace in Versailles. He previously affixed his digital signature to the 14-point document on Sunday.”
State Department Report Contradicts Trump on Iran | Punchbowl News
“The State Department told Congress that Iran’s oil exports are a primary revenue source for the regime’s funding of terrorist activities—just hours after the United States and Iran electronically signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to lift oil sanctions.”
“‘If other countries have [ballistic missiles], it’s a little bit unfair for them [the Iranian regime] not to have some,” [President] Trump said . . . ‘If Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and they all have some, I would say that in relative proportion, I think it’s okay’ for Iran to have ballistic missiles as well. ‘Missiles aren’t the problem . . .They hurt a little location, but they don’t blow up the planet [like nuclear weapons do],” Trump said.”
UANI IN THE NEWS
Deal Gives Iran Chance to Turbocharge Its Oil Revenue | Wall Street Journal
“The U.S.-Iran peace agreement includes a huge boost to Tehran’s oil industry, potentially restoring the regime’s economic lifeblood while generating more than $60 billion a year of revenue. . . . ‘The risk is you strengthen the regime by providing it with an infusion of cash,’ said [UANI Senior Advisor] Michael Singh, former senior director at the National Security Council for the Middle East in the George W. Bush administration. ‘Supporting the proxies and even building missiles and drones is to some extent cheap. What’s really expensive for Iran is properly running their country.’ . . . The U.S. naval blockade, which began in April, led Iran to slash crude exports from roughly 1.1 million barrels a day in March to 65,000 barrels a day in May, according to United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonprofit. . . . While the U.S. blockade officially remains in effect on Tuesday, signs of loosening had emerged. Three tankers carrying more than 5 million barrels of Iranian crude have left the port of Chabahar and crossed the U.S. blockade line since Tuesday, according to UANI and ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.”
Iran Is Returning to Nuclear Talks No Longer Afraid of America | Wall Street Journal
“After more than three months of bombing and blockades, the U.S. and Iran are back to square one, preparing for what promises to be difficult negotiations over limits to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. This time, the Iranians will come to the table armed with valuable knowledge: They can survive the worst the Americans can throw at them. . . . Once the Iranians receive billions of dollars in cash as part of the agreement due to be signed on Friday, they may well create new obstacles to delay any future progress in the nuclear talks, said [UANI Senior Advisor] Zohar Palti, a former head of the Mossad intelligence directorate who is now a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank. ‘From their perspective, the Americans gave them what they wanted, and perhaps even asked for too little,’ he said. ‘Therefore, they see no reason to offer anything meaningful in return.’”
While Trump Hails Gulf Oil Flowing, Iran’s Fleet Also Gearing up to Boost Exports | Reuters
“While U.S. President Donald Trump has recently hailed the resumption of oil flows from Gulf allies, Iran, too, appears to be gearing up to resume exports and trading. . . . ‘The signal has gone out and they are repositioning in expectation of the end of the U.S. blockade. Clearly, a system reboot is in progress,’ said Charlie Brown, senior advisor at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic.”
Interview of UANI Policy Director Jason M. Brodsky | i24
“The president has undertaken historic military action, but we need to be careful that those achievements are not undone by providing more resources to the Iranian regime by way of sanctions.”
Iran Hardliners Rage over US Deal, but Experts Say Regime Is Closing Ranks | Iran International
“Iran's hardliners have erupted against the US-Iran MoU with death chants against chief negotiators Abbas Araghchi and M. Bagher Ghalibaf, but experts say the backlash is unlikely to derail a deal the ruling elite sees as essential to the regime's survival. . . . Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, notes that such divisions are not new. Similar opposition emerged during the 2013–2015 negotiations that led to the JCPOA, when hardliners attacked then-President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. ‘The Supreme Leader made a decision, and that’s going to carry the day,’ Brodsky said. But Brodsky argues the real struggle may begin if sanctions relief materializes. ‘There will be those who want to use resources toward economic rebuilding, but there will be a very hardened IRGC contingent . . . who are going to want to rebuild their military, rebuild the nuclear program, and rebuild the terror apparatus.’”
Trump’s Shocking Savior-of-Israel Claim | Cheryl K. Chumley in the Washington Times
“President Trump, speaking to reporters at the Group of Seven summit in France, said that without him, ‘there would be no Israel,’ and ‘without the United States, there would be no Israel.’ Yikes. . . . The thing is: Israel has been dealing with strikes from Iran’s proxy terror group, Hezbollah, since late 2023, when they decided to exploit the Israel Defense Forces’ war against Hamas in the south by launching simultaneous strikes in the north. Dozens of Israeli soldiers and citizens—including 12 children playing on a soccer field in a Jewish community that was suddenly bombed — have been killed by Hezbollah terrorists. Dozens more have been injured. Israel has retaliated. But they aren’t the aggressors in this military operation. Lookie here. ‘U.S. launches ‘self defense’ strikes on Iran after Apache helicopter shot down,’ NBC News reported a couple of days ago. That’s what Israel has been doing in Lebanon against Hezbollah. ‘U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran After Downing of Army Helicopter, Prompting Retaliation,’ United Against Nuclear Iran reported.”
DIPLOMACY
Trump Administration Releases Preliminary Agreement with Iran | NPR
“As expected, the entire document is fairly short and light on details, with much left to be sorted out in future negotiations. According to the document read by the senior administration official, the U.S. and Iran declare ‘the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts’—including in Lebanon. The two sides also promise ‘not to initiate’ any further war or operation against each other. It sets out a 60-day period—extendable if both sides agree — to negotiate a final deal. Upon signing, which Trump says will take place in the coming days, the agreement says the U.S. will begin the removal of its naval blockade and will ‘fully end’ the blockade within 30 days if a final deal is reached. Iran, according to the agreement, will use its ‘best efforts’ to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels traveling between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Those vessels would not be charged for 60 days. The U.S. will work with regional partners to create a fund of up to $300 billion for reconstruction and economic development for Iran, according to the framework. Trump, during his press conference, said the U.S. would not be directly contributing to this fund, though he did say it may be possible for other countries to invest in Iran.”
Trump Says 60 Days Isn’t a Hard Deadline | Guardian
“Before getting on the plane Trump told reporters that the 60 day deadline written in the US-Iran MOU ‘could take longer.’ ‘I don’t view it as hard,’ Trump said ‘Just as long as they are behaving, I really don’t care that much.”
“The US-Iran memorandum of understanding is structured so that Tehran receives almost nothing upfront, with one exception. The US Treasury will issue waivers for Iranian crude oil exports, petroleum products, and associated banking services the moment the document is signed. . . . Officials defended the move, arguing that Iranian oil was already flowing to China regardless and that existing sanctions were simply giving Beijing a steep discount. ‘The entire team agreed that it's absurd to sanction Iranian oil in such a way that they are still allowed to sell that oil, we just give China a big fat discount,’ the official said.”
Iran Says It Agreed to Return Hormuz Traffic to Normal over Set Period | Iran International
“Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday said it had been agreed to return maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to normal in a certain period of time. Esmail Baghaei added that Iran and Oman would develop a mechanism for the strait and that Tehran would exchange views with other countries when necessary. Baghaei said the United States must end its maritime blockade on Iran within 30 days.”
“The second official said the signed memorandum of understanding is final and has not been changed since it was signed electronically on Sunday. But the official said either side could walk away at any time until they reach a final deal, which they will attempt to do over 60 days. The official referred to the plans to work with Iran to reach a final deal as a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and said they would find out in talks starting this weekend whether they can continue moving forward. If talks with Iran do not seem to be working, then the U.S. could pull the plug on the effort to negotiate and return to ‘tightening the screws on them very, very aggressively,’ the official said.”
Iran Wanted Its Frozen Assets on Signing but Didn’t Get Them | Guardian
“According to the officials on the call, the text makes clear that access to Iran’s frozen funds is contingent on the regime actually implementing the agreement’s terms. ‘Such funds . . . shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran . . . upon the implementation of the MOU.’ Officials on the call said Iran had pushed hard for the opposite: immediate access to its frozen assets the moment the MOU was signed.”
“Senior figures in Israel's defense establishment voiced frustration during a Security Cabinet meeting this week following the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, arguing that the pressure campaign against Tehran was beginning to produce significant results. According to two sources familiar with the discussion, ministers were told that Iran's economy had deteriorated sharply under the US-led naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and that the regime was approaching a critical point.”
Atomic Agency Head Welcomes US-Iran Deal as ‘A Good Step Forward’ | BBC News
“The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says the agreement due to be signed between the US and Iran on Friday is ‘a good step forward,’ but warned there was still important work to do. Rafael Grossi was speaking to the BBC in Geneva before heading to the Bürgenstock resort, where the signing will take place. Asked if the terms were better or worse than the original deal to limit Iran’s nuclear capability (agreed under President Obama and which President Trump abandoned) Mr Grossi said there could be no comparison. This agreement was a ‘post-war agreement’ he said, whereas the previous one had been designed to allow Iran to proceed with some nuclear capability, for peaceful purposes only. This one would involve an inventory of what remained of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, he added, and would be complex because of the destruction of infrastructure during the conflict. Mr Grossi expects the IAEA to be tasked with inspecting what’s left of Iran’s nuclear facilities, and stressed that ‘if there is non-compliance, we (will) say it.”
