Shafaq News- Tehran/ Washington/ Bern

The planned signing of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding remains on track for Friday in Switzerland, despite reports that Tehran had canceled its delegation's trip, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

The agency, citing an informed source, denied reports that the Iranian negotiating team had withdrawn from the talks, saying there had been "no change" to the Switzerland schedule while Iranian authorities continue reviewing the mechanism for formally endorsing the memorandum.

Separately, Axios reported that the meeting remains scheduled for Friday, although mediators are exploring the possibility of moving the signing date forward to accelerate the reopening of the strategic waterway.

Switzerland's Foreign Ministry confirmed it has been in close contact with the United States, Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar in recent days to facilitate the meeting and coordinate the arrival of delegations. The ministry said the talks are expected to take place in the resort town of Bürgenstock, a venue proposed by Pakistani and Qatari mediators and accepted by both Washington and Tehran.

More than 2,000 troops will be deployed to secure the venue, while a temporary no-fly zone will be imposed over the area, the Swiss revealed in a statement.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced earlier this week that Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement to end military operations across the Middle East, including in Lebanon.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Hezbollah Secretary-GeneralNaim Qassem on Wednesday said Israel “must leave” Lebanese territory, rejectingany buffer or special security zones in southern Lebanon.

“There are no experimentalzones, no safe zones for Israel, and no yellow, red or green areas … It willleave,” Qassem declared in a televised address, portraying Tel Aviv as an“existential threat” to Lebanon and accusing it of seeking to eliminateHezbollah “militarily, culturally, politically, socially and popularly” as partof a plan to “erase a large segment of Lebanese society.”

⭕مشروعهم إنهاء حزب الله عسكرياً وثقافياً وسياسياً واجتماعياً بما يعني إبادة وإعدام شريحة كبيرة من المجتمع اللبناني⭕الخطر وجودي ونحن لا نقاتل من أجل رقعة أرض بل ندافع عن وجود وحياة وأرض ومستقبل وخط ومسارالأمين العام لحزب الله الشيخ نعيم قاسم #الميادين pic.twitter.com/GJfUn25gr6

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) June 17, 2026

“We are not fighting over apiece of land or because of a minor aggression. We are defending our existence,our lives, our land, our future and our path. We have the right to defendourselves, and we must do so.”

Read more: Israel's war fell on Christians and Shiites inSouthern Lebanon

He argued that the group hadblocked Israeli objectives by preventing the occupation of Lebanese territoryand thwarting the Greater Israel project. Hezbollah, he noted, carried out3,185 operations during the latest war, averaging 30 attacks a day, and targeted hundreds of Israeli assets, including 518military vehicles and 85 aircraft, while downing 12 drones and 12 loiteringmunitions, damaging a helicopter, and inflicting 1,347 casualties on Israeliforces.

Reaffirming the group’s supportfor the deployment of the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River in accordancewith the ceasefire agreement reached on Nov. 27, 2024, the Hezbollah leaderrejected direct negotiations with Israel and maintained that any contactsshould focus on “mutual security” and restoring Lebanese sovereignty ratherthan disarmament.

Read more: US-Iran ceasefire deal leaves Lebanon without guarantees

Shafaq News- Tehran

Tehran authorities are preparing for the funeral procession of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with part of the ceremonies set to take place in Iraq on July 8, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani said on Wednesday.

In a press conference, Zakani noted that several routes are under consideration for the funeral procession in the Iranian capital, including Damavand Street, Enghelab (Revolution) Street, Azadi (Freedom) Street, and the corridor extending toward Lashgari Expressway.

He added that the main streets alone would not be able to accommodate the anticipated turnout, prompting officials to consider surrounding roads and secondary routes as part of crowd management plans.

He also announced that Khamenei's body would be transferred to Iraq for a funeral ceremony on July 8, without providing further details.

Khamenei was killed in the initial US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28, ending more than three decades as Iran's supreme leader. He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly injured in the same attacks and has not made any public appearances since assuming the position.

Shafaq News- Ankara

Turkish intelligence has arrested a senior ISIS mediaoperative during a security operation near the country's border after a lengthyintelligence-led investigation, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday,citing security sources.

The operation targeted the media infrastructure ofISIS-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), the group's Afghanistan- and Pakistan-basedaffiliate, and resulted in the arrest of Ahmed Kazanji, who allegedly operatedunder the aliases “Abu Ubaida” and “Abu Ibrahim.”

Security sources said Kazanji assumed responsibility for thegroup's media activities in Turkiye after the arrest of Ozgur Altun, also knownas “Abu Yasser Al-Turki,” who was detained by Turkish authorities earlier thisyear.

