US Iran deal highlights: CENTCOM confirms lifting Iran naval blockade; Trump says he expects Lebanon truce

US Iran war highlights: US President Donald Trump said in an apparent message to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyau that Washington expects a complete ceasefire on all fronts, “including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.”

US Iran deal highlights: In this first remarks since the US-Iran peace deal was signed virtually on Wednesday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that Israel will not withdraw its troops out of southern Lebanon, despite it being a stern point from Iran to sign the deal. “We will restore security to the north. This requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon, and it requires that we not leave it as long as Israel’s security needs demand it," Netanyahu was quoted as saying in a Times of Israel report.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes killed three people in Lebanon on Thursday in two separate incidents. According to Lebanese state media National News Agency, the first attack took place in the town of Kfar Tebnit, where a car with two people was targeted by a drone. In a separate attack, a man was killed in a drone strike in the southern town of Zebdin, according to NNA.

Negotiating period officially begins, says JD Vance

US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said the 60-day negotiating period with Iran has official begun. “I would say the 60-day period officially started today. It was signed late, and it may have even been signed technically, you know, because of the time shift, I think it’s signed technically today, Iran time.”

He further said that he is “not at all” worried about being blamed if the deal with Iran falls, after US President Donald Trump joked that he’d blame his vice president if it falls apart.

“No, not at all,” he responded when asked during a White House press briefing if that prospect concerned him.

US removes blockade on Iranian ports

US Central Command on Thursday said it has lifted its blockade on “all maritime traffic entering and exiting” Iranian ports.

“ All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased. Our great Naval Ships will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect.”

Vance during a press briefing in White House said that the US Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war.

Initial talks in Switzerland

The Swiss government has confirmed that initial talks between the United States and Iran are planned at the Buergenstock mountaintop resort in Switzerland on Friday, June 19. This comes after the two countries signed an interim peace deal to end months of war.

“As things stand, the plan is still for the U.S. and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other involved countries, to meet tomorrow at Buergenstock for initial negotiations about implementing the agreement,” Swiss foreign ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"No further information is currently available regarding the schedule and details of this meeting," it added.

Pakistan PM says Hormuz will be opened

Leaders of Iran and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding, an interim document to end the Middle East war, mediator Pakistan has confirmed. 'It shall enter into force with immediate effect", Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

Following the signing of the interim deal, Sharif said that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the US would lift the naval blockade.

Sharif said Pakistan and co-mediator Qatar will still host an official signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland. His statement came shortly after Trump said he’d signed the agreement during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles.

Trump says Iran would have used nuclear weapons

Trump claimed that Iran was all prepared to use nuclear weapons, but the US stopped it. "Iran would have 100% used a nuclear weapon, they were on the way; We went in to put out the fire," Trump said on the sidelines of G7 summit in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron shared first visuals of US President Donald Trump signing the MoU to end Iran war during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles in Paris. “This agreement paves the way for lasting peace and allows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. It is an important step in the right direction for our compatriots that will soon enable a decrease in energy prices,” Macron wrote on X.

What is inside the agreement?

The agreement calls for Tehran to, at a minimum, dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and would waive but not permanently end sanctions on the country, the Associated Press reported, citing US officials.

The agreement would also open the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for two months and affirm a commitment to Lebanon’s territorial integrity in the face of Israel’s invasion against the Hezbollah militant group.