Trump Stages an Iran Retreat | Wall Street Journal Editorial
“The biggest risk is if Mr. Trump sees this deal as a de facto partnership with Iran’s regime. Like Mr. Obama, he might overlook violations to strike the final deal or preserve it once it is signed. The people of Iran, whom Mr. Trump promised to help, would be the big losers. Iran’s new leaders are likely to conclude that Mr. Trump has no desire for more conflict, and they will negotiate accordingly. Congress should scrutinize any final agreement Mr. Trump makes with Iran—and reject it if it props up a regime that still says ‘death to America.’”
The Iran Deal Comes with a Familiar False Promise | Douglas J. Feith in the Washington Post
“The pattern is well established: A democracy concludes a peace or arms control deal with a nondemocratic adversary. On the democratic side, political leaders win valuable credit with the public. They explain to skeptics that compliance will be verified and enforced, and violations will end the deal. The adversary then breaks its word, but the politicians on the democratic side do not want to discredit the deal they made. They do not drop it, let alone claw back benefits from the other side. The adversary learns—or knew all along—that it can violate the deal without significant penalty. . . . The Islamic Republic of Iran has a long record of violating promises. History tells us to expect that, after benefiting financially, it will violate the deal and there will be no enforcement.”
MILITARY MATTERS & STRAIT OF HORMUZ CRISIS
Five Iranian Ships Have Crossed U.S. Blockade Line in Past 24 Hours | CBS News
“Five sanctioned Iranian ships have crossed the U.S. naval blockade line in the Gulf of Oman over the last 24 hours. Three crude oil tankers, one bulk carrier and a container ship departed the southern Iranian port of Chabahar and appeared to be headed east after transiting the blockade area Tuesday and Wednesday, according to open source tracking data from MarineTraffic.com. Another sanctioned oil tanker, the Stream, turned off its location broadcasting system overnight Monday as it approached the blockade zone from the east, having left Pakistan's port of Karachi. On Wednesday, crude oil tanker Herby and bulk carrier Aries were also tracked heading for the blockade area from Pakistan. All of the vessels are Iranian-flagged and owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines or the National Iranian Tanker Company, both of which are subject to U.S. sanctions in connection to Iran's oil trade and weapons program.”
Iran Vows to Levy Hormuz Transit Fees After 60-Day Free Passage | ChosunBiz
“Iran said it will again charge ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz once the 60-day period of ‘free passage’ ends. ., . . Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the parliament who is leading the Iranian negotiation team, said in an interview with state TV, ‘The Strait of Hormuz will not return to its prewar status,’ adding, ‘(When the 60 days of free passage end) ships will have to pay service expense in accordance with international law and navigation rules.’ Ghalibaf said, ‘Iran has sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz and will receive fair compensation for the services we provide,’ and argued, ‘The enemy has foolishly awakened Iran’s capacity to leverage the Strait of Hormuz.’”
Hegseth: If Iran Doesn’t Comply, We Will Reimpose Hormuz Blockade | Sky News
“The US defence secretary said the US will be prepared to recommence the war if Iran does not fulfil its commitments . . This includes Iran letting vessels pass unimpeded in the Strait of Hormuz and the US removing its naval blockade. ‘If Iran doesn’t comply, then we’re more than able to reimpose an ironclad blockade,’ [Pete] Hegseth said. He added that there are European countries prepared to step up to secure the strait.”
TERRORISM
Toronto Shooting Probe Uncovers Trail Leading to Tehran | Iran International
“Toronto police operation targeting suspects linked to the March attack on the US Consulate has uncovered what investigators believe is a far-reaching network connecting a series of shootings across the Greater Toronto Area to actors operating beyond Canada's borders. According to confidential information obtained by Iran International from police sources, investigators have identified a traceable logistics, supply and equipment pipeline linking suspects in the Toronto shootings to individuals and networks originating in Tehran.”
PROTESTS & HUMAN RIGHTS
Baha’i Citizen Hospitalized After “Beating During Arrest” | IranWire
“IranWire has learned that Noyan Hejazi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Juybar, was transferred to a hospital on Tuesday, June 16, due to injuries sustained from a beating by security forces during his arrest.”
