Trump heads to Camp David as Iran talks stall US President Donald Trump will travel to Camp David this weekend, making only his second visit to the presidential retreat since returning to office last year. A White House official told Reuters that Trump will hold policy and political meetings during the trip. His family will also join him for the weekend, which includes Father’s Day on Sunday.
Iran denies inviting IAEA to inspect nuclear sites Iran has denied reports that it invited the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its nuclear facilities, saying any wider access will depend on the outcome of talks. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had made no such invitation to the United Nations nuclear watchdog. He said Iran would keep its nuclear programme under the current status quo while negotiations over a final agreement continue, in line with the memorandum of understanding reached with the US.
Norway moves to ban trade with Israeli settlements Norway says it plans to ban its citizens and businesses from trading in goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The government announced the move on Friday, in a step that would target economic activity linked to Israel’s settlement enterprise in occupied land.
US-Iran peace deal: Six things we learned from the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding Submitted by Daniel Tester on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 14:26 The deal - intended to end the war between Israel, the US and Iran, including opening the Strait of Hormuz - may still face issues US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately signed a deal on 17 June 2026 to end the war in the Middle East (AFP composite/X Emanuel Macron/IRINN) On Talks between the US and Iran on a final settlement to end the war have been postponed. Washington announced late on Thursday that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Switzerland for negotiations as the logistics had not been "simple or predictable". US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately signed a peace deal, called the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on Wednesday to end the war that has devastated the Middle East since late February.
How can Andy Burnham become prime minister and what comes next for Britain? Submitted by Imran Mulla on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 11:04 Former Greater Manchester mayor's victory in the Makerfield by-election could have monumental consequences for the country New Labour MP for Makerfield Andy Burnham speaks to supporters and members of the media on the morning after his by-election victory, 19 June 2026 (AFP) Off Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, has become MP for Makerfield and is now the frontrunner to become Britain's next prime minister. His seismic victory in the northern seat in the early hours of Friday will have major consequences for the country.
Iran told negotiations with US hinge on comprehensive ceasefire: Hezbollah official Iran had informed Hezbollah that talks with the United States could not continue without the implementation of a comprehensive ceasefire, the Hezbollah member of parliament Hassan Fadlallah said on Friday. Fadlallah called on the Lebanese government to reject any direct negotiations with Israel while Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue. He added that Washington bears the responsibility for ensuring Israel halts its attacks and implements the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Vance tells Israel Trump is ‘your only ally’ left as Iran talks postponed Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 10:15 US vice president hits back at Israeli criticism of the agreement reached with Iran to end the war US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on 18 June 2026 (Ken Cedeno/AFP) Off US Vice President JD Vance has warned Israel that President Donald Trump is its only friend left in the world as he batted away criticism of the Iran deal. Speaking at a White House press briefing about the reported $300bn reconstruction fund included in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Iran to end the months-long war, Vance said Israeli government ministers needed to think twice before attacking the deal. “My message to them would be twofold.
Egypt's foreign minister hosting Pakistani, Saudi and Turkish counterparts on Sunday Egypt's foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, is set to host his counterparts from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in the country's el-Alamein on Sunday. The ministry said that Abdelatty "will hold a quadrilateral meeting on Sunday with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, followed by an expanded session of talks and a joint press conference". The ministry has not yet specified what the discussions will revolve around.
Switzerland says US-Iran talks set for Friday cancelled Expected US-Iran talks on Friday at the Burgenstock mountaintop resort in Switzerland will not take place, the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement.
Macron criticises Israeli policy in Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "show a sense of responsibility" amid increased military action in the region. The French president told broadcaster France 2 that Tel Aviv's military strategy in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank "runs contrary to Israel's own interests" in the long-run. ❝I think that today Prime Minister Netanyahu does not have a policy❞ French President Macron voices support for Israel's security while criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying 'security cannot be ensured through the conquest of a neighboring territory' pic.
