June 15, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJune 15, 2026UpdatesTop EU official says Iran must fundamentally change its behaviour before any EU sanctions can be lifted‌Iran must fundamentally change ‌its behaviour before any ⁠EU sanctions can be ⁠lifted, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Monday. Credit: Vadim Ghirda,AP European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Monday. Credit: Vadim Ghirda,AP "The principle of ‌sanctions is that ‌we need real change on the ground before we can think about lifting them. Sanctions are in place to change behaviour. ⁠So if behaviour is changing credibly and verifiably, ‌then ⁠you can lift ‌sanctions", she said, speaking at a press conference ⁠in Evian, France, ahead of the G7 summit.Two killed in Israeli drone strike in northern Gaza City, reports sayTwo people were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a building in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of northern Gaza City, reports said.According to Al-Shifa Hospital, a nurse and his underage son were killed in the attack.Palestinians make their way past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive as displaced people shelter in tents, in Gaza City, Monday. Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/ REUTERSPalestinians make their way past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive as displaced people shelter in tents, in Gaza City, Monday. Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/ REUTERSRECAP: Hezbollah, Lebanese officials welcome Lebanon's inclusion in U.S.-Iran deal, warn displaced residents from returning southHere are Monday's latest updates:■ ⁠Lebanon is ‌an integral part ‌of the agreement to end the ⁠war with the United States, ⁠Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said, adding that the draft memorandum mentions Lebanon thrice as ‌it calls for an ‌end to war on all fronts, as well as the respect of its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.■ Lebanese President Joseph Aoun celebrated the inclusion of Lebanon in the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, saying it acknowledges that "Lebanon's stability and security are integral to any serious effort to establish stability in the region."■ Hezbollah welcomed the memorandum of ⁠understanding between the ⁠United States and Iran, saying it had resulted in a ‌comprehensive cease-fire across ‌all fronts, including Lebanon.■ A ‌Hezbollah official ‌told Reuters that ⁠the group has ⁠not carried out any operations since the Iran-U.S. deal was announced and ‌that its position on ‌the cease-fire was linked to Israel's adherence to it.■ The Lebanese Army warned displaced residents not to return to their homes in southern Lebanon in light of the ongoing risk of Israeli attacks and the presence of unexploded ordnance.■ Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his government "will redouble our efforts through the ongoing negotiations in Washington to ensure a full Israeli withdrawal from our territory and the release of our prisoners."■ Iran intends to charge ships for passage through the Strait of Hormuz after the 60-day memorandum of understanding period, the semi-official Fars agency reported.■ Ships loaded with oil have started to sail out of the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said.■Israel will have a seat at the table in the new Middle East, U.S. Vice President JD ‌Vance said, saying he believes there are elements in Israel who like the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.■ Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, where the Israeli minister thanked the East African leader for the "historic decision to open the Somaliland Embassy."Trump says ships loaded with oil have started to leave the Strait of HormuzShips loaded with oil have started to sail out of the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday. "They are going along the Southern 'Highway,' which is totally safe, secure, and pristine," the president wrote on social media.A drone view shows vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Monday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERSA drone view shows vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Monday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERSLebanese PM: Will redouble efforts in talks with U.S. to ensure full Israeli withdrawal from LebanonLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris, France, April. Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/ REUTERSLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris, France, April. Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/ REUTERSLebanon is talking to the United States to secure an Israeli withdrawal from its territory, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Monday."We will redouble our efforts through the ongoing negotiations in Washington to ensure a full Israeli withdrawal from our territory and the release of our prisoners," the prime minister said in a cabinet meeting.Salam also said that his government was working to return displaced Lebanese residents to their homes in southern Lebanon. "The government has mobilized all its resources in recent months to respond to the displacement crisis, and we look forward to our people being able to return safely and with dignity to their towns and villages as soon as possible," the prime minister said.2 hours agoU.S. Vice President Vance: Certainly Israel will have a seat at the table in the new Middle EastIsrael will have a seat at the table in the new Middle East, U.S. Vice President JD ‌Vance said on Monday, saying he believes there are elements in Israel who like the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.Vice President JD Vance in April. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/AP Vice President JD Vance in April. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/AP "When people see this deal – we hope to release the text this week – they're gonna realize this will make the whole region safer," Vance said in an interview on CNBC, referring to criticism of the deal voiced in Israeli media.The vice president also said that the United ‌States expects the Strait ⁠of Hormuz to ⁠be open toll-free in the long term. Iran's foreign minister and House speaker ⁠will represent Iran at the ‌signing in Switzerland ⁠on ‌Friday and many details of the ⁠deal are still to be sorted out.Hezbollah welcomes U.S.