Israel has claimed responsibility for an airstrike in southern Lebanon that killed a senior Hezbollah military commander. According to a statement from the Israeli army, Ali Musa Daqduq was killed over the weekend south of the Litani River. The statement described him as one of Hezbollah’s most influential commanders and said he led the group’s ‘Golan File’ operations aimed at establishing bases in southern Syria.

Hezbollah has not issued any immediate comment on Israel’s claim. The report comes amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since March 2, during which Israel has taken control of several towns in the country’s south. Lebanese officials stated that the attacks have so far killed around 3,800 people, injured more than 11,700, and displaced over 1.5 million residents.

The escalation underscores the continuing intensity of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with significant humanitarian consequences in southern Lebanon.

Jordan has expressed alarm over increasing Israeli interference at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third holiest site, and reports of a joint US-Israel plan to strip the Jordanian royal family of its custodial role. The report, citing Middle East Eye, claims that US and Israeli officials discussed transferring control over appointments and sermons at the mosque to Israel, a move Jordan views as a direct challenge to its historic authority. A US official denied the allegation.

The article recounts a long history of Israeli encroachment since 1948, including Ariel Sharon’s 2000 incursion that triggered the Second Intifada. It highlights recent Israeli police presence inside the compound and the establishment of a police station there, actions deemed illegal under international law. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, a Hashemite descendant, is portrayed as facing a dilemma between resisting Israeli aggression or risking confrontation.

Regional tensions have intensified amid Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The report suggests that any Israeli attempt to alter Al-Aqsa’s status could ignite a wider religious conflict, with implications for Jordan’s stability and the broader Muslim world.

Six people were killed when two helicopters collided in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday morning. The crash occurred in the western suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, where both aircraft went down in the parking lot of an electric car dealership. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision.

According to the Brazilian fire department, the crash ignited a fire that engulfed around 20 vehicles. Fire department spokesperson Fabio Contreras said the lithium-ion batteries in the electric cars released toxic gases, making the fire difficult to control. He explained that such batteries emit highly toxic gases and increase both the heat and intensity of flames.

Contreras added that the area is densely populated, and the death toll could have been much higher if the helicopters had not crashed in the parking lot. Rescuers recovered wreckage from one helicopter containing five bodies, while the other helicopter, found about 328 feet away, contained the pilot’s body.

The United States and Iran have reached an agreement on a peace accord scheduled to be signed on June 19, with Pakistan serving as the key mediator. The memorandum of understanding is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday. The accord has been widely welcomed by world leaders, who described it as a major diplomatic breakthrough aimed at ending regional hostilities.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the agreement as a significant step toward peaceful resolution and expressed gratitude to Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other regional partners for their constructive roles. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other global leaders also praised the accord and Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

The E4 group—comprising the UK, France, Germany, and Italy—stated that they are ready to lift sanctions on Iran if progress continues on its nuclear program. Several leaders emphasized that the deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, enhance regional stability, and boost global economic security.

The United States and Iran have reached a peace agreement, according to Iranian state media reports published on June 15, 2026. The announcement came after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif declared that both nations had concluded negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal on Truth Social, stating that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen for toll-free navigation and that U.S. naval blockades would be lifted immediately.

Details released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency include a permanent ceasefire across all fronts including Lebanon, U.S. non-interference in Iran’s internal affairs, withdrawal of American forces, and lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil and energy exports. The agreement also outlines a U.S.-led reconstruction plan worth at least $300 billion and Iran’s renewed pledge not to develop nuclear weapons. Final ratification is expected through a United Nations Security Council resolution.

Reports indicate that Israeli right-wing media have sharply criticized Trump’s decision, viewing it as a strategic setback for Israel and a political victory for Tehran. The deal may compel Israel to halt its military operations in Lebanon, marking a shift in regional alignments.

US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen once a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran is formally signed. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that an agreement had been reached with Iran and that oil shipments would resume through the vital waterway. He urged the global shipping industry to prepare for the restart of oil flows.

Later, Trump clarified in an official statement that the reopening would be delayed until the formal signing of the agreement. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his government mediated the deal, which is scheduled to be signed on June 19, according to the report.

The announcement signals a potential easing of tensions between the United States and Iran, with the reopening of the Strait expected to restore normal oil transport routes once the agreement is finalized.

A small aircraft crashed in Missouri, United States, killing all 12 people on board, including 11 skydivers and the pilot. The incident occurred on Sunday at around 11:20 a.m. local time when the plane, rented by a skydiving company, took off from Butler Memorial Airport but failed to gain sufficient altitude. It then veered left and crashed approximately 200 yards from the airport.

According to a spokesperson for the Bates County Emergency Management Department, the aircraft was a Pacific Aerospace P750 model. Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson stated at a press conference that the plane was not a commercial passenger aircraft but a small local plane that had just departed from the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash occurred during takeoff.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the cause of the crash or the identities of the victims.

Maritime expert Rockford Wait of Tufts University’s Fletcher School told Al Jazeera that even after an agreement, it will take several months for the Strait of Hormuz to return to normal operations. The first step toward resuming navigation will be mine removal, and even after that process, vessel movement will begin cautiously. He said the shipping industry must regain confidence before fully resuming transit through the strait.