Investigators found that Kazanji had previously traveledfrom Turkiye to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, where he joined ISIS, receivedmilitary and ideological training, and later took on media and organizationalroles within the group.

According to the sources, he worked alongside Altun inrecruiting and transferring ISIS members from Turkiye to areas where the groupoperates and later assumed responsibility for some organizational activitiesfollowing Altun’s arrest. Intelligence assessments also indicated that Kazanjisurvived airstrikes targeting ISIS elements in Pakistan and was attempting tore-enter Turkiye through illegal routes to resume activities on behalf of thegroup.

Earlier this month, Ankara announced the arrest of OzgurAltun in a joint operation conducted by Turkish and Pakistani intelligenceservices near the Afghan border before he was transferred to Turkiye for legalproceedings.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran resumed crude oil exports for the first time in two months afterseveral tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz, TankerTrackers, a maritimetracking service, reported on Wednesday, days before Tehran and Washington aredue to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Switzerland.

Two crude carriers operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company(NITC) passed through a blockade previously enforced by the US Navy. Thevessels —Diona and Hero 2— were carrying a combined 3.8 million barrels ofIranian crude oil, while a third NITC-operated Suezmax-class tanker transportedabout 1 million barrels.

BREAKING: CRUDE OIL DEPARTS IRAN FOLLOWING A TWO MONTH LONG NAVY BLOCKADEAccording to AIS data which we corroborated yesterday (2026-06-15) by satellite imagery, at least two National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCC supertankers named DIONA (9569695) and HERO2 (9362073) have… pic.twitter.com/tSesQTcC6K

— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) June 16, 2026

The crossings mark the first reported movement of Iranian oil exportssince a US blockade began on April 13, targeting vessels entering or departingIranian ports, including those in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Last week, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signaled that aUS-Iran agreement had been reached, ending military operations across allfronts, including in Lebanon. US President Donald Trump later confirmed thedevelopment on Truth Social, writing that “the Deal with the Islamic Republicof Iran is now complete.”

“I hereby fully authorize the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz,and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the UnitedStates Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oilflow!” he added.

The formal signing of the US-Iran MoU is scheduled for June 19 inSwitzerland.

Shafaq News- Damascus

Several areas in the Syrian capital Damascus witnessedsecurity tensions and unauthorized protest gatherings in recent hours, localsources told Shafaq News on Tuesday.

Shafaq News correspondent reported that dozens of peoplegathered at the entrance of Al-Mazza 86 district, chanting slogans againstresidents described by protesters as affiliated with the former government orbenefiting from disputed land allocations in the area. The gatherings wereaccompanied by allegations of threats directed at residents.

The situation escalated as some protesters began vandalizingcommercial shops on the outskirts of the district in an attempt to move deeperinto the area. According to the correspondent, participants carried leafletsand posters calling on residents to leave the neighborhood and accusing them ofseizing land in previous years.

The materials also contained sectarian rhetoric against Alawites.The origin of the leaflets could not be independently verified, though theircirculation coincided with the unrest.

Read more:7 Alawites missing in Damascus amid rising tensions

Security forces intervened and deployed reinforcements tocontain the situation, restore order, and pursue those involved in thedisturbances, following reports of damage to private property and commercialestablishments.

In Homs province, the historic city of Palmyra witnessed thedisplacement of dozens of families amid ongoing security tensions, followingreported attacks against residents accused of ties to the former Syriangovernment.

Shafaq News- Tehran

The final agreement between Iran and the United States will cover both Tehran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Tuesday.

According to Iranian state media, Araghchi said talks with Washington would begin on the same day a memorandum of understanding is signed and continue for 60 days in an effort to reach a final agreement.

Economically, international media reports, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, clarified that Iran would be allowed to begin selling oil and fuel once the memorandum is signed, with sanctions waivers covering related banking, transport, and insurance services.

The framework also includes plans for a $300 billion private investment fund, with more than half of the financing already committed. However, the proposed fund would only become operational after a final agreement is reached and remains separate from negotiations over sanctions relief and frozen Iranian assets.

Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the United States and Iran had reached a peace agreement ending military operations across the region and said a formal signing ceremony is expected in Geneva on June 19.

Shafaq News- Middle East

A $300 billion private investment fund, with more than half of its value already committed, has emerged as a key economic incentive in the US-Iran framework agreement, a source told Reuters.

The fund is designed to push both sides toward a final deal after US and Iranian officials agreed on a framework to end the war, halt the US blockade on Iran, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil.

The vehicle will be private, not a reconstruction or reparations program, and would include no government money or grants. Companies based in the United States, Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America, and Africa have agreed to commit financing, with pledged investments spanning energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transport.

