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

Trump tells Rutte he was 'let down' by NATO countries on Iran

Published: June 24, 2026 | 23:32 GMT | by AFP


US President Donald Trump told NATO chief Mark Rutte he was "let down" by members of the transatlantic alliance who did not back his war against Iran.


"We were let down. We didn't need help on this at all. We demolished (Iran) literally in the first week but it would have been nice if they would have said, 'We'd like to help,'" Trump said during a meeting with Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House.


For his part, Rutte defended the conduct of NATO countries, saying there were 4-5,000 "US planes taking off from bases in Europe" during the war.


The NATO chief then told journalists after the meeting that Trump is "completely committed to the NATO alliance," and said Washington would "absolutely" protect Europe in case of attack.



Qatar, Saudi Arabia discuss regional security after US-Iran deal

Published: June 24, 2026 | 23:21 GMT | by Web Desk


Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s top diplomats have spoken by phone to coordinate easing tensions in the Gulf, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to Al Jazeera.


Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani spoke with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on Wednesday, according to the statement.


The two reviewed efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.



The conversation reflects a wider push by Gulf states to shore up the fragile calm after months of conflict between Washington and Tehran.



Trump casts doubt on US involvement in deadly Iranian school strike

Published: June 24, 2026 | 22:41 GMT | by AFP


US President Donald Trump cast doubt on US involvement in the missile strike on an Iranian school "because missiles were flying all over the place" on the first day of the Middle East war.


"It's horrible what happened, but there were missiles flying all over the place, and somebody said it was our missile, well, maybe it wasn't our missile. But I've seen nothing to lead me to believe it was," Trump told reporters at the White House.


Trump then called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, seated on a couch in the Oval Office, to back up his assertion.


"Well Mr. President, we've taken the investigation very seriously, and when, when the appropriate time is right, whatever that outcome is, that'll be the time to divulge," Hegseth said.



Trump seeks $88 bn in extra funding, mostly for Iran war     

Published: June 24, 2026 | 21:46 GMT | by AFP


US President Donald Trump asked Congress on Wednesday for nearly $88 billion in extra spending, most of it to cover the cost of the Iran war, at a moment of growing unease in both parties over the conflict and its political price.


The White House request for $87.6 billion in supplemental funding includes tens of billions of dollars for the Pentagon, as well as money for US farmers, Ebola response efforts in central Africa and domestic infrastructure projects.


White House budget director Russell Vought made the request in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging Congress to act quickly on what he called "important and urgent requests."


The bulk of the package would go toward military costs linked to the Iran conflict.


The administration requested about $67 billion for the Pentagon, including $21 billion for munitions and other military capabilities, $17.3 billion for operational costs and $12.1 billion for classified programs.


It also sought nearly $768 million for the Energy Department for nuclear and energy security related to Iran, and $300 million for State Department embassy security and construction in countries around Iran.



Imposing fees for transit in Strait of Hormuz ‘unacceptable’: Trump

Published: June 24, 2026 | 21:30GMT | by Web Desk


The US president says again that he wouldn’t accept any fees being imposed on vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.


“It would be unacceptable,” he told reporters at the White House.


Trump noted that there are other international straits and said he “wouldn’t allow it there either”. He added: “It would be a game-changer.”



Iran FM spokesman warns against ‘contradictory statements’ by US officials

Published: June 24, 2026 | 20:20GMT | by Web Desk


Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, has warned that “contradictory statements” by US officials on the MoU “will do nothing to reduce the accumulated distrust of Iranians” towards Washington, Al Jazeera reported.


Instead, they “will merely serve as a reminder of past breaches of faith”, Baghaei wrote on social media, without specifying which exact statements he was referring to.


“The US ruling establishment must bear in mind that the principle of ‘commitment for commitment’ requires the fulfillment of reciprocal obligations and the avoidance of interpretations that are entirely at odds with the explicit wording of the memorandum of understanding text,” he said.


Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss US-Iran negotiations

Published: June 24, 2026 | 20:18 GMT | by AFP


Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saudi has spoken by phone with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said, according to Al Jazeera.


The pair “reviewed the latest developments” in continued US-Iran negotiations, as well as the progress made to implement the agreed understandings” between the two sides, the ministry said in a readout of the call.


“They also discussed regional developments and emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to advance dialogue and diplomatic solutions that serve the shared interests of all countries and peoples of the region,” the ministry said.



US energy secretary says 20 million barrels of oil exited Hormuz in last 24 hours

Published: June 24, 2026 | 20:06 GMT | by AFP


Some 20 million barrels of crude oil have exited the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says at the Reuters Global Energy Forum in New York, Al Jazeera reported. 


Wright blamed Iranian mines in the vital waterway for any delay in a return to normal oil shipping levels.



Israeli forces kill Palestinian in West Bank raid

Published: June 24, 2026 | 18:15 GMT | by AFP

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man during a house raid in a town in the northern occupied West Bank on Wednesday, Israel's military and the Palestinian health ministry said.

Violence has escalated in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.



Rubio says 'no country' supports imposing fees in Hormuz strait

Published: June 24, 2026 | 17:20 GMT | by AFP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he believed all countries were against Iran imposing fees for transiting the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

"I know of no country on the planet that supports tolling or fees for the use of the strait." 



