\u201cI would say the 60-day period officially started today. It was signed late, and it may have even been signed technically, you know, because of the time shift, I think it\u2019s signed technically today, Iran time,\u201d he said during a press briefing at the White House on Thursday.<\/p>\n
If this is true, that would set a deadline for the final agreement between Iran and the United States as 17 August.<\/p>\n
The interim pact signed by President Donald Trump<\/a> and Iranian leaders kicked the hardest issues down the road \u2060to the next phase of negotiations, with no \u200bguarantee \u200bthey will ever \u200bbe resolved, Reuters reports. Most analysts are sceptical \u200bthe two \u200csides can \u200bforge \u200ba final settlement within the 60-day window laid out in the memorandum of understanding.<\/p>\n Vance also confirms that Congress is due to be briefed about the agreement with Iran soon. \u201cWe do plan to brief Congress very soon,\u201d Vance told reporters in the White House briefing room.<\/p>\n In the same press briefing, he said he is \u201cnot at all\u201d worried about being blamed for any potential fall out of the agreement with Iran.<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n When asked about criticism<\/a> Donald Trump is facing from some Republicans over the deal, JD Vance told them to \u201chave a little bit of faith in the president of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea that he is going to strike a deal that\u2019s bad for the American people, it\u2019s preposterous\u201d Vance said, adding that the administration has to continue to explain the deal to the American people.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that when people get to understand not just the agreement, but our negotiating posture as a country, they will realize this is an excellent thing for the American people,\u201d Vance told reporters. \u201cThat\u2019s part of our job. We\u2019ve got to tell the story about what this means for Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>US blockade in strait of Hormuz has ended, says US central command<\/p>\n US central command (Centcom) said in a statement on social media that they have ended their blockade in the strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, US forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President\u2019s direction,\u201d the statement<\/a> said. \u201cAmerican forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. All US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased.\u201d<\/p>\n The US blockade of the strait had been in effect since 13 April, with control of the waterway being a key point of conflict in the war. Marine Traffic data showed that at least seven ships have crossed the strait so far today.<\/p>\n The Centcom statement added that naval ships will remain in the general area \u201cto make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.26 EDT<\/p>\n EU policy chief says she was representing bloc’s position on Middle East The EU\u2019s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she was representing the bloc\u2019s position on the Middle East, after Israel<\/a> announced it was severing diplomatic relations over allegations she had compared the country to apartheid South Africa.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s foreign minister Gideon Sa\u2019ar announced on X earlier on Thursday that he would sever all contact with Kallas over a Euractiv report that she had compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.<\/a><\/p>\n Sa\u2019ar said that she had for some time Kallas had been \u201cacting obsessively and with blatant unfairness toward the state of Israel\u201d, while accusing her of a \u201cblood libel\u201d over the alleged comments.<\/p>\n Kallas told reporters she had made tens if not hundreds of statements on Israel and Gaza \u201cand you see what I have been saying\u201d but did not deny the report. \u201cI cannot fight shadows all the time,\u201d she said, asking reporters to refer to her public statements.<\/p>\n She said she was representing the EU and \u201cit is true we don\u2019t always see eye to eye\u201d with the Israeli government.<\/p>\n The former Estonian prime minister has faced criticism inside the EU for not denying the remarks.<\/p>\n EU leaders meeting in Brussels will express \u201cgrave concern\u201d over the \u201cdeteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including the persistent and devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza\u201d, according to a draft summit communique due to be released on Friday. But the bloc has been unable to agree trade sanctions against Israel. Under growing pressure to take action, Kallas announced on Monday that she would ask for \u201ca list of options for possible trade measures\u201d, including stopping commerce from occupied territories.<\/p>\n EU diplomats say it remains unclear whether the bloc can find a majority to pass sanctions on Israel.<\/p>\n European Union’s high representative of foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas. Photograph: Olivier Matthys\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Israel has to \u2018respect this peace process\u2019, says US vice-president JD Vance, adding that civilian deaths \u2018not acceptable\u2019<\/p>\n Asked about Trump\u2019s recent criticisms<\/a> of Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel\u2019s attacks on Lebanon, Vance says that while Israel has the right to defend itself, \u201cthe Israelis, just like everybody else, have to respect this peace process.\u201d<\/p>\n He added:<\/p>\n The president has grown frustrated sometimes that we seem to be right on the cusp of a major breakthrough in the agreement, and then all of a sudden, there\u2019s a major explosion that goes off in a civilian population center in Beirut, and a lot of people who have nothing to do with Hezbollah lose their lives. That\u2019s not acceptable.<\/p>\n Vance also said that he may go to Switzerland for talks with Iran<\/a> this weekend, but that the plan could change.<\/p>\n \u201cWe think these technical negotiations are going to start sometime this weekend. That\u2019s still the plan, but that could change,\u201d Vance told journalists at the White House.<\/p>\n US vice-president JD Vance speaks during a press briefing. Photograph: Ken Cedeno\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n US vice-president JD Vance is asked about the shift in Trump\u2019s stance regarding Iran\u2019s ballistic missile arsenal.