Another senior Iranian source told the outlet that Tehran had initially sought $400 billion in compensation for war damage from Washington, but the United States refused to provide compensation, leading to the proposed fund as a separate investment mechanism.

The fund, expected to be named the Reconstruction and Development Fund, would not be created or become operational until a “final and satisfactory” agreement is signed. During the 60-day memorandum period, fund administrators are expected to work with Iranian officials and investors to plan and scope projects, including damaged industrial and infrastructure sites.

The proposed fund is also separate from parallel talks on lifting US sanctions and releasing Iranian sovereign assets frozen abroad.

Still, the framework remains short of a final settlement. US and Iranian negotiators are expected to work across several tracks during the 60-day period, including nuclear restrictions, sanctions relief, and regional security arrangements. US Vice President JD Vance earlier acknowledged that Iran could gain access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund if it complies with an agreement with Washington, including dismantling its nuclear program, eliminating its enriched material stockpile, and accepting a strict inspection and enforcement regime.

Iran could begin selling oil and fuel once the memorandum is signed, with banking, transport, and insurance services included to facilitate those sales, but access to benefits would “depend on Tehran complying with the agreement’s terms.” Those conditions include Iran not obtaining a nuclear weapon, neutralizing enriched material, and not interfering with free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran will launch a "harsh response" against Israel if it continuesits attacks in Lebanon, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned onTuesday.

Quoting the headquarters, Iranian media reported that Israel had violatedthe ceasefire in southern Lebanon 84 times over the past two days following theannouncement of the US-Iran deal, which includes a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Despite the agreement between Washington and Tehran, Israeli attacks todayin southern Lebanon killed four people and injured others.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that the cumulative toll sinceMarch 2 is more than 3,826 dead and 11,851 wounded.

Channel 13 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened anemergency meeting to address managing and separating the Iranian and Lebanesefronts.

Shafaq News- Damascus

ISIS claimed responsibility Tuesday for anattack targeting a Syrian Interior Ministry camp in the city of Raqqa, whichkilled one of its personnel and injured three others.

The Syrian Interior Ministry had announcedMonday that one of its personnel was killed during an operation to repel anattack by two ISIS militants on an Internal Security Forces commandheadquarters in Raqqa. Ministry spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba confirmed thatthe Counter-Terrorism Directorate is working to cut off the group's sources ofsupport and currently holds 5,989 detainees distributed across several militaryranks from elements of the former regime.

ISIS does not maintain a permanent website orverified accounts on major social media platforms, relying instead on encryptedmessaging applications —most notably Telegram— where supporters continuouslycreate temporary channels to evade content bans.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Israeli strikes killed four people and injured others insouthern Lebanon, local media reported on Tuesday.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said the casualtieswere recorded in the towns of Choukine and Maifadoun, in the Nabatieh district, addingthat Israeli drones targeted gatherings in Maifadoun’s central square, injuringthree people.

In a separate incident, an Israeli drone reportedly droppeda stun grenade near a group of young men in the town of Haddatha, causing minorinjuries to four people.

The Lebanese Army stated that its units had dismantledunexploded aerial bombs, identified and secured munitions and other suspiciousobjects, and continued efforts to remove debris and reopen roads in areasaffected by Israeli strikes.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah published videos showing attacks onIsraeli military vehicles in the town of Yahmar Al-Shaqif using what itdescribed as “suicide drones.”

The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that the cumulativetoll since March 2 is more than 3,826 dead and 11,851 wounded.

Earlier, the Israeli Army confirmed that 30 officers andsoldiers were killed and 1,347 injured in southern Lebanon since fighting withHezbollah resumed on March 2, including 45 soldiers wounded over the past threedays.

Shafaq News-Évian-les-Bains

US PresidentDonald Trump on Tuesday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toexercise greater restraint in Lebanon, suggesting Syria take over the fightagainst Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group operating across the country.

Speaking toreporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, Trumpsaid the conflict had gone on too long and that civilian casualties had mountedbeyond what he considered acceptable. "Israel has been fighting Hezbollahtoo long, and too many people are being killed," he said. "You don'thave to knock down an apartment house every time you're looking for somebody,because there's a lot of people in those apartment houses —and they're not allHezbollah."

"I've hada great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible withrespect to Lebanon," Trump added, using Netanyahu's common nickname.

On Sunday, theIsraeli army struck a building in Beirut's southern suburbs, killing threepeople and injuring more than a dozen others. Israel said the strike targeted aHezbollah command center. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that thecumulative death toll from Israeli strikes since March 2 reached 3,756, with11,632 people wounded, as of June 13.

