Middle East Roundup, June 16: Iran says US naval blockade 'lifted', Trump declares strait to open ‘toll free’

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments

• World leaders welcome peace agreement, appreciate Pakistan's mediation
• Netanyahu says Israeli forces to stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza 'as long as necessary'
• At least five Iranian vessels pass after US lifts naval blockade
• Trump says peace deal between US, Iran ‘is all signed,’ Hormuz ‘already partially open’ 
• Iran says talks with US to start right after signing of MoU in Switzerland

Australian rights group welcomes probe into Israeli mistreatment of flotilla activists

Published: June 16, 2026 | 23:53 GMT | by Web Desk

The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) has welcomed an Australian investigation into “allegations of violence, sexual assault and other mistreatment by Israeli authorities” against Australian activists participating in a recent Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Al Jazeera reported.

Rawan Arraf, principal lawyer at the ACIJ, said the announced probe to be conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) was a “welcome and significant step”.

“The AFP must ensure that these allegations are investigated for what they are: allegations of grave international crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Arraf said.

She added that Australia’s probe should not treat what happened to the detained flotilla activists as an “isolated incident”.

“We call on the AFP to open a broader structural investigation into Israel’s unlawful blockade and siege of Gaza, and to identify the Israeli military and civilian officials responsible for its design, authorisation and enforcement,” Arraf added.

She also called for Australia to coordinate its investigation with Italy and France, which have both announced similar probes.

UK maritime agency reports sea mines ‘remain a threat’ in Strait of Hormuz

Published: June 16, 2026 | 23:00 GMT | by Web Desk

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) has said that ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains “significantly reduced,” Al Jazeera reported.

The Royal Navy-led agency said in its latest update that “mining in and near” the route that ships usually take to navigate the strait remains a “threat”, and interference with satellite navigation systems remains “consistent”.

“Vessels transiting the area are advised to navigate with extreme caution,” it said.

Commercial vessels are still taking a path to the south through Omani territorial waters, the UKMTO added.

The UKMTO’s agency also reported that a container ship and an oil tanker both reported being approached by a small “skiff” with armed crew on board on Monday, between 11 and 14 nautical miles (20-25 kilometres) from Yemen’s coast.

France and the United Kingdom – which both declined to send military assets during the war – said this week that they will lead a mission to coordinate reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran finalising deal with US ‘from a position of equality’, says its envoy to Mexico

Published: June 16, 2026 | 22:21 GMT | by Web Desk

The ISNA news agency quoted Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, as saying that “after 100 days [of the US-Israel war on Iran], they did not achieve the results they wanted, and our country is negotiating and reaching an outcome from a position of equality,” Al Jazeera reported.

“The lifting of sanctions and investment can be the achievements of this agreement”, due to be officially signed on Friday.

US-Iran peace ‘must hold’, G7 ‘united on this’, Merz says

Published: June 16, 2026 | 20:53 GMT | by Web Desk

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasised that “the agreed-upon peace must now hold," Al Jazeera reported. 

“We are united on this as G7,” he wrote on X, adding that the US-Iran agreement is “an opportunity for the stability of the region and for the global economy.”

Merz earlier said Germany has already sent mine-clearing boats to the region ahead of an anticipated full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran military threatens 'harsh response' to Israeli attacks in Lebanon

Published: June 16, 2026 | 20:53 GMT | by AFP

Iran's military threatened on Tuesday to respond to Israel after strikes in southern Lebanon killed four people despite a deal between Tehran and Washington ending the Middle East war, including in Lebanon.

"If the child-killing army of the Zionist regime does not put an end to its acts of aggression in southern Lebanon, it should await a harsh response from the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," said the Iranian military's central command Khatam al-Anbiya.

It added that Israel had violated the ceasefire in Lebanon "84 times" since the deal was announced.

