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, 2026UpdatesOver 40 countries pledge support for France-led military mission in Strait of HormuzFrench President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for a rapid launch of an international military mission in the Strait of Hormuz after Washington and Tehran reached an agreement to end the war in Iran.French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Monday. Credit: Thibault Camus,AP French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Monday. Credit: Thibault Camus,AP During an interview with French broadcaster TF1 on Monday, Macron said: "We will first do everything to ensure that this agreement enters into force and that the Strait of Hormuz is peacefully reopened and shipping can resume.""We are on the ground," he said. "We are ready to act very quickly."France could deploy its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, frigates, minesweepers and aircraft in the region "within the next two to three days after confirmation," Macron said. "So together with the Americans and in parallel with the Iranians, we will ensure that this deployment takes place so that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is peaceful and lasting."A naval mission led by France and the United Kingdom has long been planned and prepared and is due to begin once the fighting officially ends. The aim is to clear mines in the strait and escort merchant ships to ensure safe passage.More than 40 countries have pledged their support, including Germany.With a possible deployment in mind, France had previously moved the Charles de Gaulle and accompanying ships close to the Strait of Hormuz.Other countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands are also already present in the region, Macron added.RECAP: Four killed, including child, in Israeli drone strikes in Gaza City, southern Lebanon, reports sayHere are Monday's latest updates:■ A nurse and his underage son were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a building in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of northern Gaza City, according to Al-Shifa Hospital.■ A driver was killed in an Israeli drone strike on a car in southern Lebanon, Lebanese ‌security sources and ‌state media reported. It was the first ⁠reported deadly Israeli attack ‌in Lebanon ⁠since ‌the announcement of the U.S.-Iran ⁠agreement.■ A U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect pending completion of a cease-fire agreement with Iran scheduled for June 19, the U.S. military said in an advisory note.■ Iran must fundamentally change ‌its behaviour before any ⁠EU sanctions can be ⁠lifted, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.■ No consensus was reached by EU foreign ministers on imposing sanctions against Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said.■ The U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is set to be signed on Friday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said, the semi-official Mehr agency reported.■ The U.S.-Iran agreement could pave the way to stabilizing the global economy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, adding that the agreement must also hold in Lebanon.■ The Iran-U.S. agreement is a "timely win for diplomacy and common sense," Oman's foreign minister said, with Bahrain's Foreign Ministry also welcoming the announced memorandum of understanding.Driver killed in first lethal Israeli attack in Lebanon since U.S.-Iran deal announcedAn Israeli ‌drone strike targeted ⁠a ⁠car in southern Lebanon, killing its driver, Lebanese ‌security sources and ‌state media reported on Monday.A street in Sidon, Lebanon, on Monday. Credit: AFPA street in Sidon, Lebanon, on Monday. Credit: AFPThe strike was the first ⁠reported deadly Israeli attack ‌in Lebanon ⁠since ‌the announcement of the U.S.-Iran ⁠agreement.U.S.-Iran deal to be signed Friday, Iranian president saysThe U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is set to be signed on Friday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday, the semi-official Mehr agency reported.Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Iran, May. Credit: AFP PHOTO / HO / IRANIAN PRESIDENCYIran's President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Iran, May. Credit: AFP PHOTO / HO / IRANIAN PRESIDENCYSpeaking at a conference attended by local politicians from the country, the Iranian president also said that no anti-regime protests took place during the war, thanks to actions taken by local leaders.3 hours agoEU's top diplomat says no consensus reached on sanctions against Ben-GvirEuropean Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Paris, France, Friday. Credit: Thibault Camus,AP European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Paris, France, Friday. Credit: Thibault Camus,AP No consensus was reached by EU foreign ministers on imposing sanctions against Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the European Union's top diplomat said on Monday.Kaja Kallas also said that EU ministers agreed that Lebanon must be covered by the U.S-Iran cease-fire deal.Czech Foreign Minister Peter Macinka recently said his country would not support the imposition of sanctions.The foreign ministers' meeting to discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions on Ben-Gvir was part of a move spearheaded by Italy in response to the far-right minister's video last month showing him taunting detained participants of an intercepted Gaza-bound flotilla.Top 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. 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