Trump said hehad proposed that Israel allow Syria to assume responsibility for counteringHezbollah, identifying Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as capable of taking onthe task. "I think they'd do a better job of doing it," he said.

Al-Sharaa,whose government came to power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad'sgovernment, publicly rejected that framing days earlier, saying that reports ofSyria's entry into Lebanon were "nothing but speculation" and that"Syria's approach aims to end the war in Lebanon, not to expand it or getinvolved."

Sources inDamascus told Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump's suggestion was "a form ofreshuffling the cards" and fell within "the framework of negotiatingstatements and sending messages to Iran," and that no official US requestfor Syrian military intervention had been received.

The Lebanonquestion sits at the center of a broader diplomatic dispute over the terms of aMemorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, scheduled forsigning on Friday in Geneva. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saidTuesday that the deal would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, calling anend to the fighting there "an inseparable part of the complete end of thewar." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the security zones insouthern Lebanon will stay and are "among the army's greatestachievements," and confirmed that he and Netanyahu had conveyed theiropposition to withdrawal directly to Trump and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.Netanyahu acknowledged Iran's demand but said Israel would remain in the bufferzone "as long as necessary."

Despite hiscriticism of Israeli tactics, Trump did not indicate any shift in Washington'sfoundational commitment to Israeli security. "Without the US, there'd beno Israel," he said, adding that Israel would have faced destruction"a long time ago" without American involvement. He linked his concernover Lebanon directly to the larger diplomatic objective: "When thathappens, it throws a negative light on the big deal, and that's the deal withIran."

Shafaq News- Damascus

A judicial official was injured onTuesday after an explosive device targeted his vehicle in Damascus countryside,a security source told Shafaq News.

The source identified the injuredofficial as Salah Ahmad al-Saleh, head of the Justice Palace department in thetown of Babila. The bomb, planted by unidentified individuals, detonated as hisvehicle passed through the Daff al-Shawk neighborhood.

Security agencies have launched aninvestigation to determine the circumstances of the attack and identify thoseresponsible. No group has claimed responsibility, and Syrian authorities haveyet to comment on the incident.

Damascus witnessed several bombattacks in May. A car bomb near a military facility in the Bab al-Sharqi areakilled one person and wounded 18 others, a roadside bomb in the Sayyida Zaynabdistrict injured a civilian, and an improvised explosive device planted aboarda public transportation bus in the al-Wurood neighborhood wounded four people.

No party claimed responsibility forthose attacks. However, ISIS later claimed responsibility for the killing ofSheikh Farhan al-Mansour, preacher of the Sayyida Zaynab Shrine, in a carbombing near the Safir al-Zahraa Hotel.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran will soon begin implementing aproject to connect its electricity grid with Qatar's power network, EnergyMinister Abbas Aliabadi announced on Tuesday, as Tehran moves to expandregional energy cooperation with Gulf countries.

According to Iran's Tasnim NewsAgency, Aliabadi said studies for the Iran-Qatar interconnection project hadreached their final stages and that the first phase of implementation wouldstart shortly.

Iran, he added, is also preparingstudies and projects to link its electricity grid with those of other Gulfstates. He described regional interconnection projects as a way to strengthengrid stability, improve energy efficiency, and increase electricity exchangeamong participating countries.

The announcement comes as Qatarremains engaged in diplomacy surrounding the emerging US-Iran agreement,sending a delegation to Tehran last week despite transferring its role as leadmediator in the talks to Pakistan.

According to Iran's Energy Ministry,the country has about 40.6 million electricity subscribers, including 32.3million residential users.

Data from Open Infrastructure Map,an open-source platform specializing in energy infrastructure, shows that Iranoperates 334 power plants with a combined generation capacity of 78,439megawatts and more than 84,000 kilometers of mapped transmission lines. Naturalgas accounts for the bulk of Iran's electricity generation capacity, while thecountry's energy mix also includes hydroelectric, solar, wind, oil-fired, coal,nuclear, diesel, and geothermal power plants.

Shafaq News- Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday thatIsrael's fight against Iran and its regional allies was not over, pledging to keepIsraeli forces in security zones established in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, oneday after Washington and Tehran reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu argued that Israelistrikes had pushed back Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities and removedwhat he called an immediate threat to Israel. “With an agreement, without anagreement, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”

On relations with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said the twoleaders did not always agree, adding that he would continue to defend Israel'sinterests.

Asked about the emerging US-Iran agreement, Netanyahu noted that thearrangement was being pursued by Washington and reiterated that Israel wouldact independently to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

“I am committed to therebeing no such threat against us.”