Vance says Israel has to 'respect' peace process like everybody else US Vice President JD Vance criticised Israeli cabinet members in a press briefing on Thursday, in a departure from his usual stance on Israel. "The Israelis, like everybody else, have to respect this peace process," Vance said. "That is fundamentally good for them and good for the entire region.
Vance postpones trip for US-Iran talks on Friday in Switzerland The White House indicated that US Vice President JD Vance has postponed a trip scheduled on Friday to Switzerland, where US and Iran were set to discuss the next steps for ending the war. "The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight," a White House spokesperson said.
US-Iran agreement: What does the MoU actually include? The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding this week, agreeing to a ceasefire after two months of negotiations and over three months of conflict - but no binding treaty exists yet, and the critical details around nuclear dismantlement timelines and sanctions relief still need to be worked out. What did they actually agree on?
Iranian negotiators delay Switzerland talks trip after Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon The Iranian negotiation delegation has delayed its departure for talks in Switzerland due to Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, according to a report by Al Mayadeen network. The team was scheduled to hold initial talks with US officials on Friday to discuss implementing a newly signed ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar are also slated to take part in the meeting.
Iran supreme leader says direct talks with US do 'not mean accepting its views' Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday that future talks with the United States would be held directly, but that did not mean "accepting its views". “It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy's point of view,” Khamenei said in a message read on state television, his first reaction to the Iran-US deal ending the war that broke out late February.
Exclusive: ICC member states to vote on Karim Khan probe in New York on 24 July Submitted by Sondos Asem on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 16:52 Two-thirds of the 125 members of the court need to vote on whether the prosecutor is guilty of misconduct In this file photo, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan greets people as he arrives for a UN Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters on 13 July 2023 in New York City (AFP) Off Member states of the International Criminal Court are due to convene in New York on 24 July for a consequential vote on the disciplinary proceedings involving Prosecutor Karim Khan, Middle East Eye can reveal. Multiple diplomatic sources have confirmed that the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the governing body of the court, decided on Wednesday the date and place of the special session to allow the 125 members of the ICC to vote on misconduct allegations facing the prosecutor. The bureau, a political body, suspended Khan on 8 June by a qualified majority after disregarding a judicial panel's opinion that found no evidence of misconduct against him.
US-Iran 60-day negotiating period begins Thursday, VP Vance says The 60-day period for negotiations between the United States and Iran begins on Thursday, but the agreement between the two sides took effect the day before, Vice President JD Vance said. "I would say the 60-day period officially started today," Vance told journalists, adding that "the deal started yesterday".
Makerfield by-election: This may finally be the end for Starmer Submitted by Peter Oborne on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 16:38 If Labour candidate Andy Burnham is victorious, the party could begin a much-needed process of renewal Supporters hold placards promoting Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election campaign in northwest England, on 22 May 2026 (Paul Ellis/AFP) Off British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will have mixed feelings as he awaits the result of today’s Makerfield by-election . As Labour leader, he will celebrate if his party wins. As prime minister, his survival depends on Labour losing.
Vance says Israel needs to respect the peace process with Iran US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said Israel will have to respect the peace process with Iran, which he said was good for them, adding that attacks in Beirut that kill civilians were "not acceptable. " Vance also said that he may go to Switzerland 'this weekend' for Iran talks.
US-Iran deal leaves Israel isolated and Netanyahu exposed Submitted by Meron Rapoport on Thu, 06/18/2026 - 13:15 The deal could weaken Israel's regional influence and accelerate the political decline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves the podium after addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2023 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images via AFP) Off Israelis are viewing the emerging US - Iran deal as more than just a diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran. For many in the country's political and military elite, the agreement to end the war represents a strategic turning point that could weaken Israel's regional influence, strain its most important alliance and accelerate the political decline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Although an agreement between the US and Iran had been widely anticipated since April, Pakistan's announcement on Sunday that a deal had been reached sent shockwaves through the country.