-Iran deal, says inclusion of Lebanon reflects Iran's commitment to halting the warHezbollah ‌on Monday ‌welcomed the memorandum of ⁠understanding between the ⁠United States and Iran, saying it had resulted in a ‌comprehensive ceasefire across ‌all fronts, including Lebanon.Hezbollah supporters wave their own and Iranian national flags during a gathering against the U.S.-Israeli military operation in Dahiyeh, Lebanon, Wednesday. Credit: Bilal Hussein,AP Hezbollah supporters wave their own and Iranian national flags during a gathering against the U.S.-Israeli military operation in Dahiyeh, Lebanon, Wednesday. Credit: Bilal Hussein,AP In a written statement, the Tehran-backed group warned Israel that it would not ⁠accept any attacks that violate Lebanon's ‌sovereignty ⁠or target ‌its people.It said Lebanon's inclusion in ⁠the agreement reflected Iran's commitment to ending ‌the war.Iran's Foreign Ministry: No deal will be sustainable without guarantees for Lebanon's security and territorial integrity⁠Lebanon is ‌an integral part ‌of the agreement to end the ⁠war with the U.S., ⁠Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that the draft memorandum mentions Lebanon thrice as ‌it calls for an ‌end to war on all fronts, as well as the respect of its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.A man flashes a victory sign as he rides a motorcycle past a banner that reads "Thank you Iran" following a deal between the U.S. and Iran, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday. Credit: Mohamed Azakir/ REUTERSA man flashes a victory sign as he rides a motorcycle past a banner that reads "Thank you Iran" following a deal between the U.S. and Iran, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday. Credit: Mohamed Azakir/ REUTERSEsmaeil Baqaei said diplomatic visits to regional countries are on ⁠the agenda for Tehran, before the signing of ‌the agreement due ⁠on Friday in ‌Geneva, Switzerland."Regarding the manner and mechanism of signing the memorandum ⁠of understanding, a final decision will be made today and tomorrow, and ‌its results will be officially announced," Baqaei added.Baqaei also said that the United States will commit to giving Iran access to its frozen funds, but will not give Tehran any money. The United States is obliged to deliver its commitments under the agreement, the spokesman said, and failure to do so will lead to reciprocal measures from Tehran.Moreover, Baqaei said that Tehran will take measures to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Oman and other countries, adding that this will be for a specific time and corresponding to the United States' own commitments.Hezbollah has not carried out operations since Iran-U.S. deal, Hezbollah official tells ReutersIsraeli and Lebanese flags are seen in an area near the border, backdropped by destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon as viewed from northern Israel, Monday. Credit: Leo Correa,AP Israeli and Lebanese flags are seen in an area near the border, backdropped by destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon as viewed from northern Israel, Monday. Credit: Leo Correa,AP A ‌Hezbollah official ‌told Reuters on Monday that ⁠the group has ⁠not carried out any operations since the Iran-U.S. deal was announced and ‌that its position on ‌the cease-fire was linked to Israel's adherence to it.The official, who declined to be named, added that Hezbollah rejects Israeli "freedom ⁠of movement" in Lebanon and said ‌Iran delayed signing ⁠the ‌deal with the U.S. to monitor Israel's adherence to ⁠the cease-fire in Lebanon.Hezbollah has not officially commented ‌on the U.S. agreement.Police working to restore traffic after ultra-Orthodox block road in protest of mandatory conscriptionThe police announced that they are working to restore traffic after ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked Gilat Intersection in central Israel in protest of mandatory military conscription. Credit: Police Spokespersons UnitPolice said they detained an individual who said he was not aware that he was wanted as a draft dodger; law enforcement asked drivers to avoid the area.On Thursday, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked several major interchanges in central Israel as part of escalating demonstrations against conscription and the arrest of draft dodgers.FM meets with Somaliland president in JerusalemForeign Minister Gideon Sa'ar is meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, where the Israeli minister thanked the East African leader for the "historic decision to open the Somaliland Embassy."Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar Credit: Shlomi Amsalem/GPOSomaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar Credit: Shlomi Amsalem/GPOIn Sa'ar's remarks, he referenced a secret meeting months before Israel's public recognition of Somaliland and the establishment of relations between the countries. "This is our second meeting in this room. We met here discreetly last October. Today, you are on a historic official visit as the President of Somaliland, six months after our relations were established, which continue to deepen and strengthen."In the NewsArchaeologists Uncover Rare Assyrian Artifact in Central IsraelThe Jewish Ku Klux Klan Has a Calculated Plan for the PalestiniansThe Daily Dump: Social Life in Ancient Roman LatrinesI Wore a T Shirt Against Ben-Gvir to Tel Aviv Pride. That Made Me DangerousPresident Trump, It's Time for Cyrus Accords Between Iran and IsraelRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMITrump Just Dropped a Megaton Bomb on Netanyahu's Re-election CampaignHumiliated by Trump on the Iran Front, Netanyahu May Set the Middle East AblazeThe Fake Gaza Charity Linked to the Anti-left Disinformation Campaign in FranceIran Reportedly Calls Off Missile Strikes on Israel After Trump IntervenesWhy Does the Jewish State Keep Deporting Diaspora Jews?Netanyahu's Middle East Doctrine Has Collapsed – and It's Costing Him Washington