Iran’s armed forces announced on Friday that they continue to maintain maximum war readiness, with no change in their level of preparation. In a statement, the military said it remains fully alert despite a truce agreement signed with the United States aimed at ending hostilities.

The statement emphasized that Iran’s forces are prepared to defend the country’s security, sovereignty, and national interests if the memorandum of understanding with the United States is violated. It added that troops remain vigilant and ready to act on the supreme commander’s orders. The military also pledged to continue strengthening its capabilities.

According to the statement, Iran’s leadership believes that the steadfast resistance of its people and the sacrifices of its armed forces have compelled adversaries to respect the Iranian nation and to pursue ceasefire and reconciliation.

Iran announced that it will not collect tolls from ships using the Strait of Hormuz for the next 60 days. The decision allows vessels applying to use the waterway to travel free of charge during this period. The Persian Gulf Waterway Authority has been instructed to process applications quickly and on a priority basis to implement the goals of a memorandum of understanding.

Tehran described the move as part of a broader assertion of control over the strategic strait, calling it a historic victory against the United States. Iran also rejected a European plan to deploy a naval mission to guard ships in the area. The announcement followed the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Iran, after which oil tankers began moving freely through the vital maritime route.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that, due to special circumstances and existing security risks, ships must follow designated routes and schedules set by authorities. The council said this approach would help gradually restore normal maritime operations.

Iranian spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran is in no hurry to meet US representatives in Switzerland. He explained that a memorandum of understanding to end the war has already been signed electronically, reducing the need for an immediate meeting. Baghaei added that Iran plans to hold a meeting in the coming days.

According to a report by US media outlet Axios, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is planning a visit to Switzerland for discussions, though the trip remains subject to change. The report also mentioned that US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Switzerland for a round of talks.

The statements and reports indicate that while both sides are preparing for further diplomatic engagement, neither appears to be rushing into direct meetings following the electronic signing of the peace memorandum.

Iran’s National Security Committee chief Ebrahim Azizi has warned that the United States will have to pay a price if it fails to honor the commitments made under a memorandum of understanding with Tehran. He stated that the Trump administration did not uphold the first clause of the agreement, which required both sides to immediately and permanently halt military operations on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon.

In a post on social media platform X, Azizi said that Washington’s failure to adhere to the first clause demonstrates that the United States still lacks the goodwill necessary to gain the trust of the Iranian nation. He added that if this situation continues, the U.S. will face significant consequences.

Azizi further noted that the first response to the violation of the agreement’s commitments would be an intelligent and deterrent reaction from Iran. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera, according to the source.

Iran has accused French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot of hypocrisy following his recent comments about the situation in Iran. The accusation was made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei in a post on social media platform X, where he criticized Barrot for remaining silent when Iranian cities were bombed and civilians were killed, and even alleged that Barrot was complicit in those events.

Baghaei’s remarks came in response to a video statement by Barrot, in which the French minister said that the Iranian people had been defeated in war and were caught between repression and bombings. The Iranian spokesperson argued that Barrot’s sudden concern for human rights appeared only when it served France’s political interests, accusing him of selective morality.

The exchange highlights growing diplomatic tension between Tehran and Paris, as both sides publicly challenge each other’s positions on human rights and regional conflicts.

Iran’s national football team is preparing to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA over travel and logistical restrictions imposed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. According to a spokesperson for the Iran Football Federation, the team had submitted its full preparation plan well before the tournament began, yet continues to face repeated limitations affecting its training schedule and logistics. The federation claims these restrictions are disrupting the technical staff’s ability to execute their plans effectively.

Iran had sought permission to travel from its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to Los Angeles two days before its group-stage match against Belgium, but the request was reportedly denied. The team also expressed concern over post-match visa and stay policies, as U.S. authorities required Iran to leave the country immediately after each match. Players were forced to return to Mexico within hours of their first game, raising criticism over inadequate rest time.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Taskforce, stated that Iran had been informed earlier about the “match day minus one” policy, allowing entry one day before and departure on the same day of the match.

The planned peace talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland were abruptly postponed on June 19, 2026, after US Vice President JD Vance canceled his trip just hours before the scheduled meeting. The discussions were intended to follow a recently signed memorandum of understanding aimed at easing tensions, with Pakistan joining as a digital intermediary. The White House confirmed the postponement, citing the complexity and uncertainty of the negotiation process.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry stated that the meeting to discuss the implementation of a proposed 14-point peace agreement would not take place for now. Iranian media reported that Tehran had not yet decided whether its delegation would travel to Switzerland. Meanwhile, the White House expressed interest in resuming technical-level talks soon.

International reports linked the delay to renewed violence in the Middle East, where Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon followed Hezbollah attacks that killed several Israeli soldiers. The escalation has cast doubt on the future of the Iran-US understanding, as Iran had insisted that halting Israeli military operations in Lebanon was a key condition for progress.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint United States and Israel attack. The funeral ceremonies will begin on July 4 in Tehran, followed by additional events in Qom on July 7, and burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9, according to Iranian state media.

Khamenei’s burial was initially scheduled for March but was postponed due to the prolonged conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The revised schedule outlines three days of official mourning ceremonies in Tehran before the final interment in Mashhad. Khamenei, aged 86, was killed in February at his residence during the joint attack.

Ayatollah Khamenei had led Iran since 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who spearheaded the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ended the Pahlavi monarchy. Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has assumed leadership but has remained out of public view since the onset of the war.