The United States and Iran reached an agreementproviding for an immediate and permanent halt to military operations across allfronts, including Lebanon. A memorandum of understanding is expected to besigned on Friday.

Netanyahu had previously outlined four goals he said Israelexpected from any arrangement with Iran: removing Tehran's stockpile ofenriched nuclear material, dismantling its enrichment infrastructure,restricting missile production, and ending support for regional armed groups.

Israeli media reported on Monday that Netanyahu had informed Trumpthat Israel does not consider itself bound by provisions related to Lebanon andwould not accept restrictions on its ability to act against Hezbollah.

Read more: US-Iran ceasefire deal leaves Lebanon withoutguarantees

Shafaq News- Beirut

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday welcomed the recently signedIran–US ceasefire agreement during a phone call with Iranian Foreign MinisterAbbas Araghchi.

Describing the understanding as a potential opening to ease regionaltensions, he stressed the need to sustain political and diplomatic momentum insupport of longer-term stability across Lebanon.

Araghchi, in turn, conveyed the importance of respecting Lebanon’ssovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing hope that the positiveatmosphere generated by the accord would contribute to the country’s stabilityand support recovery and development efforts.

تلقّى رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون مساء اليوم اتصالاً هاتفياً من وزير خارجية الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية السيد عباس عراقجي، تم خلاله التداول في المستجدات الإقليمية الراهنة وعدد من الملفات ذات الاهتمام المشترك.وخلال الاتصال، رحّب الرئيس عون بالتفاهم الذي تم التوصل إليه بين…

— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) June 15, 2026

The call was followed by another conversation between LebaneseParliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Araghchi, during which the Iranian ForeignMinister briefed Berri on the details of the agreement, including the cessationof Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.

He also underlined that the clause should take effect immediately andremain in force throughout a 60-day negotiation period, noting that ensuringcompliance with the provision falls under the responsibility of the UnitedStates and other parties designated as guarantors of the understanding.

Despite the proposed agreement, Israel has repeatedly claimed tomaintain its presence in areas it considers strategically important. Earliertoday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz noted that he and Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu had adopted a policy under which Israeli forces would remainin “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.

Meanwhile, Maariv, quoting a military source, reported that Israeliforces would continue operating in the “Yellow Line” area in southern Lebanonand had not received any orders to halt operations or withdraw troops fromareas where they are currently deployed.

Read more: US-Iran ceasefire deal leaves Lebanon without guarantees

Shafaq News- Beirut (Updated at 21:42)

The Israeli Army on Monday confirmed that 30 officers and soldiers werekilled and 1,347 injured in southern Lebanon since fighting with Hezbollahresumed on March 2, including 45 soldiers wounded over the past three days.

Citing a security source, Israel’s Channel 12 stated that the Army isscaling back operations in Lebanon while awaiting a decision from politicalleadership.

The development comes as the United States and Iran reached a peaceagreement requiring an immediate and permanent halt to military operationsacross all fronts, including Lebanon.

Israel, however, has repeatedly claimed to maintain its presence inareas it considers strategically important. Channel 12 added that Israeliforces will continue operating in the “Yellow Line” area in southern Lebanonand have not received orders to halt operations or withdraw from currentpositions.

Despite the agreement, several Israeli violations were recorded.Lebanese media reported intermittent Israeli shelling around Nabatieh al-Fawqa,Kfar Tibnit, Yohmor al-Shaqif and Zawtar al-Sharqiya as residents returned totheir villages. No casualties were documented.

مسيّرة استهدفت سيارة في كفرتبنيت وقصف مدفعي لكفرتبنيت والنبطية الفوقا https://t.co/abEf7J2Ejx

— National News Agency (@NNALeb) June 15, 2026

🚗 زحمة سير كثيفة على الطريق الساحلي باتجاه الجنوب pic.twitter.com/slrY44i2np

— Al Jadeed News (@ALJADEEDNEWS) June 15, 2026

A Lebanese security source also informed Shafaq News that Hezbollahlaunched two rockets at Israeli vehicles attempting to advance toward the Alial-Taher heights. The group later said it had targeted an Israeli forceconsisting of a bulldozer and two Merkava tanks with rockets and attack drones inresponse to Israeli “ceasefire violation,” claiming the force was compelled toretreat.

Read more: US-Iran ceasefire deal leaves Lebanon without guarantees

Shafaq News- Beirut

Hezbollah welcomed on Monday Iran’s support for Lebanon, addingthat recent developments were a step toward the “full liberation” of Lebaneseterritory and the reconstruction of areas damaged during the war.