SANCTIONS, BUSINESS RISKS & OTHER ECONOMIC NEWS
US Banks Face Scrutiny in DOJ Probe of Iran Supreme Leader’s Money Flows | Bloomberg
“The US Justice Department is conducting a probe into how Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei built a sprawling global investment portfolio with exposure to Wall Street banks, according to four officials with direct knowledge of the matter. The move stems from a broad examination into allegations of money laundering and corruption. As part of that, investigators have begun looking at the possible involvement of American financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc., in facilitating large money movements between firms overseen by Khamenei, three of the people said.”
IRANIAN INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
Ghalibaf Says Iran Won War Against US and Israel | Iran International
“Iran won the war against the United States and Israel, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, head of Iran’s negotiating delegation and the country's parliament speaker told state television on Wednesday.”
CONGRESS & IRAN
MAGA Hawk Mutiny Deepens Trump’s Isolation on Iran | Axios
“The backlash has been particularly scathing from allies Trump spent months amplifying as validators of his Iran campaign. Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen called the prospect of $300 billion for Iran ‘a disaster’—like offering Germany a Marshall Plan ‘while the Nazis were still in power.’ Fox News host Mark Levin, who spent months savaging anti-war voices like Carlson and Megyn Kelly, is now turning his fury toward the deal itself: ‘I sure as hell hope I am misreading and mishearing things,’ he wrote in a lengthy diatribe Tuesday. Many of the critics are careful not to attack Trump himself. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called on ‘the architect of the deal, Vice President Vance,’ to come before Congress to defend it. … Defending the deal on Megyn Kelly's show Tuesday, Vance dismissed hawk critics as wanting ‘an endless conflict’ that goes on ‘until every Iranian is dead’—then urged MAGA skeptics to stay inside the coalition.”
Trump’s Deal With Iran Opens New Rifts in G.O.P. | New York Times
“After the Trump administration released the text of the arrangement on Wednesday, some Senate Republicans reacted with fierce criticism, skepticism and alarm. Prominent members of the G.O.P.’s old guard from outside Congress also sounded dubious notes. And even some of the president’s allies in the conservative news media voiced concern. . . . On Wednesday morning, the front page of The New York Post offered a critical view of the administration. ‘Trump devastated Iran, now he hits them with a . . . LOVEBOMB,” the right-leaning tabloid’s front page blared, above an image of a burning American flag and text saying that Mr. Trump’s deal showered Iran’s leaders with ‘cash— and no sanctions.’ . . . Mr. Trump attacked critics of the deal on Wednesday, calling them ‘stupid and bad people,’ and declared that he had the support of the international community. He said carrying on the war would have ‘satisfied a group of 10 percent of the people,’ but would have ‘been the wrong thing to do.’”
Republicans Concerned About Iran Deal | Semafor
“Republicans are sharply divided over the memorandum of understanding with Iran that President Donald Trump’s administration shared on Wednesday. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., called it a ‘lousy deal,’ and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he’s ‘concerned about’ the agreement: ‘I’ve heard it described as an intermission, unfortunately leaving Iran with the capability to rebuild its arsenal and continue enriching uranium.’ His Texas colleague, GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, is warning against the agreement too, telling Semafor ‘it’s fair to say’ he’s not a fan. Not everyone agrees: Some framed the agreement as better than ground troops. That ‘would be terrible, so this is better,’ said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said the deal is recognizing ‘reality and oftentimes that’s not fun to do. . . . Trump loves winning, but he hates losing worse, and the Iranians ought to take that into consideration.’”
Cruz Says Trump Is Getting ‘Bad Advice’ on Iran | Associated Press
“The Texas Republican, a leading hawk on Iran, heavily criticized the draft of the memorandum of agreement between the U.S. and Tehran shortly after it was released to journalists. ‘Giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea,’ Cruz told reporters. ‘I think the president, unfortunately, is receiving bad advice.’ Cruz was also critical of how the agreement addresses the issue of tolls through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. draft secures toll-free passage through the vital waterway for 60 days, but it doesn’t preclude fees in the future. ‘Setting up Iran to be in charge of the Strait of Hormuz in perpetuity and to charge tolls is not in America’s interest,’ Cruz said. ‘In my view, the Ayatollah should not reap a single penny from the free transit of the seas.”