Wait noted that the disruption to maritime traffic has been longer than anyone initially expected, and shipping companies will likely remain hesitant in the early stages. He added that oil and gas production facilities in several Gulf countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, have been damaged and will require time to recover.

The expert emphasized that a return to pre-war conditions will depend on stability and smooth operations, estimating that several months will be needed before full normalization.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, primarily to extend birthday greetings on Trump’s 80th birthday, according to a Kremlin statement cited by AFP on Sunday. During the call, the two leaders discussed the situations in Ukraine and Iran, as well as the upcoming visit of U.S. envoys to Russia. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the discussion included details of a draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, with Trump indicating that a deal was very close.

Ushakov added that U.S. special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are closely involved in Iran-related processes, are expected to return to Russia soon. Earlier the same day, Trump posted on social media that the Iran deal could be signed that day and that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened to all following the signing.

However, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Tehran has not yet made or announced a final decision. Iranian officials said the agreement is nearing completion but emphasized that negotiations are still ongoing and no final deal has been confirmed.

The success of the current agreement between the United States and Iran depends entirely on whether US President Donald Trump can keep Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under control, according to Middle East expert Sami Hamdi. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hamdi, managing director of the risk consultancy International Interest, said Israel recently launched an attack in Lebanon to undermine the deal.

Hamdi recalled that during a previous ceasefire announced by Pakistan, Israel halted attacks on Iran but intensified operations against Lebanon. He noted that when Pakistan insisted on including Lebanon in the ceasefire, Trump appeared to alter the agreement’s terms to exclude Lebanon. The main concern now, Hamdi said, is whether Trump will again modify the deal’s conditions.

Hamdi warned that if Trump refuses to pressure Israel to withdraw forces from southern Lebanon, even while restraining attacks, the entire agreement could be jeopardized.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretariat announced that, under a new understanding reached with the United States, all military conflicts across fronts including Lebanon will be immediately suspended. The statement said that the U.S. naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports will also be lifted in full and without delay. The ceasefire and blockade withdrawal are to take effect from tonight, marking a significant de-escalation in regional tensions.

According to the statement, a formal signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding will take place on June 19. Iran added that discussions on a final agreement will begin only after the other party fulfills its commitments outlined in the memorandum. The announcement also expressed gratitude to the governments of Pakistan and Qatar for their mediation efforts.

This marks the first time a high-level Iranian government body has officially detailed the ceasefire, the lifting of the naval blockade, and the framework for future negotiations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the newly announced peace agreement between the United States and Iran, describing it as an important step toward the peaceful resolution of their longstanding conflict. In a post on social media platform X, Guterres congratulated both nations for reaching a deal that includes an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for future negotiations.

His remarks were interpreted as a sign of international support for the agreement, which follows years of heightened tensions between the two countries. Observers noted that the diplomatic breakthrough could help restore stability in the Middle East through the establishment of a ceasefire and renewed dialogue.

Analysts cautioned, however, that the ultimate success of the deal will depend on its implementation, the fulfillment of mutual commitments, and progress in subsequent negotiations.

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, describing it as the result of a broad diplomatic effort involving multiple partners. In a social media post, he called on all parties to swiftly and fully implement the deal. Macron also urged the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing its importance for regional stability and the global economy.

He stated that an international mission formed with the United Kingdom is ready to assist in reopening the strait, with necessary resources and capabilities already prepared for deployment if needed. Macron stressed that restoring unrestricted maritime navigation is vital for maintaining stability and supporting global trade.

Additionally, the French president reaffirmed France’s continued support for the Lebanese government in its efforts to strengthen state authority and establish control over armed groups within its territory.

US Vice President JD Vance welcomed the newly announced ceasefire agreement in the Middle East, describing it as the beginning of a “new era” in relations with Iran. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said the agreement to end the war against Iran has created an opportunity to establish stability in the region. He praised President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts that led to the deal.

Vance stated that the President’s actions have opened the door for real change in the region and expressed hope that relations with Iran would enter a new phase. He asserted that the United States can now confidently say Iran will never possess nuclear weapons, emphasizing that preventing Iran’s nuclear capability has been a key US objective.

According to Vance, the agreement will bring positive outcomes not only for the Middle East but also for the American people. He added that reduced regional tensions could stabilize global energy markets and lower fuel prices. Vance plans to attend the signing ceremony next week, where President Trump may also be present.

Iran has released more details about a proposed ceasefire agreement, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating that discussions on a final deal will take place within 60 days after verifying whether the United States has fulfilled its commitments. According to Tasnim News Agency, Gharibabadi said the U.S. must first implement the ceasefire, lift blockades, and release Iran’s assets before any final negotiations proceed.

He added that representatives from both countries will meet on Friday during an official ceremony to determine the framework and process for future talks. The draft memorandum of understanding reportedly includes all of Iran’s key positions, and the full text will be published after the ceremony.

Gharibabadi emphasized that the memorandum does not signify trust in the adversary, warning that Iran will closely monitor U.S. actions. His remarks indicate that Tehran currently views the agreement as preliminary, with further progress dependent on Washington’s compliance.