In a statement, the group expressed appreciation forTehran’s insistence" that Lebanon remain part of any understandings or settlements.

“The enemy must understand thatthere is no return to the situation that existed before March 2,” the group said, referring tochanges brought about by the recent confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah.

The current developments, the group added, represent “aprelude to completing the path of full liberation of Lebanese territory,” aswell as securing the return of prisoners and displaced residents, particularlythose from border villages. “The next phase would focus on rebuilding areas damaged bythe war.”

Hezbollah urged residents of border regions and displacedpeople to wait for guidance from the relevant authorities before returning totheir villages and towns, explaining that the measure was intended to avoidrisks that could result from possible Israeli violations or security incidents.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that ending the war in Lebanon forms “an integral part” of theagreement, which is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday. Baqaei said the memorandum was reached after months ofnegotiations and would serve as a framework for further discussions onsanctions relief and other outstanding issues between Iran and the UnitedStates.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker NabihBerri welcomed the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, whichincludes a ceasefire in Lebanon. Aoun said he valued the agreement's acknowledgment of Lebanon's particularcircumstances, while Berri pointed out that the memorandum preserves Lebanon'sfull sovereignty without compromising the country's independence or freedom ofnational decision-making.

Shafaq News- Tehran

The ending of the war in Lebanon forms an integral part ofthe agreement, which is scheduled to be signed officially on June 19, Iran’sForeign Ministry confirmed on Monday, adding that the United States still faces“a long road” to gain the trust of the Iranian people.

In a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson EsmaeilBaqaei said after nearly 100 days of developments and confrontations, a finalagreement had been reached the previous night to end the conflict on allfronts.

“The agreement is an important step toward de-escalation andending a war that caused significant damage to countries across the region andto Iran itself,” he noted, affirming that the memorandum clearly addressesIran’s frozen assets and post-war reconstruction.

“The issue of frozen assets is a right belonging to Iran,not a concession from the United States,” he said, revealing that reconstructionefforts related to an “unjust war involving war crimes were also explicitlyincluded in the memorandum.”

Baqaei also stressed that sanctions relief remains a centralpillar of Iran’s negotiating strategy with Washington. “The United States isexpected to remove primary, secondary, and international sanctions, includingthose related to Iran’s nuclear program.”

Iran will work during 60 days to reach a final andcomprehensive agreement on the outstanding issues covered by the memorandum, thespokesperson vowed, stating that once the memorandum is signed on Friday, Iranwill be able to sell oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals withoutrestrictions.

Baqaei also denied reports that Tehran intends to imposetransit fees on ships passing through regional waterways. However, he clarifiedthat costs associated with navigation services and marine environmentalprotection “would need to be addressed through joint mechanisms between Iranand Oman.”

On the nuclear issue, Baqaei said Iran and the United Stateshave not yet held extensive discussions on the technical details of the nucleardossier. Iran’s position remains focused on uranium enrichment and its rightsas a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), as well asdiscussions concerning higher levels of enrichment, Baqaei claimed.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday welcomed the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which includes a ceasefire in Lebanon.

In a statement, Aoun said he valued the agreement's acknowledgment of Lebanon's particular circumstances, and called on all parties to translate the understanding into practical steps that would end the cycle of violence and open a path toward recovery and reconstruction. Aoun also thanked the states and parties that worked to ensure Lebanon was included in the de-escalation efforts, citing the scale of suffering Lebanese communities had endured in recent months.

Berri, for his part, said the memorandum preserves Lebanon's full sovereignty without compromising the country's independence or freedom of national decision-making. He commended the mediation efforts of Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt in bringing the deal together.

The memorandum, set to be signed on June 19 in Geneva, would extend an existing ceasefire for 60 days and bring Lebanon under its terms.

Berri has pursued a parallel diplomatic track alongside the direct Lebanese-Israeli talks held in Washington earlier this month —a process Hezbollah rejected outright. Hezbollah official Nawaf Mousawi revealed that the United States had requested a direct communication channel with the Lebanese negotiating team, but that Hezbollah referred Washington to Berri as the sole legitimate interlocutor. The group clarified it was not in direct contact with Aoun or Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, routing all communication through Berri instead.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urged Lebanon to cancel the Washington talks, while Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, described the official negotiating team as closer in position to the Israeli side than to Lebanon's own declared interests.

Despite the proposed agreement, Israel signaled it would maintain its military presence in areas it considers strategically important. Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had adopted a policy under which Israeli forces would remain in "security zones" in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. Meanwhile, Maariv quoted a military source as saying Israeli forces would continue operating in the so-called "Yellow Line" area in southern Lebanon and had not received any orders to halt operations or withdraw troops from areas where they are currently deployed.

