A former US top counterterrorism official says the survival of the Iran-US MoU hinges on restraining Israel and focusing on stability in the region.

The agreement does not address all the fundamental issues at play, but rather creates a framework for future negotiations on Irans nuclear programme, which could yet derail the diplomatic process. Furthermore, it is an open question as to whether the deal can withstand Israeli efforts to torpedo the prospects for peace by continuing its war of aggression in Lebanon

US used Musks Grok AI to deploy 2,000 munitions during war on Iran US forces employed Elon Musks Grok AI to strike over 2,000 targets in 96 hours during the joint US-Israel war on Iran, according to a written declaration from the US Department of Defenses digital and artificial intelligence chief, Cameron Stanley

US used Musks Grok AI to deploy 2,000 munitions during Iran war Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 06/17/2026 - 21:33 A Trump administration official reveals in written testimony the US used the trillionaire's AI during the Iran war to strike 2,000 targets Photograph shows screens displaying the logo of Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, an American company specialising in artificial intelligence, and its founder, South African businessman Elon Musk, on 13 January 2025 in Toulouse, France (Lionel Bonaventure/AFP) Off US forces employed Elon Musks Grok AI to strike over 2,000 targets in 96 hours during the joint US - Israel war on Iran , according to a written declaration from the US Department of Defenses digital and artificial intelligence chief, Cameron Stanley

Analysis: Turkey emerges unscathed from the Iran war When US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran in late February, Turkish officials found themselves sidelined. Their repeated attempts to prevent the war proved unsuccessful, and the mood in Ankara was that Trump preferred the counsel of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over that of Turkish leaders

"We congratulate the Iranian people, the resistance and the countries and peoples of the region and the world who yearn for independence and freedom on this great victory," Qassem said in a televised address. He expressed thanks toIranfor "linking the Lebanese arena" to the deal and "forcing Israel to stop its aggression" on the country.

Trump says Netanyahu could use 'softer touch' in Lebanon US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could use a "softer touch" in Lebanon, in comments madeat the close of a G7 Summit in France

Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The US-Iran agreement faced its first major test as Iran warned of retaliation over continued Israeli operations in Lebanon and President Donald Trump publicly criticised Israel's conduct

Pezeshkian says Iran will not accept humiliation as talks approach Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country would not accept humiliation and had learned from the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, to preserve its dignity in the face of external pressure. In a post on X, Pezeshkian said Iran had prepared itself for all possible scenarios as diplomatic efforts continued following the latest confrontation with the United States and Israel

Trump expressed broader frustration with Israel's war on Lebanon, saying it has gone on "too long" and killed "too many people."

Gaza death toll rises above 73,000 as bodies continue to be recovered The death toll from Israel's genocide in Gaza has risen to 73,008, with a further 173,260 people wounded since October 2023, according to medical sources cited by the Palestinian news agency Wafa

Nor does it mention Irans conventional military forces, like its ballistic missile arsenal, which Trump entered the war calling a threat to the US. The memorandum also says that the ceasefire includes all fronts, including in Lebanon, reaffirming a key Iranian demand that is sure to anger US ally Israel

Nor does it mention Irans conventional military forces, like its ballistic missile arsenal, which Trump entered the war calling a threat to the US. The memorandum also says that the ceasefire includes all fronts, including in Lebanon, reaffirming a key Iranian demand that is sure to anger US ally Israel

Netanyahu yet to see US-Iran agreement as questions grow over Lebanon provisions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not seen the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran as of Tuesday evening, according to a person familiar with the matter cited by the Associated Press

The decline extends losses seen earlier in the day, when oil prices had already fallen by more than two percent. Both benchmarks had been trading between $65 and $70 a barrel before the US and Israel launched their war on Iran on 28 February, with concerns over regional instability and potential supply disruptions having pushed prices higher in the months since.

Trump suggests Syria could take on Hezbollah US President Donald Trump has suggested that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa could play a role in confronting Hezbollah, arguing that Israel's military campaign has come at too high a human cost

'From outlier to trailblazer': How Oman offers a glimpse into the post-war Gulf Submitted by Sean Mathews on Tue, 06/16/2026 - 13:11 Despite Trump's threats, Oman has reaped financial gains from the US-Israeli war on Iran, with Muscat's neighbours racing to catch up Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, right, receives Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, left, during a reception at al-Alam Royal Palace in Muscat, Oman, on 27 May 2025 (Iranian presidential office/AFP) Off US President Donald Trump threatened to attack just one Arab Gulf country during the war on Iran : Oman

US president also made unusually critical comments about Israel's military offensive in Lebanon.

Any attack on Lebanon is violation of agreement with US: Iranian foreign minister Any Israeli attack on Lebanon or continued presence on Lebanese territory from now on constitutes a violation of the interim agreement with the United States , Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said

Hezbollah calls for unity as region reacts to US-Iran agreement Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed hope that the US-Iranian agreement would help bring an end to the war, pledging to intensify efforts in negotiations with Washington to secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the release of prisoners

Pezeshkian says 12-day war 'symbol of national solidarity' Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the 12-day war with Israel last year had become a symbol of national solidarity, praising what he described as the unity and resilience of the Iranian people

NYT: Irans leadership became more risk-tolerant after conflict A report published by The New York Times argues that the military campaign waged by the United States and Israel against Iran failed to achieve its stated strategic objectives and instead produced a more resilient and hardline Iranian state

Iranian diplomat says country emerged stronger after war Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the country had emerged stronger, more aware, determined than before following last year's conflict with the United States and Israel

Gold has been under pressure since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February.

Quartet convicted on criminal damage and GBH charges, but judge insists raid on Israel arms company was 'terrorist act'.

Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Momentum towards a US-Iran agreement accelerated overnight after President Donald Trump said he cancelled planned strikes on Iran and declared the war effectively over. Tehran acknowledged progress in negotiations but stressed that no final agreement has yet been reached, while Israeli operations in Lebanon continued despite growing diplomatic efforts across the region