The Iran war, though relatively short in duration, has caused extensive destruction and is expected to have long-lasting global effects. The month-long conflict claimed the lives of 13 U.S. soldiers, over 3,300 Iranians, 3,826 people in Lebanon, around 60 in Israel, and many others across Gulf nations. The war disrupted global energy markets by blocking key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, forcing energy rationing in Asia and Africa and disrupting supply chains for goods from semiconductors to fertilizers. The World Bank cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5 percent, the lowest since the pandemic.

Moody’s Analytics estimated U.S. consumer and taxpayer losses at about $1.32 trillion, with gasoline prices peaking at $4.56 per gallon. Rising fuel costs increased airfares by 27 percent and fertilizer prices by 47 percent, straining agriculture. Mortgage rates rose to 6.52 percent amid uncertainty. The Middle East suffered the most severe economic blow, with Gulf GDP growth projected to fall to 1.3 percent. Iran’s reconstruction plan totals $300 billion. The Pentagon reported $29 billion in operational costs, excluding base repairs. U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating dropped to 40 percent, reflecting political pressure from war-driven inflation.

The United States has lifted its naval blockade on Iran, allowing all types of vessels to enter and leave Iranian ports and coastal areas. The announcement was made on Thursday by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which confirmed that ships traveling to and from Iran’s ports in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman will no longer face restrictions from U.S. forces. However, CENTCOM stated that American naval presence in the region will continue to ensure that all aspects of the recent agreement with Iran are properly implemented.

The decision follows a digital agreement signed between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Donald Trump, which took effect immediately. The accord includes provisions to end hostilities, address the situation in Lebanon, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and remove the U.S. naval blockade on Iran. CENTCOM did not disclose further details of the agreement’s terms.

Both sides are expected to begin a 60-day negotiation process to reach a final deal covering Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, according to the report.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief nuclear planner Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that Tehran will not accept any violation of the Washington memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the United States. He issued the warning in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on June 19, 2026.

Ghalibaf stated that if the opposing side engages in misconduct, breaches the agreement, or makes excessive demands, Iran will respond firmly without hesitation. He further remarked that those who once faced consequences during wartime would face an even harsher response if they repeat their past actions.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, underscores Iran’s firm stance on adherence to the MoU and signals potential escalation if the agreement is violated.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, stating that the initiative was driven primarily by Washington’s eagerness rather than Tehran’s. He said Iranian officials worked sincerely, but the U.S. side, led by its president, showed the most urgency and pressure to finalize the deal. Khamenei acknowledged having personal reservations but approved the agreement after Iran’s president pledged to protect national and resistance front interests.

The memorandum, titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” was signed during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit. Macron announced that the deal would pave the way for lasting peace and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The formal signing ceremony is still planned to take place in Geneva, Switzerland.

Under the terms, the U.S. will lift its naval blockade on Iran within 30 days and withdraw forces from surrounding areas within another 30 days, while Iran will ensure safe commercial shipping for 60 days. Both sides now have 60 days to negotiate a final agreement.

The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement aimed at achieving a ceasefire, providing Iran with significant economic benefits. Under the deal, Washington will lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports and allow Tehran to resume oil exports even before a final nuclear accord is reached. In return, Iran has pledged to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for international commercial shipping for 60 days, with the option to impose transit fees afterward. The agreement temporarily defers the toughest nuclear concessions to future negotiations.

Analysts described the deal as largely favorable to Iran, citing eased sanctions, restored oil trade, and reduced military pressure. Nicole Grajewski of Sciences Po noted that Tehran gained tangible relief in exchange for limited new nuclear commitments. However, critics such as former US Treasury official Miyyad Maleki warned that easing banking restrictions could weaken Washington’s leverage. Supporters of diplomacy, including Jamal Abdi of the National Iranian American Council, praised the accord as a correction to failed pressure policies.

Following news of the agreement, global oil prices fell, and US gasoline prices dropped below four dollars per gallon for the first time in months.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that Iran could face renewed naval blockades if it fails to uphold commitments made under a recent agreement with the United States. He also indicated that the US military is prepared to launch operations if necessary. The statement was reported by the BBC.

As part of the latest deal, the United States agreed to lift its naval blockade on Iran, which had previously restricted Iranian maritime movements. Hegseth emphasized that Iran must abandon its ambitions to develop nuclear weapons and adhere to its promises under the agreement.

He further mentioned that several European countries are ready to participate in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, and urged the United Kingdom to take a more active role in the initiative.

A recently published memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States has sparked renewed debate over its terms. Analysts say the document shows significant concessions from Washington, while Tehran’s immediate commitments appear limited. The agreement, divided into two phases, includes provisions to normalize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, lift US naval blockades, and ease sanctions on Iran’s oil, petrochemical, banking, insurance, and transport sectors. These measures could bring Iran an estimated 60 to 70 billion dollars in annual economic benefits.

The memorandum also mentions releasing Iran’s frozen assets and creating a 300 billion dollar reconstruction fund, to be developed within 60 days by the US and regional partners. Iran reaffirmed that it will not pursue nuclear weapons, though detailed obligations on uranium enrichment and long-term nuclear activities are deferred to a final deal. Critics argue the agreement lacks clear commitments on Iran’s missile programs, human rights, and regional armed groups.

Analysts warn that while the deal may ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the long-term stability of the peace initiative remains uncertain if the upcoming 60-day negotiations stall.