Read more: US-Iran ceasefire deal leaves Lebanon without guarantees

Shafaq News- Damascus

An Israeli military unit, accompanied by severalvehicles and two tanks, briefly entered the Wadi al-Raqad area in westernDaraa, southern Syria, before withdrawing.

State media SANA reported that troops opened firetoward nearby farmland on Sunday, without resulting in injuries.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)documented 620 Israeli ground operations across Syria between December 2024 andFebruary 2026, with Daraa and Quneitra recording the highest number.

SOHR also counted at least 15 movements between June 6and June 11 this year in al-Asha, Ruwayhina, al-Ajraf, Jabata al-Khashab,al-Rafid, Umm al-Louqs, Maariya, and several communities in the Yarmouk Basin.

Damascus has repeatedly accused Israel of violatingthe 1974 disengagement agreement and demanded a withdrawal from areas it sayswere seized after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. Israeliofficials, however, maintain that troops will remain there for securityreasons.

Read more: Syria's shifting stance: Is normalization with Israel on the horizon?

Shafaq News- Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told USPresident Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by theLebanon clause of the emerging US-Iran agreement, asserting that Tel Aviv willnot accept any arrangement limiting its freedom to act against Hezbollah.

According to Israeli officials cited by YediothAhronoth, Netanyahu also informed Trump that Israeli forces will not withdrawfrom Lebanon and that the Israeli forces will maintain their current positions,continuing operations to neutralize Hezbollah threats, including thedestruction of militant infrastructure and responses to any attack on Israeliterritory.

The Israeli Security Cabinet convened to address thestandoff, with ministers expressing broad support for Netanyahu's position.Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that Lebanon should be the arena forany Israeli military response to Iranian aggression, because Lebanon fallswithin Israel's direct security sphere, while Iran remains the domain of US-leddiplomacy. Under that logic, Israel could avoid accusations of underminingTrump's negotiations while preserving its operational freedom against Hezbollah.

Read more: Iran and Israel exchange of missiles: What was achieved?

Smotrich proposed warning residents of the BeqaaValley —a Hezbollah stronghold in eastern Lebanon— that they would have onehour to evacuate if Iran attacked Israel, after which the army would strikedozens of targets in the area. Supporters of the approach framed such strikesas delivering deterrence against both Hezbollah and Iran simultaneously, withone official saying the flight time to Lebanon is "five minutes instead offour hours."

Other ministers pressed for stronger action, accordingto the newspaper. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for adisproportionate response to any Iranian fire, while Transport Minister MiriRegev said Israel must "stop the ping-pong." Minister Gila Gamlielcalled for territorial gains, and Minister Eli Cohen said any response mustestablish clear deterrence without rupturing ties with Washington.

Israeli officials said they assessed overnight thatIran had decided to stand down following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southernsuburbs (Dahiyeh) after concluding that US pressure had led Tehran to avoidescalation that could derail the nuclear negotiations.

On the ground, Israeli military operations in southernLebanon continued Monday. Lebanon's National News Agency reported Israeliartillery shelling on the towns of Kafr Tibnit and Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa. TheIsraeli army also detonated a remote-controlled M113 armored vehicle on theHaris-Tibnin road, and an Israeli drone struck a vehicle in Kafr Tibnit, withreports of casualties. Explosions were also reported in the city of Khiam inthe Marjayoun district.

Read more: Israel reshapes southern Lebanon: Displacement and settlement fears

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran has entered "zero hour" for a response toIsrael's on Beirut's southern suburbs (Dahye), Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviserto Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Sunday.

"Launch platforms are being prepared," Velayatisaid, warning that if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue, the Strait of Hormuzand Bab al-Mandab could place severe pressure on “Israel's economic lifelines.”

1) A miscalculation in #Beirut has exhausted patience. The order has been given. Zero hour is approaching and launchers stand ready. #Hezbollah is a vital part of the Resistance Axis.

— Aliakbar Velayati (@Drvelayati_ir) June 14, 2026

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry said Tehran holds theUnited States responsible for “Israel's violation of the ceasefire in Lebanon.”The operation, according to the ministry, constitutes a “blatant breach ofLebanon’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a flagrant breachof the ceasefire understanding between Iran and the US.”

