LiveLive Updates June 17, 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 17, 2026UpdatesVerification is key in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, Saudi foreign minister saysThe most important issue in imminent nuclear talks between Iran and the United States is how Iran's nuclear programme will be policed, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Wednesday."The detail will matter," Prince Faisal said of the talks, speaking at a conference in Vienna hosted by Brussels-based think-tank the European Council on Foreign Relations. He declined to comment on the detail of the MOU because he had not yet seen the final version."It will be most important to see the verification mechanisms that are (put) in place beyond the actual commitments on (uranium) enrichment, the actual commitment on the removal or downblending of nuclear materials," he said of the talks."How we will have a long-term, sustainable verification regime is what will matter the most, and that is what will give the international community but also the regional countries the most confidence and the ability to look towards a better future," the prince added.RECAP: Trump says Iran cease-fire 'beginning of a much larger deal across the Middle East'Here are Wednesday's latest updates from the U.S.-Iran peace process and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ Iran's official news agency said the country will not produce or acquire nuclear weapons as it released the text of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.■ U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States will allow Iran to have "some" ballistic missiles under the agreement scheduled to be signed officially in the coming days. He explained the decision, saying, "What am I going to do? Am I going to let Saudi Arabia have missiles but they can't have them?"■ Five Israeli soldiers were wounded by an explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the IDF announced, one of whom is in serious condition.■ Settlers set fire to agricultural land in the village of Beit Amrin near the West Bank's Nablus, according to Palestinian reports.■ Thousands of Hasidic ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protested outside Military Prison 10 in central Israel following the arrest of a yeshiva student who was designated as a draft dodger; this is the first demonstration of its kind by the Hasidic sect.■ The police announced that they are suspending a police officer who kicked a Haredi protester in the face as he lay on the ground at a protest against mandatory conscription in central Israel's Bnei Brak on Wednesday morning.■ The Gaza Health Ministry announced that two people were killed, five wounded in IDF strikes in the past 24 hours.Iran's official news agency says country will not produce or acquire nuclear weaponsIran's official news agency said the country will not produce or acquire nuclear weapons as it released the text of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.IRNA added that the U.S. will start lifting the naval blockade on Iran immediately after the memorandum is signed, and the blockade will end completely within 30 days.4 hours agoPolice suspend officer who kicked Haredi protester in the face as he lay on the groundThe police announced that they are suspending a police officer who kicked a Haredi protester in the face as he lay on the ground at a protest against mandatory conscription in central Israel's Bnei Brak on Wednesday morning."There were senior commanders at the protest, and my expectation was for them to control the event," the police chief said in a statement. "If, after examining the videos from the protest at the Bnei Brak intersection, we learn that commanders and police officers acted contrary to procedures, we will not hesitate to take action and suspend them from operational activity."4 hours agoJD Vance: Democrats have become antisemitic, anti-Christian and anti-whiteVice President JD Vance said at an event in Long Island, New York, that the "Democrats have become antisemitic, anti-Christian and anti-white. But the thing about the Republican Party is that whether you're black or white, a Jew or Christian or a person of no faith – if you work hard, play by the rules and love this country, you are welcome on our team."Vice President JD Vance speaks in New York on Wednesday. Credit: Matt Rourke/AP Vice President JD Vance speaks in New York on Wednesday. Credit: Matt Rourke/AP 4 hours agoU.S. Senator Lindsey Graham: U.S.-Iran deal 'essential step' to expansion of Abraham AccordsSouth Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top allies in the United States, said that the U.S.-Iran cease-fire deal is an "essential step" to the expansion of the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations between Arabia and Israel.He added that this is the "ultimate goal" of President Donald Trump. "I think that is best achieved by creating economic stability for the United States, the region and the world, as well as the cessation of hostilities. The signing of the memorandum of understanding is an essential step to make that happen and thus it is worthwhile.""Whether or not the United States can reach an acceptable, verifiable deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program and other issues is yet to be determined, but I see little downside to trying," Graham said. "The economic stability that comes from opening up the strait and the cessation of hostilities could create a pathway to peace well beyond the Iranian conflict."IDF says it launched interceptor at aerial target in southern Lebanon near Israeli troops, no casualties reportedThe IDF said it launched an interceptor at an aerial target in southern Lebanon operating near Israeli troops; no casualties were reported.The army later added that it intercepted several rockets launched toward Israeli forces.A woman looks at smoke rising in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel on Wednesday. Credit: Shir Torem/ReutersA woman looks at smoke rising in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel on Wednesday. Credit: Shir Torem/ReutersTrump: U.S. will 'bomb the hell' out of Iran if they violate cease-fire agreementU.S. President Donald Trump said that he will "bomb the hell" out of Iran if they violate the cease-fire agreement, adding, "I was going to bomb them on Thursday."U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the G7 summit on Wednesday. Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the G7 summit on Wednesday. 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