Oil prices drop more than 5%

Published: June 16, 2026 | 16:31 GMT | by AFP

Global oil prices tumbled more than 5% on Tuesday as speculation mounted that sanctions on Iranian crude could be eased as part of the deal to end the Middle East war.

Around 1650 GMT, international benchmark Brent crude fell to $79 a barrel. The US benchmark, WTI crude, tumbled 5.9% to $75.97 a barrel.

Iran says US naval blockade 'lifted', Trump declares strait to open ‘toll free’
Published: June 16, 2026 | 14:22 GMT | by Web Desk/AFP

An Iranian deputy foreign minister on Tuesday said the two-month US naval blockade on Iranian ports had been lifted ahead of the planned formal signing of a deal ending the war.

"The lifting of the blockade was something we had emphasized from the outset. It has now begun, and the blockade has been lifted prior to the formal signing" scheduled for Friday, said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, according to the government's website.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that the strait of Hormuz will open “toll free” and “permanently”.

“The strait [of Hormoz] is gonna be open toll free, permanently,” he said during a press conference with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on sidelines of G7 summit.

US-Iran deal to be signed in Switzerland on Friday: Bern
Published: June 16, 2026 | 14:34 GMT | by AFP

A US-Iran deal aimed at ending the Middle East war will be signed at Switzerland's mountainside Burgenstock resort on Friday, the Swiss foreign ministry said.

Tehran and Washington announced Sunday they had agreed on a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict, which broke out on Feb. 28.

"At this stage, the signing is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at Burgenstock," Switzerland's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The location, the ministry said, "was proposed by the Pakistani and Qatari mediators, as well as by the US and Iran."

"Switzerland is acting as a facilitator in this process, creating the practical and diplomatic conditions necessary for this meeting to take place on Swiss territory."

Pakistan, China discuss regional diplomacy and economic cooperation
Published: June 16, 2026 | 13:38 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan and China discussed regional diplomacy, the Iran-US peace deal and economic cooperation in a phone call, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a post on X on Tuesday, the ministry said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Both leaders welcomed “understandings reached” in a memorandum of understanding, calling it an important step toward regional peace and stability.  Wang Yi praised Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and mediation efforts in facilitating Iran-US engagement and contributing to international peace and stability.

Dar thanked China for its support and noted its role in regional stability initiatives, including President Xi Jinping’s Four-Point Proposal and the Pakistan-China Five-Point Initiative.

Both sides called for the implementation of the understandings and continued engagement toward the peaceful settlement of outstanding issues. They also noted the importance of opening the Strait of Hormuz for global trade, energy security and the international economy.

The two leaders discussed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China and agreed to follow up on its outcomes.

Dar talked about the importance of cooperation on CPEC 2.0 and stronger economic ties.

Brent oil price drops under $80 on US-Iran deal

Published: June 16, 2026 | 13:29 GMT | by Web Desk

Oil prices fell to a three-month low on Tuesday on optimism over the expected reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after a peace deal between the United States and Iran.

Brent North Sea crude, the international benchmark, dropped 4% to $79.87 a barrel, dipping below $80 for the first time since early March.

The main US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, slid 4.5% to $77.16 a barrel.

US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would "completely open" once Washington and Iran sign their peace agreement on Friday in Switzerland.

Trump says ‘Iran will not have a nuclear weapon’

Published: June 16, 2026 | 13:19 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon while speaking at the sidelines of the G7 Summit.

Trump said, “We can't let that happen, so they will not have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump further added that 'good things' are happening, the ships are starting to move nicely, oil is starting to go, prices are coming down rapidly, and the stock market is going up rapidly.

Trump says will release, brief media on MoU text

Published: June 16, 2026 | 12:52 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump says the text of the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran will be released at some point in a formal setting.

“I’ll not only release it, I’ll probably have a press conference and read it, word by word so that the press covers it accurately.”

Trump further added, “It’s a very important document.”