بیانیه وزارت امور خارجه درباره تداوم جنایات رژیم صهیونیستی در حمله به #ضاحیه بیروت...این جنایت تروریستی، نقض آشکار حاکمیت ملی و تمامیت سرزمینی لبنان و نقض فاحش تفاهم آتش‌بس بین ایران و آمریکا محسوب می‌شود و مسئولیت پیامدهای خطرناک آن بر عهده آمریکا و رژیم صهیونیستی خواهد بود. pic.twitter.com/qMFPTNF93U

— وزارت امور خارجه (@IRIMFA) June 14, 2026

Earlier today, Mohammad Mokhber, Khamenei adviser, vowed toretaliate against Israel's assault on Dahiyeh, warning that Tehran woulddeliver a lesson the attackers would regret.

The Israeli strike killed three people and injured 15others, according to Lebanese media. Israel said the operation targetedHezbollah infrastructure, while Trump argued the attack could have been avoidedat a time when Washington was close to reaching an agreement with Tehran.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran on Sunday vowed to retaliate against Israel's strike on Beirut's southern suburbs (Dahiye), with Mohammad Mokhber, senior adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warning that Tehran would deliver a "regretful lesson" to the attackers.

Mokhber accused the United States and Israel of pursuing a coordinated strategy of "appeasement and aggression," dismissing both American diplomacy and Israeli military action.

تقسیم نقش «تفاهم و تجاوز» میان آمریکا و رژیم اسرائیل، تکراری و غیر قابل پذیرش است.نه لبخند دیپلماتیک امریکایی قابل اعتماد است و نه توحش صهیونیستی قابل تحمل!در دفاع از لبنان با هیچ‌کس تعارف نداریم و به متجاوزان درس پشیمان کننده خواهیم داد.#ضاحیه

— محمد مخبر (@MokhberOfficial) June 14, 2026

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Israel would “never succeed” in isolating any front within the so-called Axis of Resistance, adding that the sacrifices of Lebanese fighters and Iran's diplomacy would safeguard Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Indications grew that Tehran is preparing a response to the Israeli attack. Earlier today, Iran's Fars News Agency reported that retaliation was "imminent." Meanwhile, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that flights had been suspended in western Iran until further notice, while flight-tracking data appeared to show largely empty skies over the country.

Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, however, denied issuing any new aviation notice imposing flight restrictions, according to Mehr News Agency.

Diplomatic efforts continued toward a US-Iran agreement to reduce regional tensions. Israeli media reported that Tehran could refrain from attacking Israel as a goodwill gesture toward US President Donald Trump in exchange for concessions under a prospective deal.

Trump told Fox News that he would ask Iran not to retaliate against Israel, arguing that the strike on Beirut could have been avoided as an agreement between Washington and Tehran appeared close.

According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, at least seven people were killed in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon today, bringing the cumulative death toll since March 2 to more than 3,783, with 11,699 others wounded.

Read more: Beirut’s southern suburb empties overnight: Stories of displacement under fire

Shafaq News- Beirut

At least seven people were killed in Israeli strikes across southernLebanon, the country's Health Ministry reported on Sunday, bringing thecumulative toll since March 2 to more than 3,783 dead and 11,699 wounded.

Lebanese media described air raids on the towns of Haris and Hadatha inthe Bint Jbeil district, as well as Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in the Tyre district,leaving three people dead.

Two others lost their lives in an Israeli attack on Majdal Selm, whileanother two were killed in bombardments targeting the outskirts of Sharqiya inthe Nabatiyeh district.

Israeli military operations continued throughout the day, with furtherhits recorded in Ansar, the outskirts of Kfarmelki, and the town of Mansouri.Air raids also targeted Kfarsir and Qsaibeh, while Israeli artillery poundedthe Ali al-Taher heights. No casualties were recorded in those incidents, althoughextensive damage was documented. Rescue and assessment efforts were ongoing atthe time of writing.

غارات على قرى في قضاء صور https://t.co/xX05WR6irc

— National News Agency (@NNALeb) June 14, 2026

Hezbollah, meanwhile, responded to ‘’repeated Israeli ceasefireviolations’’ by launching a swarm of drones at a concentration of Israelisoldiers and vehicles in Yohmar al-Shaqif, claiming “direct hits.” Hours later,another drone targeted a gathering of Israeli troops in the same area.

In separate statements, the group indicated that it had shelled anIsraeli troop concentration in Rashaf and carried out a drone assault on anIsraeli military position in the border town of Maroun al-Ras.

المقاومة الإسلامية تنشر: دفاعًا عن لبنان... وسمائه.#لبنان #الميادين pic.twitter.com/OHLMewggBP

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) June 14, 2026

Additional operations targeted Israeli forces stationed inside abuilding in Shamaa and concentrations of troops and military vehicles inNaqoura using attack drones. The group later disclosed confronting two IsraeliHermes 450 drones over the Iqlim al-Tuffah region with surface-to-air missiles,forcing them to withdraw.