<\/p>\n Trump stated on 28 February that destroying Iran\u2019s missiles and missile industry was a key objective<\/a> of the war. Yesterday, however, he told reporters in Paris that it would be \u201cunfair\u201d for Iran to not have \u201csome\u201d ballistic missiles, because other countries have them.<\/p>\n Attempting to clarify Trump\u2019s comments, Vance says:<\/p>\n Countries don\u2019t give up the right of self-defence.<\/p>\n Israel doesn\u2019t give up the right of self-defence if Hezbollah fires rockets or drones at Israel. The Iranians don\u2019t give up the right of self-defence in their country.<\/p>\n But we do expect that, as part of the final deal, they are not going to be able to build the kind of missiles that can broadly threaten the entire world.<\/p>\n Vance also repeated the administration\u2019s claims that the US\u2019s war has destroyed Iran\u2019s military and nuclear capabilities, but it has been reported<\/a> that US intelligence estimates suggest that Iran has retained about 70% of its pre-war ballistic and cruise missile stockpile.<\/p>\n The vice-president also stresses that \u201cthe United States isn\u2019t giving up a cent of money to Iran\u201d and that the sanctions relief and other economic benefits in the bargain \u201conly happens if the Iranians perform\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Vance says 60-day-period to reach final Iran agreement starts today<\/p>\n JD Vance has said that the 60-day period in which to reach a final agreement with Iran<\/a> has started today.<\/p>\n \u201cI would say the 60-day period officially started today. It was signed late, and it may have even been signed technically, you know, because of the time shift, I think it\u2019s signed technically today, Iran time,\u201d he said during a press briefing at the White House on Thursday.<\/p>\n If this is true, that would set a deadline for the final agreement between Iran and the United States as 17 August.<\/p>\n The interim pact signed by President Donald Trump<\/a> and Iranian leaders kicked the hardest issues down the road \u2060to the next phase of negotiations, with no \u200bguarantee \u200bthey will ever \u200bbe resolved, Reuters reports. Most analysts are sceptical \u200bthe two \u200csides can \u200bforge \u200ba final settlement within the 60-day window laid out in the memorandum of understanding.<\/p>\n Vance also confirms that Congress is due to be briefed about the agreement with Iran soon. \u201cWe do plan to brief Congress very soon,\u201d Vance told reporters in the White House briefing room.<\/p>\n In the same press briefing, he said he is \u201cnot at all\u201d worried about being blamed for any potential fall out of the agreement with Iran.<\/p>\n JD Vance holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington. Photograph: Eric Lee\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Palestinian journalist Hind Khoudary has reported the \u201cfirst explosion heard in days\u201d inside Gaza, and accuses Israel<\/a> of violating the ceasefire agreement.<\/p>\n Reporting to Al Jazeera<\/a>, she wrote: \u201cThis is the first explosion we\u2019ve had in Gaza City over the past couple of days, which have been calm and quiet. Minutes after the strike locals said the target was a jeep driven by civilians.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly one of the three victims has been identified. Abdul Jawad Abu Lebn was set to get married next week. Wedding invitations were found inside the car.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Khoudary, the health ministry said that the bodies found inside were badly disfigured \u2013 which made it hard to identify who was inside.<\/p>\n She also reported that a girl was killed in Israeli gunfire in Beit Lahia. \u201cSo we have been seeing a series of Israeli attacks in which more people have been killed and a lot of others injured,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n Abdul Jawad Abu Laban was killed along with two others in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a civilian Jeep near the Saraya junction in central Gaza City on Thursday evening, as he was preparing for his wedding scheduled for next week. Photograph: Mohammed M Skaik\/Jna Press\/Nexpher\/ZUMA Press Wire\/ShutterstockShare<\/a>Pakistan\u2019s foreign ministry says that signing ceremony in Switzerland cancelled<\/p>\n Pakistan\u2019s foreign ministry has said that the signing ceremony in Switzerland, which was due to take place on Friday, is cancelled as it understood to have already been signed remotely.<\/p>\n \u201cThe proposed visit has been postponed as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has already been electronically signed, has entered into force, and is now under implementation,\u201d spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said, adding Pakistan would support the next phase of several \u201ctechnical-level\u201d tracks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.00 EDT<\/p>\n The Kuwaiti and Iranian foreign ministers have discussed the US agreement in their first known call since the start of the war.<\/p>\n The foreign ministry of Iran and Kuwait has said that representatives from both countries spoke about the deal over the phone.<\/p>\n Kuwait\u2019s foreign minister sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has said he hopes his country will \u201ccontribute to enhancing stability in the region, ensuring the security and freedom of navigation in the strait of Hormuz, and addressing outstanding issues through the achievement of sustainable solutions,\u201d in a statement issued by the Kuwaiti authorities.<\/p>\n Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there needs to be continued dialogue within the Gulf to \u201cenhance mutual cooperation and resolve existing ambiguities,\u201d the Iranian foreign ministry said in its statement.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, held a meeting with Beirut negotiators as they prepare for the next round of talks with Israeli counterparts in Washington next week, his office has said.<\/p>\n The negotiations are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, with Aoun directing the Lebanese delegation of his country\u2019s position, including \u201cthe final cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the lands they occupy\u201d, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement posted on social media.