LiveLive Updates June 23, 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 23, 2026Updates36 minutes agoTrump says Iran has agreed to highest level of nuclear inspections despite Iranian denialU.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday Iran has agreed to the "highest level" of nuclear inspections. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the inspections would last "long into the future (Infinity!!!)" and would ensure "Nuclear Honesty."According to Iran's Geneva envoy, negotiators did not discuss allowing IAEA inspectors into Iran, adding that it is a matter to be negotiated once parts of the MOU are fully implemented.The president said he has allowed the Strait of Hormuz to remain open for traffic, adding that "all ships are remaining in place should it be necessary to reinstitute the Blockade, which seems, at this point, highly unlikely."Trump also said that funds from Iranian assets released as part of the U.S.-Iran peace talks would be used to purchase "food and medical supplies, exclusively from the United States, including Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans from our great American Farmers." Responding to Trump's claims that the funds would be used to purchase American products, Abdolnaser Hemmati, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, told Iran's Tasnim news agency earlier Tuesday that "if the price and quality of American inputs are more suitable compared to other countries, we have no obstacle to purchasing from that country."RECAP: Iran warns of challenges to peace talks as Israeli gunfire kills two in LebanonHere are Tuesday's latest updates from Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and the Middle East: ■ Israeli gunfire killed two ‌people in southern Lebanon, Lebanon's Civil Defense ‌and state media said, the first reported fatalities resulting from ⁠Israeli fire in Lebanon in three days.■ Iran's envoy in Geneva told reporters that any violation of the memorandum of understanding in Lebanon would create challenges for peace talks.■ Technical talks between the U.S., Iran and mediators concluded successfully overnight into Tuesday, Iran's deputy foreign minister said.■ U.S.-Iran talks hit an early point of contention after Iran rejected a U.S. claim that it had agreed to allow IAEA inspectors back into the country. ■ Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urged Israel to continue its campaign in Lebanon.3 hours agoTwo people killed by Israeli gunfire in southern Lebanon, civil defense saysIsraeli gunfire killed two ‌people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanon's Civil Defense ‌and state media said, the first reported fatalities resulting from ⁠Israeli fire in Lebanon in three days. The rubble of a collapsed building is pictured following Israeli bombardment, in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Sunday. Credit: Mahmoud Zayyat/AFPThe rubble of a collapsed building is pictured following Israeli bombardment, in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Sunday. Credit: Mahmoud Zayyat/AFPA cease-fire between Iran-backed ⁠Hezbollah and Israeli forces in southern Lebanon has largely held since Sunday, the longest lull yet in the war that spilled over from the conflict between the United States and Iran.Israeli soldiers ‌opened fire at a group of people near a bulldozer clearing ‌a road in the al-Deir neighbourhood of Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon, Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported.The Israeli military said it "struck armed terrorists who posed an immediate threat" to soldiers in the Ali al-Taher ridge area of the south, within ‌an area of south Lebanon where Israeli forces have declared a "security zone".The military released an image that it said showed one of two armed individuals it had identified.Hezbollah ‌said Israeli forces opened ⁠fire on ⁠civilians and that the incident ‌was a ‌violation of a cease-fire agreement between the two sides.The Iran-backed Lebanese group condemned ⁠the shooting, which it said had ‌killed ⁠two people ‌and injured others, but did ⁠not say whether it would take retaliatory ‌action.Iran insisted Israel cease fire in Lebanon as part of an interim agreement with the United States signed last week. Asked about the latest incident, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, told reporters that any violation of the memorandum of understanding in Lebanon would create challenges for peace talks."Lebanon is an unquestionable part of the agreement, and whatever happens in Lebanon affects the whole process, and it is the United States which should use all its leverage against Israel to make it to stop attacks against Lebanon," he said.In a separate incident, Hezbollah's Al Manar outlet reported Israeli forces opened fire on residents in the town of Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district, who were en route to a local cemetery for a burial and were accompanied by the Lebanese army.Iranian ambassador to UN reports good progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks Iran's ambassador to ⁠the United Nations in ⁠Geneva on Tuesday reported good progress in negotiations between the United States ‌and Iran ‌during peace deal talks in Switzerland."Our colleagues continue to discuss in very good talks yesterday at technical level," said ⁠Ali Bahreini, adding that two working groups ‌will ⁠be established ‌within the coming days to discuss the removal ⁠of sanctions against Iran, and issues related to ‌Iranian nuclear activities.Iran won't allow inspectors to visit nuclear sites targeted in conflict, spokesman says Iran won't allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to nuclear sites targeted during the war, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tuesday.On Monday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Tehran had agreed to allow IAEA inspectors back into the country, calling it a "major milestone for the American people and the first step in permanently denuclearizing or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran."IAEA inspectors were blocked from accessing Iran in 2025, following the 12-day war with Israel and the Israeli-American strikes on nuclear sites across the country.'I’m right-wing, not a schmuck,' Bennett says in swipe at Israel’s far rightFormer Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday criticized Israel's far right, saying its rhetoric has damaged Israel's reputation in the Arab world.Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks to reporters in June. Credit: Itai RonFormer Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks to reporters in June.Credit: Itai RonSpeaking at the Jewish News Syndicate conference in Jerusalem, Bennett described himself as right-wing but distinguished himself from some figures on the Israeli right. "I'm not a schmuck, and there's a huge difference," he said.Bennett said he opposes the creation of a Palestinian state but criticized those who "tweet infantile tweets day and night."Describing his opponents as "really childish provocateurs," Bennett said their comments create unnecessary pressure in the Arab world. "And then the Arab leaders are pressured by their public against Israel, but for nothing, just for nothing, just for words," he said.Bennett, who is seeking to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the next election, urged Israel to continue its campaign in Lebanon."Israel is not a client state or a vassal state. Israel is a friend and an ally of the U.S., and in Lebanon we must exercise our right and duty to defend ourselves," he said. "Never tell soldiers, 'You see terrorists with your own eyes, they're preparing something, and you can't shoot them,' which is what's going on literally right now," he added. Bennett also said that during his tenure as prime minister, Israel acquired and smuggled thousands of Starlink satellite internet receivers into Iran to help citizens counter internet blackouts and coordinate protest efforts.Concluding his remarks, the leader of the Together party summarized his political approach as "right-wing non-schmuck."U.S.-Iran technical talks end with plans for high-level negotiations, Iranian official says Technical talks between the U.S., Iran and mediators concluded successfully overnight into Tuesday, Iran's deputy foreign minister said, adding that the sides have agreed on arrangements for future rounds of negotiations. Kazem Gharibabadi, who also leads the Iranian technical delegation, said in a statement published by Iran's Press TV that the next phase of talks will involve high-level negotiations. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance will participate in the next round of talks, alongside the prime ministers of Pakistan and Qatar. Read the full articleReport: U.S. establishes mechanism to monitor Lebanon fightingThe U.S. military's Central Command has established a monitoring mechanism to observe fighting in Lebanon in real time, CBS News reported Monday, citing a U.S. official. A Lebanese army soldier inspects the damage in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in Nabatieh, Lebanon, Sunday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersA Lebanese army soldier inspects the damage in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in Nabatieh, Lebanon, Sunday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersAccording to the report, the mechanism was created after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate phone calls Friday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Rubio discussed efforts to strengthen the cease-fire and upcoming talks between Israel and Lebanon scheduled to begin Tuesday in Washington and conclude Thursday.On Sunday, an Israeli source told Haaretz Israel and Lebanon will negotiate to determine the "pilot areas" to be transferred to exclusive Lebanese military control.According to the source, the arrangement would require Israeli forces to withdraw south of the Yellow Line, an unofficial demarcation of Israeli-held territory in southern Lebanon.The Lebanese army would operate in the pilot areas under close U.S. supervision, including in areas vacated by Israeli forces, the source said.Palestinian reports: Settlers raid village near Ramallah, damage vehiclesA vehicle reportedly torched by Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Monday. Credit: Used under Section 27a of the Copyright ActA vehicle reportedly torched by Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Monday. Credit: Used under Section 27a of the Copyright ActIsraeli settlers raided the village of Burqa, located near Ramallah, on Monday night, damaging vehicles, according to Palestinian reports.Oman affirms commitment to toll-free passage in Strait of HormuzOman's foreign minister affirmed his country's commitment to international law and toll-free safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz following meetings with top Iranian officials.Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said that he held constructive discussions in Muscat with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, during which "we affirmed commitment to international law and toll-free safe passage."📸 | استقبل معالي السيد بدر بن حمد البوسعيدي @badralbusaidi وزير الخارجية مساء اليوم، معالي الدكتور محمد باقر قاليباف، رئيس مجلس الشورى بالجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية، والوفد المرافق له، وبمعيته معالي الدكتور سيد عباس عراقجي وزير الخارجية بالجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية، وذلك في Show moreIran to establish a communication line for safe passage in Hormuz, top negotiator saysIran's top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that Tehran has agreed to have a communication line regarding ship passage in the strait of Hormuz to avoid conflict and incidents in the strategic waterway.In comments given to state TV on his way back from talks with U.S. in Switzerland on Sunday, the Iranian negotiator added that the signing for the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets has been finalised in the talks.In the NewsAs the World Watched Gaza, Israeli Settlers Charged Ahead in the West Bank. A Clash Is ImminentIsraeli Killed in Montreal Attack, Shooter Allegedly Linked to Incel Ideology'Closest Ally' or Nazi Appeaser? Israel's Right Wrestles With Trump's Iran DealDogs and Cats Face Rising Risk of Blindness From SuperbugsU.S.-Iran Talks End With Plans for High-level Negotiations, Iranian Source SaysRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael Is Conducting a Systematic Campaign of Ethnic Cleansing in the West BankWhere Does Andy Burnham Stand on Israel and Palestine?Netanyahu's Mouthpieces Turn on Trump, Revealing a Deeper Israeli IngratitudeIsrael Is Bleeding Support in U.S. and Pouring Tens of Millions to Change ThatTrump's Iran Deal Castrates Netanyahu, but It's Still Catastrophic for IsraelReport: Netanyahu 'Likely' to Sabotage Iran Deal, U.S. Officials Tell Trump