What next for Iran as Trump signs ‘disastrous’ deal to end the war
The United States and Iran have signed an interim deal to end their war, setting the table for two months of talks aimed at resolving long-standing disputes.
President Donald Trump presented the agreement on Wednesday as a “major win” for the US, extending the ceasefire agreement in place since April so the two sides can address the ongoing issue of Iran’s nuclear programme.
US hawks and supporters of Israel have variously called the agreement “a catastrophic capitulation” to Iran and a “disaster” that achieves none of Trump’s original goals.
We look at the main obstacles to a more long-term peace and what happens now the documents have been signed.
James Reynolds19 June 2026 13:30
IRGC ‘set up cells in Iraq to conduct drone attacks’ on Iran’s neighbours: report
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) set up secretive cells in Iraq to conduct drone attacks on Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to a report.
Eight Iraqi sources told Reuters that three or four cells, each comprising around 10 elite fighters, launched at least 7 drone attacks from desert locations near Basra and Samwa against sites in nearby countries.
A number of their members were drawn from Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of hardline Shi’ite factions with thousands of fighters. But the new groups operate outside its command structure, reporting directly to the IRGC, according to the sources.
The establishment of the new Iraqi cells, which has not previously been reported, reflects a shift in IRGC tactics aimed at preserving Iran’s ability to project force across the region at a time when its armed proxy groups are greatly diminished and its own military and economic resources are depleted, the five militia commanders said.
Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25 (file) (AFP/Getty)
James Reynolds19 June 2026 13:00
US ‘tells Iran that Israel will not escalate in Lebanon’
The United States has relayed to Iran that Israel will not further escalate its attacks in Lebanon, CNN reports, citing a source familiar with the matter.
After a day of heavy attacks in Lebanon following the deaths of four IDF soldiers overnight, the unnamed source told the US outlet: “Hezbollah violated the ceasefire. Israel has agreed to let it be, which was relayed to the Iranians, and it’s up to Hezbollah to stop.”
Earlier today, a diplomat with knowledge of the matter told CNN that Iran has asked for guarantees that hostilities in Lebanon will cease before it restarts talks with the US in Switzerland.
Mediators are “currently working to resolve the issue,” they said, adding that the planned talks were “temporarily postponed following the Israeli strikes in Lebanon”, without saying when mediators expect a them to resume.
James Reynolds19 June 2026 12:50
Hezbollah lawmaker says Iran told group talks with US hinge on comprehensive ceasefire
Lebanese Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters that Iran had informed the group that talks with the United States could not continue without the implementation of a comprehensive ceasefire.
He called on the Lebanese government to reject any direct negotiations with Israel while Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, and said Washington bore responsibility for ensuring Israel halted its attacks and implemented the terms of the agreement.
James Reynolds19 June 2026 12:41
Far right Israeli minister says ‘all of Lebanon must burn’ after escalation with Hezbollah
“For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn!” he wrote on social media, adding: “In the Middle East, you don’t win with measured responses and restraint – you need to go beserk. To obliterate.”
James Reynolds19 June 2026 12:36
‘Worst foreign policy blunder in decades’: Republicans turn on Trump over Iran deal
The U.S. released the 14-point interim agreement on Wednesday as Trump signed the documents in Versailles, France. The terms included stopping the conflict and reopening the vital shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, but also financing Iran’s recovery with a $300bn fund and scrapping sanctions.
“Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” said Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy on Wednesday, referring to the former president Trump admires.
James Reynolds19 June 2026 12:30
Police bans Iranian opposition rally in Paris scheduled for Saturday
The Paris police has banned a rally by an Iranian opposition group that was due to take place on Saturday, the Paris-based NCRI said in a statement on Friday.
The demonstration, which had been approved several months ago was banned late on Thursday evening.
The group, which said it was appealing the decision, did not say what reason had been given.
James Reynolds19 June 2026 12:00
Netanyahu says Hezbollah will pay a ‘very heavy price’ after IDF soldiers killed in Lebanon
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Hezbollah would pay “a very heavy price for these attacks”, after the IDF said four soldiers were killed overnight.
He reiterated that the military would remain in southern Lebanon despite a new deal between the US and Iran, which promises an end to the conflict in the country.
He said he had instructed the IDF to strike Hezbollah “with full force” last night in response to the attacks, and said they struck more than 80 targets and killed “dozens of terrorists”.
The IDF then struck Hezbollah headquarters in the Bekaa Valley, in east Lebanon, this morning, he said.
James Reynolds19 June 2026 11:58
Israel still committed to ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon and US, says ambassador amid ongoing strikes
Israel’s ambassador to the United States said late on Friday that Israel is still committed to the ceasefire agreement between Israel, Lebanon and the US.
“If Hezbollah does not violate the agreement, it will be kept. Under all circumstances, Israel retains its right to respond to attacks against it and to thwart threats to its territory, citizens and soldiers,” said ambassador Yechiel Leiter.
Israel continues to clash with Hezbollah in Lebanon, insisting on its right to defend itself, despite a bilateral agreement between the US and Iran to end the conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon.
With Israel not a party to the agreement, the continued clashes pose a threat to hopes of a lasting end to the war.
James Reynolds19 June 2026 11:30
If deal fails… ‘we have no hesitation in delivering a crushing response’, says Iran
Iran’s top negotiator says in a post on social media that if talks fail, Iran will not hesitate to deliver a ‘crushing response’.
“In the event of bad faith, breach of contract, and excessive demands by the opposing side, we have no hesitation in delivering a crushing response to the enemy,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf writes.
“They were once slapped during the war; if they wish to tread that path again, they will receive an even harder slap.”
James Reynolds19 June 2026 11:00