The preliminary memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington to end the 70-day conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz has reshaped the regional balance, with consequences extending far beyond the battlefield.
A spy scandal, a plea deal, and maybe no jail: Boltons latest escape act shows how Washington protects its most connected failures So let me get this straight. Top Iran critic, former Trump National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has successfully cut a deal on spying-related charges with the US government for $2.
Washington DC [US], June 27 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (local time) announced a US-mediated framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon aimed at achieving 'lasting peace and security'. The deal calls for a ceasefire, contingent on Hezbollah ending all fire and withdrawing from southern Lebanon.
Lebanon president says Israel deal first step to restoring sovereignty Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a deal signed with Israel on Friday was a first step towards fully restoring his country's sovereignty after Israel's latest war on Lebanon. "The framework agreement signed today is a first step" that will enable Lebanese to return "to their fully liberated lands, and to their certainly rebuilt homes... under the sovereignty of the Lebanese state that has no partner in its sovereignty over its land and people," Aoun said according to a statement released by his office.
Pro-Israel rabbis demand Mamdani apologise for likening Aipac to 'monsters' Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 17:52 The New York City mayor said he was quoting the Marxist philosopher Gramsci to describe the 'status quo' in Palestine Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a rally with immigration advocates in New York City on 25 June 2026 (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) Off More than 700 pro-Israel rabbis have signed onto an open letter published on Friday calling on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to retract his comments likening the pro-Israel lobbying group Aipac to "monsters". The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is among the most powerful advocacy groups working on foreign policy in the US , spending millions to oust political candidates who are critical of Israel. The letter was organised by the relatively new advocacy group The Jewish Majority , founded by an Aipac veteran of nearly two decades, Jonathan Schulman .
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], June 26 (ANI): As Tehran and Washington continue with their engagements following the signing of the MoU earlier this month, sources have told Al Arabiya that the two are set to hold the next round of negotiations in Switzerland on June 28 and 29.
Israel and Lebanon expected to sign framework agreement in Washington, report says Israel and Lebanon are expected to sign a framework agreement in Washington on Friday, Reuters reported, citing senior Israeli officials. The Israeli officials did not immediately provide further details.
Yerevan may gain trade and access, but its outreach to Ankara risks pulling the South Caucasus into a deeper East-West clash The normalization of Armenia-Türkiye relations has become one of the central political processes in the South Caucasus.
The debate over Iran's potential agreement with the United States has spilled beyond the country's political class and into the religious establishments and street gatherings that have long served as the Islamic republic's most loyal base of support.
Tehran [Iran], June 26 (ANI): Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy on Friday said that transit through the strategic Strait of Hormuz would only be permitted through routes approved by Tehran, despite the IRGC establishing a 'communication line' with the US Central Command (CENTCOM)
Tehran [Iran], June 26 (ANI): Moments after the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers jointly called for curbing Tehran's nuclear programme, Iran on Friday slammed the two sides, describing the remarks as 'interventionist, irresponsible and provocative'.
Tokyo [Japan], June 26 (ANI): Despite Iran's repeated denial of inspection of its nuclear sites as per the said agreement with the US, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi on Friday expressed hope that the UN nuclear watchdog would soon be able to resume in
Washington DC [US], June 26 (ANI): US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the US and Iran have agreed to set up a direct deconfliction channel with military representatives from both countries, reported Al Jazeera. The arrangement involves representatives from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the US Army's Central Command (CENTCOM) being stationed in Doha, Qatar.
Pretoria maintains relations with China, Russia, and Iran in pursuit of national interests and constructive global engagement, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended Pretoria's non-aligned foreign policy during questions in Parliament. Tension with US persists over relations with China, Russia, and Iran, as well as trade.
UAE and Iranian foreign ministers discuss Hormuz and MOU UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke over the phone on Friday with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Emirati state media has reported. The Emirati minister stressed to Araghchi the importance of protecting maritime corridors and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran had said it must control shipping going through the crucial chokehold. Al-Nahyan said every part of the MOU signed between Iran and the US must be adhered to, and said that diplomacy and dialogue were the best way to solve regional difficulties, Emirati state media reported.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser on international affairs to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, lashed out at the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council for its recent joint statement with the US against Iran, emphasizing Tehran’s key role in regional maritime stability.
Moscow [Russia], June 26 (ANI): The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed its assent in approving the resolution on the final US-Iran deal at the United Nations Security Council, noting that Moscow would take part in the process once final agreements between Washington and Tehran are reached.
Infantino’s Middle East playbook: How Fifa boss uses geopolitics on the World Cup stage Submitted by Daniel Tester on Thu, 06/25/2026 - 11:32 The soccer supremo has been criticised for interfering in the award of tournaments to Morocco and Saudi Arabia, as well as not banning Israel from international competition Fifa President Gianni Infantino speaks during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 28 October 2025 (AFP) Off Football’s biggest World Cup is under way in the US , Mexico and Canada , as 48 teams battle through 104 matches to decide sports’ most prestigious title. At the centre of the six-week event is the Swiss-Italian Gianni Infantino , head of Fifa and a multi-billion dollar commercial and sporting empire that is rivalled only by the Olympics. Infantino has long insisted that “politics should stay out of football and football should stay out of politics".
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian deputy foreign minister warned that maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed without coordination with Iran as the coastal state, stressing that parallel arrangements or external decision-making frameworks are not valid.
America's 'independence' celebrates 250 years of jingoism and genocide Submitted by Joseph Massad on Thu, 06/25/2026 - 12:49 The myth of US freedom, retold by nationalist historians, politicians and corporate media, erases the slavery, dispossession and white supremacy on which the republic was built A view of the "UFC Freedom 250" event hosted by US President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on 15 June 2026 (Saul Loeb/Pool via Reuters) On American jingoism remains the ruling ideology of the United States , on the right as well as the left and centre. The upcoming 250th anniversary of independence, which the country will celebrate on 4 July 2026, is yet another occasion to express America's ultranationalism and rewrite the country's sordid history of oppression and genocide as a story of "freedom". President Donald Trump , the hero of white supremacists and conservatives, has declared that "With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history.