Lebanese leaders discuss preparations for new round of Israel talks
Published: June 16, 2026 | 12:45 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon's president and prime minister on Tuesday discussed preparations for a new round of talks with Israel next week, following the US and Iran's announcement of a peace deal that includes Lebanon. 

Lebanon and Israel have been holding direct talks in Washington since April, seeking to end Israeli strikes on Lebanon. But the announcement of the US-Iran deal has reshuffled the cards in Lebanon.

The office of President Joseph Aoun said he and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed preparations for the fifth round of talks, scheduled to begin on June 22. They described the US-Iran memorandum of understanding as "a positive factor in reducing the regional tensions and pushing towards peaceful solutions and an end to the state of war".

They reiterated Lebanon’s demands through the Washington talks, including "a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the lands they occupy, the deployment of the Lebanese army up to the international border, the return of Lebanese prisoners and launching the reconstruction process".

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said an end to the conflict would be incomplete "without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories it occupied in this war", adding that continued attacks or occupation would be seen as a violation of the memorandum of understanding.

Second round of US-Iran talks to start on day of signing: Iranian minister
Published: June 16, 2026 | 12:19 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday stated that the second round of US-Iran talks will commence immediately after a memorandum of understanding between the two countries is signed in Geneva on Friday, Tasnim News Agency reported.

According to the Iranian news outlet, the Iranian minister was speaking at a meeting with “ambassadors, chargés d’affaires, and heads of foreign and international missions based in Tehran.”

During the meeting, Araghchi stated that the second round of talks will continue for 60 days.

The United States and Iran signed a preliminary framework agreement to end more than 100 days of Middle East War. The tentative truce, mediated by Pakistan, halts military operations on all fronts and maps out a phased path toward regional security.

A formal signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding (MoU) is scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2026, in Switzerland, where detailed technical and nuclear talks will immediately begin.

The Iranian minister informed the attendees that, due to some “difficulties in reaching a comprehensive agreement” that had emerged at the onset of the war, the negotiations were divided “into two stages.”

Araghchi said that the first phase focused on ending the war and “addressing issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, maritime blockade concerns, reconstruction, and related matters.” This culminated in a memorandum of understanding.

The second phase is where the two sides will “reach a final agreement addressing nuclear issues and sanctions relief.”

He said that “after three months of negotiations that began alongside the conflict and continued until June 15, the first stage was finalized.” Araghchi also stated that the announcement of the war’s end has “already been made on Monday morning.”

He “described the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, as the most important element of the understanding.” He stated that ending the war in Lebanon also required “an end to occupation and that any future Israeli military action or continued presence in Lebanese territory would be regarded as a violation of the memorandum.”

Aragchi also thanked Pakistan and Qatar for their mediation efforts.

Iran state media says Iranian oil tankers resumed shipping after US deal

Published: June 16, 2026 | 12:11 GMT | by AFP

Iranian state television said Tuesday that Iranian oil tankers and other vessels had resumed shipping following a deal with Washington, in what appeared to be an easing of a US naval blockade.

"Three Iranian oil tankers are currently sailing in the northern Indian Ocean, and two others carrying essential goods and livestock feed are en route and sailing towards southern ports," said a state television reporter from a site in the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that "the operation to lift the naval blockade has been implemented," in reference to the US measure in place since April 13.

'I never cared about the regime change': Trump

Published: June 16, 2026 | 10:07 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he never cared about regime change in Iran. He added that the current Iranian leaders are “very rational people,” adding that they are “not radicalized.”

“I never cared about the regime change,” Trump said.

He further said that regime changes don’t work, and that countries should run on respect, not fear.

Iran says talks on final US deal to begin this week

Published: June 16, 2026 | 09:20 GMT | by AFP

Iran said Tuesday that talks with the United States on its nuclear program and sanctions relief would likely begin later this week, as President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would "completely open" once the foes sign their deal.

Officials say negotiations over a final deal would take place in a 60-day window after the memorandum of understanding to end nearly four months of war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran is physically signed.

