Middle East·18 June 2026
The US and Iran have formally signed and entered into force a Memorandum of Understanding ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and initiating sanctions relief, though Trump warns he could resume bombing if Iran violates terms. Hezbollah and IDF clashes continue in southern Lebanon with casualties on both sides, and Iran warns that Israeli attacks breach US commitments in the new deal. A new vessel attack off Yemen and a settler arson attack on a West Bank mosque were also reported.
US-Iran MOU Signed, Implementation Begins
The United States and Iran have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding, bringing into effect an agreement to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The document was signed electronically by both President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with Trump signing during the G7 Summit in Versailles and Pezeshkian signing the Persian version in Iran. Pakistan, acting as mediator, has confirmed the agreement has entered into force. The MOU includes a permanent ceasefire in all theaters, including Lebanon, the lifting of all US sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian funds, and a commitment from Iran to forgo nuclear weapons production. A $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran is also outlined, though the US version of the text states the mechanism will be settled after 60 days as part of a later final deal, while the Iranian version says it will be finalized within 60 days as part of the current agreement. The Strait of Hormuz is to reopen immediately, with Pakistan's Prime Minister stating that Iranian oil tankers are already departing from Chabahar port.
President Trump has repeatedly warned that the MOU is not a final agreement and that the US could resume airstrikes if Iran fails to comply. In multiple statements, Trump said he would 'go back to shooting at them' or 'drop bombs smack in the middle' if the deal does not meet his expectations. He also stated that Iran will not collect tolls from vessels in the Strait after a 60-day period, citing the threat of renewed bombing. The agreement has strained US-Israel relations, with Trump publicly criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu over continued military operations in Lebanon and reportedly telling him, 'Why are you blowing up buildings?' Iran's Foreign Ministry has warned that continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon would constitute a breach of US commitments made in the MOU, and that it is Washington's responsibility to compel Israel to respect the terms.
Hezbollah and IDF Clash in Southern Lebanon
Hezbollah operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon continued over the past 24 hours, with multiple attacks and Israeli retaliatory strikes reported. An Israeli drone strike targeted a car near Kfar Tebnit, killing one person and critically wounding another. An improvised explosive device detonated in the Litani region, killing Israeli Master Sergeant (Res.) Alexander Filin and wounding seven soldiers from the 36th Division and Golani Brigade. In a separate incident, five Israeli soldiers were wounded in two Hezbollah FPV drone strikes on June 11, with the IDF responding by striking Hezbollah positions. Israeli media described an incident on June 11 as an 'exceptional security event,' with 10 soldiers wounded by a Hezbollah IED trap. The IDF also released footage showing the destruction of a Hezbollah rocket launcher in the border area that had been used to fire barrages at northern Israel.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a speech warning that Israel's project in Lebanon aims to eliminate Hezbollah militarily, culturally, and politically, claiming that Hezbollah has broken Israel's 'Greater Israel' project. He cited numbers of Israeli mechanisms and aircraft targeted. Iran's Foreign Ministry warned that if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, it will be considered a breach of US commitments made to Iran in the MOU, and that Tehran does not differentiate between the US and Israel regarding responsibility. Iran emphasized it is Washington's duty to compel Israel to respect the commitments it made to Tehran.
Red Sea and Yemen: Maritime Attack Reported
A new attack on a vessel off the coast of Yemen has been reported by the UKMTO, following a recent report of an attack 105 nautical miles northeast of Aden where two armed skiffs approached and opened fire. Details of this latest incident are still emerging. This continues a pattern of maritime threats in the region, even as the US-Iran MOU aims to stabilize the wider area.
West Bank: Settler Violence in Jiljilya
Israeli settlers vandalized and set fire to a mosque in the village of Jaljulia, north of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. The attackers left graffiti reading 'revenge' in Hebrew and burnt tires inside the mosque. This attack is part of an escalating wave of settler violence targeting Palestinian properties and religious sites in the West Bank.