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


UN says ceasefire ‘largely holding’ in southern Lebanon


Published: June 23, 2026 | 23:14 GMT | by AFP


The UN has said a ceasefire in southern Lebanon seems to be “largely holding”, but that peacekeepers continue to observe Israeli military “ground and air activities”.


In one incident, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers observed “heavy” fire from Israeli military machineguns before three shots were fired by an Israeli military tank near Biyyada yesterday.


UN peacekeepers also observed Israeli military drone activity, “apparently to monitor UNIFIL peacekeepers”, Dujarric said.


The incident near Biyyada came after peacekeepers reported that Sunday was the first day with no exchange of fire since fighting escalated between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2.


This was a sharp drop from Saturday, when peacekeepers detected “multiple airstrikes and 451 firing incidents” attributed to the Israeli military, and “20 trajectories” attributed to Hezbollah.


The UN urged all parties to “adhere fully to the ceasefire and refrain from any escalation, particularly during this delicate period of ongoing negotiations”, Dujarric said.


Israel denying women medical care in prison, advocacy group says

Published: June 23, 2026 | 22:58 GMT | by AFP


Palestinian women are living in “catastrophic” conditions in Israel’s Damon Prison, according to a report from the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, cited by the Wafa news agency.


Eighty-seven Palestinian women, including three from Gaza, are currently being held at the prison.


The commission’s report found that several women suffering from serious health conditions are being denied appropriate treatment, and pregnant women are being denied basic care and necessities.


The commission also found that women are allowed only one hour per day outside their cells for recreation and showering, Wafa reported.



US eases rules on Iran team for Game 3 of World Cup

Published: June 23, 2026 | 22:40 GMT | by AFP


The United States will ease travel restrictions imposed on the Iranian team during the World Cup, allowing them to arrive in Seattle two days before their next match, the US Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday.


Iran team officials complained they could only arrive for matches in Los Angeles one day before kick-off — and had to leave almost as soon as the match was over.


"For the Iranian team's third match in Seattle on June 26, the team has been permitted to come into the US two days before the match," a department spokesperson said.


"The Iran team will still be required to leave the day the match ends. The overall security measures and protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible for players, staff, and fans alike."


An Iranian team spokesperson confirmed to AFP that the squad will leave Tijuana — the Mexican city where they have been based — on Wednesday, ahead of the match against Egypt on Friday.


Palestine calls for accountability over Israel’s targeting of children

Published: June 23, 2026 | 21:49 GMT | by Web Desk


The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has welcomed a new UN report documenting Israel’s deliberate targeting of Palestinian children and called on the “international community to take immediate action to hold the occupation accountable”.


The report provides “serious legal evidence revealing the extent of the crimes committed by occupation forces and settler militias against our children, in flagrant violation of international covenants and principles”, the ministry said in a statement.


It said it affirms that “occupation forces and settler militias target Palestinian children on a daily basis, treating them as legitimate targets while committing crimes of intentional killing, starvation, forced displacement, arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, and deprivation of health care and education”.


The ministry said the UN report was not only important because it documented the crimes, but also because it “renewed confirmation of the international community’s failure to stop the violations”.



Iran’s ballistic missile program not included in Islamabad MoU: PM Sharif

Published: June 23, 2026 | 21:17 GMT | by Web Desk

PM Sharif clarified that Iran’s ballistic missile program is not included in the Islamabad MoU and was not discussed during the negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. 


During delegation-level talks with the Iranian president, the premier said that “there should be no double standards regarding missile capabilities and urged support for lasting peace and regional development.”


PM Sharif said that Iran’s ballistic missile program was neither included in the talks’ agenda nor discussed at any stage.


He said that it cannot be that other countries have ballistic missiles and Iran does not, adding that there should be no ambiguity on this point.



US Congress passes symbolic Iran war rebuke to Trump

Published: June 23, 2026 | 20:04 GMT | by AFP


The US Senate passed a largely symbolic resolution Tuesday calling for an end to President Donald Trump's war with Iran, delivering a fresh rebuke to the White House as it tries to negotiate a lasting settlement with Tehran.