"Likely on Friday, at a location to be determined ... a new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States to reach a final agreement will begin," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

"In the final agreement, decisions will be made on the nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions."

Trump says Netanyahu ‘has to be more responsible’ in Lebanon

Published: June 16, 2026 | 12:52 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to be “more responsible” with respect to Lebanon while speaking to reporters in France.

Trump said that he has a "great relationship with Bibi," but now “Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.” 

Trump also stated that “without the United States, there will be no Israel. Without me, there will be no Israel.”

Trump expects second stage of Iran deal to ‘be easier’

Published: June 16, 2026 | 09:03 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the announced deal with Iran “should be successful,” Al Jazeera reported.

Speaking in France, where he is attending the G7 summit, Trump said he expects that negotiations to reach a planned second stage of the deal to “be actually easier.”

Iran's top negotiator Ghalibaf to attend signing of US deal: deputy foreign minister

Published: June 16, 2026 | 09:21 GMT | by AFP 

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will attend the signing in Switzerland of the deal ending the war with the United States, an Iranian deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"Switzerland will be the venue for the signing, but the exact location has not yet been determined. The next round of negotiations will begin immediately after the signing," said Majid Takht-Ravanchi, according to state television.

He said US Vice President JD Vance will represent Washington, while "from Iran, it will be Mr Ghalibaf."

Iran FM says ending war in Lebanon 'most important issue' in US deal

Published: June 16, 2026 | 08:11 GMT | by AFP 

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that ending the war in Lebanon was the "most important issue" in the peace deal with the United States announced the day before.

"The important point I want to emphasise here is that in our view, there are two parties to this memorandum -- one side is America and Israel, and the other side is Iran and Hezbollah," said Araghchi during a briefing with foreign diplomats broadcast on state television.

"This is perhaps the most important issue in the memorandum -- the declaration of an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon," he said.

Trump may release US-Iran agreement before Friday, says Vance

Published: June 16, 2026 | 04:56 GMT | by Web Desk 

US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that President Donald Trump may release Washington’s agreement with Tehran before Friday.

During an interview with Fox News, Vance said the agreement, which was electronically signed on June 14 by leaders in the US and Iran, is expected to be signed in person on Friday.

They are going to be welcomed into global economy: Vance on Iran deal

Published: June 16, 2026 | 02:20 GMT | by Web Desk 

US Vice President JD Vance said that Iran can be welcomed into the global economy if it never rebuilds its nuclear program, in a video he posted on X while explaining the peace deal.

“If the Iranians make the long-term commitment never to rebuild [their nuclear program], then they are going to be welcomed into the global economy,” he further added that if they violate those commitments, they are “never going to have the resources to do so.”

He said the deal means the Strait of Hormuz opens “immediately” and “ensures that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump dismisses reports of US payouts to Iran as ‘fake news’

Published: June 16, 2026 | 01:37 GMT | by Web Desk 

US President Donald Trump replied to media reports circulating, claiming that the American government planned to pay Iran $300 million.

“Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the US is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the Dumocrats!!!,” he posted on Truth Social.

The news quickly circulated online after JD Vance's interview with CBS News, in which Vance said Iran "could have access" to a "$300 billion reconstruction fund" funded by the "Gulf Coast Coalition."

Israeli anger over MoU with US ‘clear sign’ of Iran’s victory: Pezeshkian

Published: June 16, 2026 | 00:47 GMT | by Web Desk 

President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Israel’s anger over a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States clearly signals the success and victory of the Iranian nation.

Pezeshkian made the remark in an address to a nationwide conference on Monday, a day after the announcement of an MoU between Tehran and Washington aimed at ending the war.

"The concern and anger of the Zionist regime (Israel) over this process is a clear sign of the success and victory of the Iranian nation. With divine grace, this path will continue with strength,” he said.

Read our June 15 live blog for earlier developments here