<\/p>\n Other key demands include \u201cthe deployment of the Lebanese army to the international borders, the return of Lebanese prisoners, and the launch of the reconstruction campaign\u201d.<\/p>\n In a statement yesterday, Aoun expressed hope that next week\u2019s fifth round of talks \u201cwill be more positive, particularly considering the US administration\u2019s great interest in Lebanon\u201d.<\/p>\n A billboard of Lebanese president Joseph Aoun with the message, \u2018Diplomacy is the way to end war in Lebanon\u2019 along a major road in the coastal city of Sidon as displaced families return to their homes in southern Lebanon on Monday. Photograph: Fadel Itani\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.04 EDT<\/p>\n UK wholesale gas prices have fallen to their lowest level since the start of the Iran<\/a> war.<\/p>\n The month-ahead UK gas price fell as low as 95p per therm this morning, following the signing of the interim peace deal by the US and Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the lowest since 2 March, the Monday after the conflict began. Reminder: Brent crude oil has also fallen to its lowest since 2 March today (see earlier post<\/a>).<\/p>\n However, this still leaves UK gas prices above their level just before the start of the war \u2013 78.57p per therm.<\/p>\n Continential European gas prices have also fallen today, down 3% to \u20ac40.6 per megawatt hour.<\/p>\n Hopes for a resumption of traffic through the strait of Hormuz are pushing down energy costs, despite concerns that it will take time for the situation to return to prewar levels.<\/p>\n Oxford Economics say:<\/p>\n double quotation markWith the new US-Iran ceasefire including an agreement to reopen the strait of Hormuz, Oxford Economics anticipates an initial surge in traffic as ships that have been stuck are finally able to exit. Flows are then expected to slow until confidence builds that the ceasefire is durable. The firm expects the recovery in shipping to be gradual as logistics are adjusted and oil and gas production restarts.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow our business live blog for the latest economic and financial news:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Three people killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon – state media<\/p>\n Three people have been killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media, despite the signing of the US-Iran agreement<\/a> which provides for the end of the war on all fronts in the Middle East, including Lebanon.<\/p>\n Lebanon\u2019s official National News Agency reported an \u201cenemy drone targeted a car\u201d in Kfar Tebnit, a village near the city of Nabatiyeh, killing two people. Another drone attack in the neighbouring village of Zebdine killed one person, according to the news agency.<\/p>\n An Israeli construction vehicle drives past an Israeli flag covering part of a destroyed building in the southern Lebanese village of Taybeh near the border with Israel. Photograph: Jalaa Marey\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Israeli military said one of its soldiers was killed last night in an incident in southern Lebanon that left seven others injured.<\/p>\n While Israel\u2019s strikes in Lebanon have been sporadic since a ceasefire was announced in the country in April, the fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah<\/a> has not stopped. The Iran-backed group, however, has not claimed responsibility for any new attacks against Israel since the US-Iran agreement was announced earlier this week.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.36 EDT<\/p>\n Ships pass through strait of Hormuz, according to shipping tracker<\/p>\n At least seven vessels have crossed the strait of Hormuz so far today, according to Marine Traffic data.<\/p>\n Four cargo ships, a French flagged LNG tanker and a Cook Islands flagged bitumen tanker all exited the strait towards the Gulf of Oman \u2013 CNN reports<\/a>. Additionally, a Panama flagged Starway entered the strait heading toward the Gulf.<\/p>\n This marks an increase in traffic on the strait, but still far below the prewar average of about 135 ships per day moving through the vital waterway.<\/p>\n This comes after the route was reopened as part of a deal between the US and Iran<\/a> was made on Wednesday.<\/p>\n European leaders have largely been sidelined from the negotiations, but expressed relief that the strait of Hormuz would reopen, allowing the flow of oil to resume. Emmanuel Macron said it would put a stop to a \u201csituation of great instability that had terrible consequences for our economies\u201d.<\/p>\n President of the Philippines Ferdinand R Marcos Jr was also optimistic, saying<\/a> the freedom of navigation returning to the Hormuz strait was \u201cwhat we have been hoping for since the day after the war started\u201d.<\/p>\n Vessels at the strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. Photograph: ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.01 EDT<\/p>\n Pakistan and Turkey\u2019s politicians hope for \u201clasting peace\u201d in the region, after discussing the US and Iran<\/a> peace deal over the phone.<\/p>\n According to the office of Pakistan\u2019s foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, he had a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, about the news of the deal.<\/p>\n \u201cFidan congratulated Pakistan on the historic signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran and endorsed by Pakistan as the mediator,\u201d a statement said.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth leaders expressed hope that this significant development would contribute to lasting peace, stability, and progress in the region and beyond,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n![\"JD](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3490.jpg\")
JD Vance holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington. Photograph: Eric Lee\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Jennifer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Jennifer_Rankin,_L.png\")
Jennifer Rankin<\/p>\n![\"Graeme](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781805611_93_Graeme-Wearden,-L.png\")
Graeme Wearden<\/p>\n