The House-passed measure, adopted by the Senate in a 50-48 vote, directs Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes military action.


Because the measure is a "concurrent resolution," it does not go to Trump's desk for signature and carries disputed legal force.



Rubio says US won't accept tolls or fees in Strait of Hormuz

Published: June 23, 2026 | 16:25 GMT | by AFP


US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that no country is allowed to impose tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran seeks to extract revenue from the vital waterway.


"It's an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway. That's existing international law," he said as he arrived in the United Arab Emirates.


"I don't think we have anybody to convince around here in that regard. I think all the countries in this region would agree with us."



Hezbollah chief demands full Israeli withdrawal 'according to a timetable'

Published: June 23, 2026 | 15:42 GMT | by AFP


Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Tuesday demanded a full, scheduled withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon to make way for a Lebanese army deployment in the south following the US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war.


"We now have a ceasefire. The withdrawal must take place according to a timetable. Israel has no choice but to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory, without retaining an inch," Qassem said in a televised address. "Israel withdraws and the Lebanese army deploys exclusively south of the Litani River."



Lebanon president rejects Israeli occupation, foreign interference

Published: June 23, 2026 | 14:35 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday rejected Israel's occupation of south Lebanon as a fifth round of Israel-Lebanon talks began in Washington.

"We accept nothing less than an end to the Israeli occupation and at the same time, the fall of foreign tutelage, because our only option is our national sovereignty and our sole wager is on the Lebanese state," Aoun said, according to his office.

He also expressed hope that the new round of talks would be "decisive along the path of achieving what we seek for the good of our nation and people", namely "the full restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty over every grain of its soil".



Iran announces three-day holiday in Tehran for Ali Khamenei's funeral

Published: June 23, 2026 | 13:40 GMT | by AFP

Iran announced Tuesday three days of public holidays in the capital, Tehran, for the funeral ceremonies of the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, state television reported.

"The farewell ceremony and prayers for the martyred leader's body will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 4th and 5th, in Tehran's Grand Mosalla, and the funeral will be held on Monday, July 6th, and Tehran province will be off for these three days," IRGC commander Hassan Hassanzadeh, in charge of the funeral ceremonies, was quoted as saying.

Earlier, state media said Tehran would be on holiday on July 4 and 5, while the whole country would follow suit on July 6.



Israel can say no to Trump, should not accept Lebanon ceasefire, says Israeli minister

Published: June 23, 2026 | 13:01 GMT | by Web Desk


Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that Israel could defy Trump if necessary, while speaking to a local media outlet, as reported by Al Jazeera. 


He insisted that the ceasefire in Lebanon is unacceptable, saying there should be “no ceasefire” – “under no circumstances.”



Iranian President Pezeshkian arrives in Islamabad for a one-day visit

Published: June 23, 2026 | 10:41 GMT | by Web Desk


Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad for a one-day visit, where he was received by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, among other top officials, at the Noor Khan Airbase. 

Pezeshkian was presented with a guard of honor, a 21-gun salute, and a JF-17 fly-past upon his reception. The Iranian president was then escorted to the prime minister's house in Islamabad.


Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also arrived in Islamabad earlier and was received by his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar.



Pezeshkian says statements outside agreed text do not help advance US-Iran negotiations

Published: June 23, 2026 | 08:10 GMT | by Web Desk


Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the success of the talks in Switzerland hinges on strict compliance with agreed commitments and their accurate implementation.

In a post on X, he wrote that “the effectiveness of the talks depends on full commitment to the agreed obligations and their precise implementation.”

He added that “progress along this path will be judged by practical adherence to accepted responsibilities” and warned that “statements outside the agreed text do not help advance the negotiations.”



Iran to deploy released assets ‘with absolute liberty’

Published: June 23, 2026 | 08:03 GMT | by Web Desk


Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday that the country will allocate its released frozen assets as it sees fit. 


He was responding to President Trump’s claim that the funds would be used only for US farm purchases. 