Senate Republican Leader Says MOU Leaves More Questions | Associated Press
“Sen. John Thune said he doesn’t think the document that’s now been released is the final product. ‘My understanding is, it’s a framework, it’s an MOU, and probably have more to come in terms of any final agreement,’ Thune told reporters at the Capitol. Congress has not yet been briefed on the emerging deal. ‘I don’t think probably what you’re seeing right now represents what a final deal will look like,’ he said. ‘I think that sounds like it’s still going to be negotiated.’ He said there are ‘a bunch of things’ senators will have questions about.”
Top Democrats Demand Rubio Briefing on Iran Deal | Axios
“The top Democrats on congressional committees overseeing foreign, defense and intelligence policy are demanding Secretary of State Marco Rubio provide a briefing on the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. . . . ‘While we welcome the Administration's turn toward diplomacy and its decision to end this war of choice, the Administration must provide Congress with greater details,’ they wrote in a three-page letter to Rubio.”
ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH, LEBANON & IRAN
Trump Criticizes Israel’s Handling of Hezbollah in Lebanon | NBC News
“In his remarks at his press conference, Trump criticized Israel's handling of its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. ‘I think they could do better with respect to Hezbollah. I am not saying they should not protect themselves. I am saying when two drones are shot into the desert and dropped harmlessly, you do not have to knock down buildings in Beirut,’ Trump said. He continued, ‘They could behave better and, frankly, they could do a better job.’”
Hezbollah Chief Hails US-Iran Interim Agreement as ‘Big Victory’ | Al Jazeera
“We congratulate the Iranian people, leadership and those who support freedom on this big victory, and we thank the Islamic Republic for linking the Lebanon front – the resistance, which has sacrificed a lot – and forcing Israel to stop its aggression,’ Qassem said in a televised address. ‘The goal was to bring down the Iranian regime, but the might of American tyranny was broken, and Washington’s colonialist project for Iran failed,’ he said. ‘The goal of bringing down the Iranian regime and destroying the dignified life of revolutionary Iran failed, and the direction shifted.’”
After War Losses, Hezbollah Seen Gaining from Iran-US Deal | Reuters
“Two regional diplomats briefed by Tehran said Iran had assured Hezbollah it would receive more funds once assets are unfrozen, while a senior Lebanese source said Iran had promised funds as soon as possible, and another Lebanese source said Iran was expected to boost support.”
Lebanese President Says Negotiations with Israel Are Independent of U.S.-Iran Deal | CBS News
“Lebanon's president said Wednesday that the country's negotiations with Israel were independent of the U.S.-Iran deal. ‘The assurances we have received, and what we insist on, is that Lebanon's path in the negotiations is independent, though we are certainly for a ceasefire and for any country that helps us, including Iran,’ President Joseph Aoun said, according to a statement from his office. ‘The Lebanese state is sovereign in its decision-making, and for the first time, it is the one conducting the negotiations, and nobody is negotiating for us,’ Aoun said ahead of a fifth round of Israeli-Lebanese talks next week.”
GULF STATES & IRAN
“A handful of Qatari liquified natural gas (LNG) tankers appeared to be heading back for the country's export terminals in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, an indication of hope on the part of the energy producer ahead of the expected signing of the U.S.-Iran deal on Friday. Five LNG tankers operated or chartered to state-owned petroleum and natural gas enterprise QatarEnergy have changed course from routes in Asia and Africa since the announcement of the tentative agreement between the U.S. and Iran that's expected to formally reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The ships were all heading Wednesday for Qatar's Ras Laffan port in the Gulf, according to data from MarineTraffic.com. Iranian strikes on Ras Laffan Industrial City in March reduced its LNG production capacity by 17%, according to Qatar's energy minister.”
CYBERSECURITY MATTERS
UK Says Three-Quarters of Cyberattacks on Critical Systems Are Linked to Hostile States | Reuters
“Three-quarters of cyberattacks targeting Britain's critical infrastructure can be linked to hostile state actors, the head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Richard Horne, said in a speech on Wednesday. Horne said that in the year to May 2026 the NCSC had dealt with 200 incidents involving critical infrastructure and supporting systems. He warned that hostile states, such as Russia, China and Iran, were increasingly targeting the systems that underpin essential services.”
MISCELLANEOUS
For Iranian Jews Who Have Been Cheering Trump On, His New Deal Is Hard to Stomach | Forward
“When Iranian Jews woke up on Feb. 28 to news that the United States and Israel had killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and were striking regime infrastructure across Iran, many felt something they had not experienced in decades: hope that they might see a free Iran in their lifetime. . . . Now, four months later, as the U.S. and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding that appears to leave the Islamic Republic very much intact, Iranian Jews who spoke to the Forward say that sense of excitement has given way to disillusionment.”