LiveLive Updates June 18, 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 18, 2026Updates3 hours agoAIPAC raises “significant concerns” over U.S.-Iran deal, setting up clash with TrumpPro-Israel lobby group AIPAC said Thursday it has "significant concerns" regarding the emerging U.S.-Iran deal, citing what it described as "front-loaded concessions" to Iran and limits on Israeli action, among other issues.People attend the AIPAC conference in Washington, DC in 2019. Credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFPPeople attend the AIPAC conference in Washington, DC in 2019. Credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFPAIPAC urged U.S. lawmakers to "play a critical role in ensuring a final deal meets President Trump's stated objectives for the war," setting the stage for a potential clash with the Trump administration. According to the group, a final agreement must put a "permanent and verifiable" end to Iran's nuclear program and also address its missile and drone programs.4 hours agoU.S. Treasury sanctions Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese officials The United States has sanctioned Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese officials and business networks, the U.S. Treasury Department said Thursday. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the officials used their influence to "obstruct Lebanon's peace process and delay the disarmament" of Hezbollah. Expanding upon sanctions issued in March against Alaa Hassan Hamieh and his business network, OFAC said it was now targeting "interlocutors in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Oman who raise funds, execute contracts, and operate front companies," generating funds for Hezbollah. 4 hours agoU.S. committed to peace, Trump says, urges 'everyone in the Middle East' to allow talks to proceed The United States is committed to peace, U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday after Iran's ⁠Supreme Leader ‌Mojtaba Khamenei said he had authorised a ⁠memorandum of understanding signed by the ⁠Iranian and U.S. presidents. "We encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "We expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel," he added. Iran's Khamenei says he approved MOU with U.S., despite reservationsIran's ⁠Supreme Leader ‌Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday ‌he had authorised a ⁠memorandum of understanding signed by the ⁠Iranian and U.S. presidents, despite holding a different view, after receiving assurances from President Masoud Pezeshkian ‌and other senior officials that ‌Iran's rights and the interests of the "Resistance Front" would be safeguarded. A screenshot from the IRNA website, showing Iranian President Pezeshkian holding a signed copy of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. Credit: IRNA ScreenshotA screenshot from the IRNA website, showing Iranian President Pezeshkian holding a signed copy of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. Credit: IRNA ScreenshotIn a written message to the Iranian nation, Khamenei said Pezeshkian, in his capacity as head of the ⁠Supreme National Security Council, had accepted responsibility for ensuring the agreement ‌protected Iran's ⁠interests and pledged ‌not to yield if Washington made what he described as ⁠excessive demands.Khamenei added that future face-to-face negotiations with the United States would not mean ‌accepting "the enemy's position".5 hours agoU.S. lifts naval blockade on Iran but maintains naval presence in Gulf, CENTCOM says The United States has lifted its naval blockade on Iran following U.S. President Donald Trump's direction, U.S. Central Command said Thursday. According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces are no longer restricting vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports. "All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased," the military said, adding that U.S. naval ships remain in the region to ensure the agreement is adhered to. IDF says it intercepted rockets targeting Israeli troops in southern Lebanon The Israeli military said Thursday it intercepted rockets targeting Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon.According to a military statement, several rockets fell near Israeli troops. No wounded were reported.Residents of Israel's northern border communities said a large number of interceptors were launched from within Israeli territory. Footage reviewed by Haaretz showed multiple interceptors in the skies above Metula and Kiryat Shmona.6 hours agoVance says he expects Israel 'won't go wild in Lebanon' U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Thursday. Credit: Eric Lee/ReutersU.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Thursday. Credit: Eric Lee/ReutersU.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday the United States wants the Lebanese government to "police southern Lebanon so Hezbollah is not taking over the country."Speaking to reporters at the White House, Vance said the U.S. "expects the Israelis won't be going wild in Lebanon," adding that "both sides have to honor their end of the deal."He said the United States expects Lebanon to take on its role so "the Israelis are not threatened and then consequently the Israelis are not attacking southern Lebanon or Beirut either."Vance said U.S. President Donald Trump maintains Israel has a right to self-defense but added that they "have to respect this peace process. It's fundamentally good for them and for the entire region."The vice president also said Israel's strikes in Beirut were "not acceptable," noting that Trump's frustration is that "sometimes we seem to be on the cusp of a major breakthrough then there's a major explosion in a civilian population center in Beirut."The United States has asked Israel to closely coordinate with it, Vance said, "to ensure that doesn't happen."Earlier Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with his negotiation team ahead of talks with Israel in Washington next week, his office said. According to a statement, Aoun told his envoys to maintain Lebanon's position regarding a permanent cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces to the international border with Israel.7 hours agoBen-Gvir says U.S. should treat Iran as it did Nazis after Vance rebuke of Iran deal criticsIsraeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Thursday the United States should treat Iran as it did the "Nazis of the 20th century," responding to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's allies for rebuking a U.S.-Iran deal. This is the proposal, @JDVance: