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Middle East crisis live: Iran says no final peace agreement reached, after Trump claims deal could be signed soon | US-Israel war on Iran
Key events
US and Iran preparing for potential agreement ahead of G7, reports say
There’s been a flurry of reports in the US media of a potential signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding in Geneva, Switzerland. Axios, CNN and Bloomberg have cited sources saying the signing ceremony may happen ahead of the G7 summit that begins in France on Monday
Reports say the delegations of the world’s largest economic powers are expected to land at Geneva airport for the summit in Evian-les-Bains, near the Swiss border.
The Israeli military said it struck 310 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in the past week, as it claimed to have killed “80 terrorists”.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also revealed it conducted a raid in the southern Lebanese village Dibbine several weeks ago. The village is located north of the IDF’s so-called “yellow line” (an area carved out and occupied by the military) and is about 12km (7.4 miles) from the Israeli border. The IDF said its troops located “significant” weapon depots during the raid.
Donald Trump has claimed that the US has been conducting a “secret mission” in the strait of Hormuz to help Gulf petrostates bypass Iran’s chokehold on oil flows – which has roiled global energy markets for months.
The US president claimed Iran was unaware that dozens of tankers had been escorted out of the blockaded channel at night with their transmitters off.
He wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform that 200 vessels had got out this way, transporting more than 100m barrels of oil to global buyers.
So what is actually going on? Jillian Ambrose and Joanna Partridge explains here:
US-Iran memorandum of understanding includes end to war in Lebanon – report
Taz Ali
Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency has published a list of terms that are reportedly in the draft memorandum of understanding with the US. It cites a source close to the Iranian negotiating team, but the details have not been confirmed publicly by either Tehran or Washington. The report says the text is yet to be finalised by the Iranian leadership.
According to the report, the draft includes 14 points:
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Permanent and immediate cessation of war on all fronts, including Lebanon.
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The US’s “commitment to non-interference in Iran’s internal affairs” and respect for its sovereignty.
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Lifting of US naval blockade within 30 days.
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Withdrawal of US forces from around Iran.
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Reopening the strait of Hormuz within 30 days “with Iranian arrangements”.
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Suspension of US sanctions on Iranian oil.
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US and allies to draw up reconstruction plans for Iran “worth at least $300bn”.
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Sixty days of negotiations to reach a final agreement “based on nuclear issues and the complete lifting of” sanctions.
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Reiterating Iran’s commitment not to produce nuclear weapons.
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During the negotiations, the US will not increase its forces in the region or impose new sanctions.
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Release $24bn in blocked Iranian funds.
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Establishing a monitoring mechanism to implement the agreement.
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Final agreement to be approved by a UN security council resolution.
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The final negotiations will not begin before the release of half of Iran’s frozen funds, the suspension of oil sanctions and the lifting of the naval blockade. “Discussions about Iran’s missile programme and support for resistance groups have been definitively removed from the agenda.”
Israel has previously said it would continue its ground operation in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreed in April which has all but collapsed. The Israeli military has taken over swathes of the country as it attempts to dismantle Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful armed proxy in the region. Reports on the ongoing discussions to end the war suggest a potential deal between the US and Iran hinges on what happens with Israel’s war in Lebanon, with Hezbollah demanding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the country.
American news outlet Axios reported that four US air force planes departed for Europe to prepare for a possible signing ceremony between the US and Iran on a deal to end the war.
The planes are reportedly heading to Geneva where US vice-president JD Vance is expected to sign on Washington’s behalf, according to Axios, citing sources familiar with the preparations.
While Donald Trump claimed a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend, Iran said it has not yet made a final decision.
Summary: Iran contradicts Trump claim to be on verge of peace deal
Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s continuing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East.
Iran’s foreign ministry has contradicted claims from Donald Trump that a peace deal between Washington and Tehran could be signed as soon as this weekend.
The deal, if confirmed, would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough yet to end the three-month-old war, which has killed thousands and sent global energy prices sharply higher. But Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, has said that while large parts of the text under negotiation have been finalised, “a final conclusion” has not been reached.
“This is a very important issue that is currently being reviewed by the relevant decision-making bodies,” Baghaei said, adding that Tehran would not compromise on its red lines.
Trump told reporters at the White House: “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran.
“The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe,” he said, adding that vice-president JD Vance could sign for the US.
Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly claimed a deal with Iran to end the war was close, but no agreement has materialised.
In other key developments:
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Trump said he was cancelling a third day of US airstrikes and bombings that he had earlier said would happen because “discussions” with Iran “have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved”. He also said on social media: “Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others.”
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Israel, however, said it was “not a party to” what prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described as an emerging memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. But the office said Netanyahu had spoken with Trump and that the final agreement at the conclusion of negotiations would include the removal of enriched material, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production, and the cessation of Iran’s support for its terrorist proxies in the region – measures that have been red lines for Iran in the past.
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The strait of Hormuz would open “as soon as we sign” the documents of the “great settlement” reached with Iran, Trump said. “The whole Middle East is happy.”
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Iranian media said the country’s forces had stopped a “violating tanker” from entering the strait of Hormuz. The report from the Fars news agency – closely linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards – came shortly after the sound of explosions were reportedly heard near the port city of Bandar Abbas.
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Trump had earlier posted on social media that the US would seize Iran’s Kharg Island “in the not too distant future”, but later said the seizure would be off the table “if we sign this agreement”.
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The price of oil rose after Trump threatened a “very hard” attack on Iran, but plunged hours later after he said he was cancelling the strikes. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 1.9% to $86.08 a barrel, on top of a 2.6% drop overnight, and Brent dropped 1.5% to $89.08 a barrel, having fallen nearly 3% overnight. Asian stocks joined a global rally, with South Korea’s Kospi surging 7.4% and Japan’s Nikkei up 2.7%.
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A strike wounded 10 staff members of a hospital in the Lebanese city of Tyre on Thursday, the facility’s director told the AFP news agency, as Israeli raids continued in the country’s south. All three of the historic city’s hospitals have been hit since the start of the latest war between Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel in early March.
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India’s government voiced a “strong protest” after three Indian seafarers were killed in US military strikes against oil tankers travelling through the strait of Hormuz.
Twelve police officers and a police dog were injured during protests on 2 June.
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Mark Rutte says Nato needs ‘more forces, more resources’ ahead of defence ministers meeting– Europe live | World news
Morning opening: G7 commits to ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’
Jakub Krupa
Despite some early concerns about Donald Trump’s position, the G7 leaders meeting in France have agreed on a statement declaring their “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
The statement, published overnight, says:
“We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasise there is now a new momentum.
To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities.
We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production.”
In a classic Trump-era move, the statement on Ukraine also includes some pointed praise of the US president in a pointed attempt to keep him on side:
“We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as president Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the strait of Hormuz.”
I guess, whatever works, right?
The leaders will continue their talks today discussing economic growth and AI, with the latter session likely to get some attention as they will meet with the bosses of OpenAI and Anthropic.
Later tonight, France’s Emmanuel Macron will host the US president at the Palace of Versailles to mark the 250th anniversary of the US independence. Unusually enthused Trump said last night that it was “a real deal,” and that he was looking forward to it.
Separately, we will hear from Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte this morning ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the alliance’s defence ministers – and less than a month before the much-dreaded Ankara summit, which once again will be all about keeping Trump on side.
Lots to cover today.
It’s Wednesday, 17 June 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
Potential reopening of dialogue with Russia ‘clearly debated among allies,’ Rutte says
Rutte gets asked about potential reopening of channels with Russia, as advocated by some leaders, including Finland’s Alexander Stubb.
He says “clearly it is something debated among allies,” primarily through the EU, but it’s not something that came up at the Nato level so far.
“It’s really a discussion playing out in the EU at the moment, and of course we are following that, and will be supportive wherever we can.”
Rutte gets pressed on his points about Europe taking more responsibility for their own defence, as he gets challenged that this could take away from their support for Ukraine.
The has the two need to go “hand in hand, and everybody realises that.”
Rutte says that the G7 statement on Ukraine today shows that all Nato allies are “completely commited to making sure that Ukraine maintains its position in the fight against Russia, and is able to defend itself.”
He says the US also continues its support in areas that only they can provide, including the air defence Patriot systems, which is paid for by European and Canadian allies.
He says he wants the summit to deliver “an absolute ironclad commitment” to Nato spending pledges from last year, and to Ukraine.
‘We are not naive,’ Rutte says on reports China helps Russia with military training
Rutte also gets asked about China’s apparent help to Russia through training, as recently disclosed by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
He says Nato is “constantly trying to follow exactly what China is doing.”
“We are not naive. We follow everything exactly. I cannot tell you more at this moment, or at least in this open press conference, but you can be assured that we follow every [bit].”
Rutte gets asked about the Czech Republic’s troubles with getting to 2% defence spending under Andrej Babiš.
He says:
“We know each other for many years, and I know that the Czech Republic is as committed as everyone to what we decided in The Hague.
Czechia did not reach the 2% last year, but I know that the Czech government is working very hard to make sure that when it comes to a credible trajectory, it will be there.”
Rutte says he expects Zelenskyy to have a full programme of meetings at Nato’s summit in Ankara next month, but notably “no sit down with all the 32 leaders.”
Rutte gets asked about what Ukraine is likely to get from the Nato summit next month.
He says there were already some positive statement coming out of the G7 in France.
He says Nato will “focus particularly, of course, on what Ukraine needs to maintain the fight,” including the flow of military equipment, including the US interceptors for the Patriot system.
He says the focus will be on “making sure the money is there.”
“I’m pretty confident that collectively we’ll make sure you have what you need as far as Europeans and Americans can help to defend yourself,” he says.
Rutte gets pushed further about the question on timeline, which he completely avoided answering at the first time of asking.
He gives a muddled answer, saying it’s impossible to answer this question.
“It’s not that you can answer that question with a yes or no. It’s clear that US has adjusted its commitment to the Nato force model, but it’s in technical terms, it is not a yes or no.”
Rutte gets asked about spending commitments, and some countries that appear to be dragging their feet.
He says that overall, the increases are “really staggering,” with many countries “really ramping up” their spending.
Rutte also gets asked about the potential Nato/European assistance in the strait of Hormuz.
He says it comes outside the Nato framework, but it is clear that France and the UK are coordinating on this, and it was discussed at the G7 summit in France.
“Whether Nato will play a role there, yes or no… if helpful, of course we will play a role, but if they can do it without us, also okay; we are always ready to help if so wanted.”
Let’s say journalists are somewhat suspicious of the positive spin Rutte is putting on the changes to the Nato Force Model.
He gets asked about them further.
He stays on message:
“We have already seen that, as the United States has adjusted its pledge contributions, other allies have stepped up to contribute more, in some cases completely, in some cases nearly, but there are also areas that require more work, but the overall picture is looking good.”
Keir Starmer says Labour should focus on a subsequent Manchester mayoral race if Andy Burnham wins in Makerfield.
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