Pakistan, China reaffirm support for Iran-US peace process

Published: June 24, 2026 | 15:51 GMT | by Web Desk


Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday, discussing progress in the Iran-US peace process and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a lasting settlement between the two countries, the foreign office said.


According to the statement, FM Dar briefed his Chinese counterpart on the first round of high-level Iran-US talks held in Burgenstock under the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar. 


 “The negotiations had resulted in the establishment of a high-level oversight committee and three working groups focusing on the nuclear issue, sanctions, and dispute resolution, with the goal of reaching a final agreement within 60 days,” the statement added.


“Wang Yi congratulated Pakistan on facilitating the talks and the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, praising Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.”



Qatar Amir congratulates Pakistan on historic US-Iran peace agreement

Published: June 24, 2026 | 13:40 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who congratulated Pakistan on its successful diplomatic efforts leading to the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between US and Iran, the Prime Minister's Office said.


According to the statement, the Qatari Amir praised Pakistan’s leadership in advancing regional peace and reaffirmed Qatar’s full support for the ongoing peace process. 



The statement further added that both leaders welcomed the positive momentum generated by recent technical-level talks and agreed to maintain close coordination. 


“They also discussed bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and strengthening Pakistan-Qatar relations in the coming months,” the statement added.


The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (Islamabad MoU) between the US and Iran was digitally signed on June 18, 2026, ending the 2026 Iran war. 



Brent crude under $75 for first time since start of Mideast war

Published: June 24, 2026 | 12:40 GMT | by AFP

The price of Brent North Sea crude, the international benchmark, extended losses Wednesday to trade under $75 a barrel for the first time since the start of the Middle East war.


Brent slid 3.1 percent to $74.73, extending its fall since the United States and Iran last week struck a deal to end the conflict that began on February 28.



Rubio vows 'commitment' to UAE security in meeting with Emirati president

Published: June 24, 2026 | 10:37 GMT | by AFP


US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the US-Iran deal with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed on Wednesday, and renewed Washington's commitment to the country's security on the first leg of a tour of the Gulf.


"They discussed President Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region," said his spokesperson Tommy Pigott, adding that Rubio "reaffirmed the US commitment to the security of the Emirates".



UN watchdog says Iran nuclear inspections 'going to happen'

Published: June 24, 2026 | 10:03 GMT | by AFP


The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that inspections at Iranian atomic sites were "going to happen", but did not offer a specific timeline.


His comment came after Tehran and Washington signed a preliminary deal aimed at ending the Middle East war, and which cited the involvement of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in next steps on Tehran's program.


IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told reporters during a visit to Japan that the agreement "explicitly" states "nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with regards to nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA".


"Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect," Grossi said. The date and location of the inspection are currently under discussion, with a decision to be made soon "in collaboration and in cooperation with the government of Iran," he said.


"Whether this happens today after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it's important but not essential. This is going to happen."



Pakistan, Iran pledge deeper security cooperation as regional tensions ease

Published: June 24, 2026 | 08:55 GMT | by Web Desk


Pakistan and Iran have agreed to expand cooperation in security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and immigration, as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held detailed talks with his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, on bilateral relations and the evolving regional situation following a peace agreement, according to state-run APP.


During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed Pakistan-Iran ties and discussed the latest developments in the region after the Islamabad MoU, APP reported on Wednesday. 


They expressed satisfaction over the reduction in regional tensions and voiced hope that the agreement would produce far-reaching positive consequences for peace and stability.


Momeni thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome extended to the Iranian president and his delegation during their visit to the country. 



Iranian president praises Pakistan for efforts to promote peace

Published: June 24, 2026 | 08:47 GMT | by Web Desk


The president of Iran praised Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability and credited Islamabad with playing a constructive role in advancing negotiations that helped bring an end to the recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, according to Iranian Tasnim News Agency.


The Iranian president thanked the Pakistani government for its around-the-clock efforts to strengthen peace and security in the region and highlighted Islamabad’s contribution to ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the recent war.



Four more South Korean ships safely exit Strait of Hormuz

Published: June 24, 2026 | 02:57 GMT | by Web Desk


South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has said that four more South Korean-operated ships have safely left the Strait of Hormuz, bringing the number of vessels that have left the region to six.


“Four vessels operated by our shipping companies that were waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz have passed through the strait and are sailing normally,” the ministry said, according to the Yonhap news agency.


The ships had 26 Korean crew members on board, and one of the ships is headed back to South Korea, the ministry added.


With their departure, the number of South Korea-linked ships remaining inside the strait has fallen to 18, Yonhap reported.


The report came as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) began evacuating more than 11,000 sailors who have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz for months.



Rubio opposes Hormuz charges as Senate symbolic resolution calls for end to Iran war 

Published: June 24, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk


US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates, stating 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.


"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."


Separately, the US Senate passed a largely symbolic resolution calling for an end to Trump's war with Iran, passing the measure in a 50-48 vote. 


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


Additionally, while meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif clarified that Iran’s ballistic missile program was not included in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and was not discussed during the negotiations between Washington and Tehran. 


“There should be no double standards regarding missile capabilities," said the premier and urged support for lasting peace and regional development.



For earlier developments, read our June 23 live blog here.