“We have learned the war’s true goal was to annihilate Iran’s civilization, and that aim has turned into lining US farmers’ pockets with our frozen assets,” Baghaei told reporters. “There are no restrictions on how we channel these funds. They will be employed with absolute liberty.”



‘No clear schedule’ for IAEA nuclear inspections: Baghaei

Published: June 23, 2026 | 07:56 GMT | by Web Desk


Iran’s FM spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday that Iran’s delegation in Switzerland did not meet with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Rafael Grossi, during the latest round of talks.


"There is no clear schedule for the agency to examine Iran’s nuclear facilities that were attacked by the US and Israel," he said in a press conference in Tehran.



Hezbollah says it will ‘respond in kind’ to Israeli ceasefire violations

Published: June 23, 2026 | 06:55 GMT | by Web Desk


Mahmoud Qamati, deputy head of Hezbollah’s political council, has warned that the Lebanese group will respond to any violation of the ceasefire by Israel, Al-Jazeera reported, citing Iran’s Press TV.


Qamati said Hezbollah’s retaliation will come “in kind”, adding that there will not be a “return to the pre-war situation” when Israeli forces launched near-daily attacks on Lebanon even as the group’s fighters held their fire.


“Hezbollah remains fully alert with its finger on the trigger, ready to confront any violation by the Israeli regime,” he was quoted as saying.



Iranian president to visit Pakistan today on official visit

Published: June 23, 2026 | 06:22 GMT | by Web Desk


Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday on an official visit at the invitation of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.


The Iranian president will lead a high-level delegation to convey the message of the Iranian government and people to Pakistan following what the embassy described as a year marked by solidarity, support and Pakistan's mediation efforts aimed at easing regional tensions and promoting peace and stability, the Foreign Office said in a statement.


During the visit, the two sides are expected to review the current state of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation and deepen the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran, the statement said.


The visit comes amid growing diplomatic engagement between the neighboring countries following recent regional developments.



Iran chief negotiator says Hormuz will be administered by Tehran: state media
Published: June 23, 2026 | 01:56 GMT | by AFP


Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said that the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by Tehran, state media reported on Tuesday, following talks pushing to end the US-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic.


"The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war conditions and will be administered by the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law," Ghalibaf said on his return from the talks, according to IRNA.


In a video posted to Ghalibaf's Telegram account, he said the talks at the luxury Swiss resort of Burgenstock produced "good achievements."


"In my view, this trip had good achievements, especially regarding the discussion of the Strait, the Lebanon discussions, the question of oil waiver, and the matter of releasing the frozen funds," he said.


"Of course, we believe we are still at the beginning of this work and must continue our efforts," Ghalibaf added in the video.



Trump praises Switzerland negotiators; Iranian president to visit Pakistan today 

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


US President Donald Trump said that Washington’s negotiators in Switzerland were doing “a fantastic job,” stating that Vice President JD Vance was a “smart guy” doing a “great job.”


“We are doing very well with respect to the Hormuz strait. “We took in more oil yesterday than that has ever gone through the strait. The strait is totally open,” Trump said while speaking to the reporters in Washington. 


“I think they are doing a fantastic job […] And I thought JD Vance this morning was fantastic, I watched his news conference, he is a smart guy, did a great job,” he said. 


Separately, a statement from Pakistan’s foreign office said that Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian would undertake a state visit with a high-level delegation on Tuesday, adding that the meeting would provide an “important opportunity” to discuss “ongoing diplomatic engagements following the signing of the Islamabad MoU.”


In Switzerland, US Vice President JD Vance said that the first round of US-Iran talks had laid a good foundation for reaching a final deal on ending the Middle East war.


“We haven't built the house, but we've laid a successful foundation to get to a good place for the American people," he said. 


He added that Tehran had agreed to invite International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country, terming it a major milestone for the American people and the first step in permanently denuclearizing or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran.”


Similarly, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, departed for Islamabad after completing their visit to Switzerland, the Prime Minister's Office said.



For earlier developments, read our June 22 live blog here