The Iran war concluded with what has been described as a conditional surrender by the United States, following a preliminary agreement between the Trump administration and Iran. President Donald Trump had earlier insisted that only Iran’s unconditional surrender could end the conflict, but the final deal reversed that stance. Conservative Republicans and war advocates have sharply criticized the agreement, calling it a major foreign policy mistake. Under the deal, Iran will regain access to previously frozen billions of dollars and receive a $300 billion reconstruction fund, along with partial rights to collect fees from commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz within 60 days.

Critics argue that the agreement represents a strategic defeat for the US, while supporters note that continuing the war would have caused further loss of life and economic damage. Trump defended his decision, saying the deal prevented prolonged bombing and economic collapse. Analysts suggest the war weakened the US militarily and financially, costing thousands of lives and nearly $1 trillion.

The new accord leaves Iran’s nuclear capabilities for future negotiation, raising fears that Tehran may pursue nuclear weapons more aggressively. Talks are expected to extend beyond the initial 60-day period.

As U.S. President Donald Trump prepared to celebrate his 80th birthday at the White House, a long-anticipated peace deal with Iran aimed at extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz was nearly finalized. However, just hours before the signing, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut, killing at least three people. Trump publicly condemned the attack on Truth Social, calling it ill-timed, and later had a heated phone exchange with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly using harsh language.

The incident exposed growing tensions between the two leaders after more than three months of war with Iran. Trump, facing domestic pressure ahead of the November midterm elections, sought to end the conflict and lower oil prices, while Netanyahu insisted on continuing the fight until Iran’s defeat. Analysts noted that Netanyahu’s political future depends on the war’s outcome, with Israeli elections due in October and public opinion demanding Hezbollah’s destruction.

Talks between the U.S. and Iran remain uncertain after the Beirut strike, with the situation now hinging on developments in Lebanon and whether Iran can restrain Hezbollah.

U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly pushed for the immediate signing of a deal with Iran on Wednesday at France’s Versailles Palace, surprising French President Emmanuel Macron and his own advisers. Although a formal ceremony had been scheduled two days later in Lucerne, Switzerland, Trump insisted on finalizing the agreement that night with Macron’s assistance. The deal was signed in the palace’s Lower Gallery, but subsequent violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon led Iran to withdraw from the process, canceling the planned Lucerne event.

The agreement drew sharp criticism within the United States, including from Trump’s supporters. Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker described the $300 billion reconstruction fund in the deal as excessive compared to the Obama-era Iran accord. Trump defended his decision online, claiming U.S. military strength forced Iran to negotiate and that no funds would be released for 60 days.

The rushed signing followed months of conflict, falling global oil reserves, and Republican concerns over economic fallout before midterm elections. Internal divisions persisted, with intelligence and defense officials doubting Iran’s compliance, while economic and energy advisers urged an end to the costly war.

US Vice President JD Vance has departed for Switzerland to participate in discussions between the United States and Iran. According to a report by Pakistan’s Geo News, he left for Switzerland on Sunday, June 21, local time. The talks are expected to focus on nuclear matters and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Before his departure on Saturday, June 20, Vance told reporters that he was hopeful about progress in both the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire discussions. He noted that despite the headlines, the situation in Lebanon appeared to be improving slightly, with tensions showing signs of easing.

Vance emphasized that the situation required ongoing monitoring and management to ensure that both Israel and Lebanon remain safe and stable, underscoring the United States’ continued engagement in regional stability efforts.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new interim Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, a day after retiring the historic Boeing 747 that served U.S. presidents for over three decades. The aircraft, valued at $400 million and gifted by the government of Qatar, has sparked intense political and legal debate in Washington. Critics argue that accepting such a costly gift violates federal rules limiting gifts to $50 per source annually.

Trump dismissed the criticism, calling the offer too significant to reject, while a Pentagon spokesperson said the aircraft was accepted in compliance with federal regulations. The plane, named “VC-25B Bridge,” cost an additional $1 billion to convert for presidential use and will serve temporarily until two new presidential aircraft arrive in 2027 and 2028. Critics warn that the conversion costs could divert funds from the delayed Sentinel ICBM modernization program.

The aircraft, painted in red, white, blue, and gold, will lead a flyover during the July 4 celebrations marking America’s 250th Independence anniversary. It replaces the aging presidential fleet, one of which suffered a mechanical failure earlier this year.

Australia has confirmed its first detection of the H5 strain of bird flu, according to Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. She announced on Saturday that researchers identified the virus in a brown skua, a wild seabird found in a remote area of Western Australia. The country’s national science agency verified the finding through laboratory testing. Collins added that another bird, a giant petrel, showed possible signs of infection.

Before this discovery, Australia had been the only continent where the H5 type of avian influenza had not been detected. The virus is known to cause severe harm to poultry and wild bird populations. Collins described the finding as disappointing but not entirely unexpected, given the global spread of H5 bird flu.

She emphasized that there have been no reports of mass bird deaths or infections in poultry farms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the situation concerning and said his government would take measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

Russia’s Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has expressed skepticism about the stability of the recent agreement between the United States and Iran. In a post on the Russian social media platform Max, he warned that the deal could easily collapse due to new provocations or attacks, particularly in Lebanon. Medvedev said it would be premature to expect lasting peace under the current circumstances.

The statement comes as Russia and Iran have deepened their military and economic cooperation since the start of the Ukraine war. However, Moscow’s limited response to the recent US-Israel-Iran conflict—restricted mainly to diplomatic and verbal support—has highlighted the boundaries of their partnership.

Medvedev’s remarks suggest that Moscow views the US-Iran understanding as fragile and vulnerable to regional instability, underscoring Russia’s cautious stance in Middle Eastern affairs.

The U.S. Department of Defense requires an additional $800 billion to fund the ongoing Iran war and other non-war expenditures, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. He disclosed this during a phone call with U.S. lawmakers earlier this week, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. A supplementary budget proposal is expected to be sent to Congress within days, including allocations for defense as well as non-defense sectors such as agriculture and disaster relief. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House has commented on the report, and Reuters could not independently verify it.

In April, a Pentagon official told Reuters that approximately $250 billion had already been spent on the Iran war, marking the first official cost estimate. The total cost of the conflict, launched jointly by President Donald Trump and Israel on February 28, remains unclear. A previous $200 billion funding proposal faced strong opposition in Congress.

Budget debates continue as the White House defends Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion annual military budget, which reflects Republican priorities ahead of the November midterm elections.

A new Boeing 747-8 jet, gifted by Qatar to the United States last year, has been unveiled as the next Air Force One. The U.S. military completed extensive refurbishments on the aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million. During a speech at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, President Donald Trump described the plane as a luxurious flying White House unlike anything seen before.

According to a U.S. Air Force press release, the aircraft will undergo initial commissioning flights before being used for presidential transport. The upgrades include enhanced security systems, specialized communication technology, logistical support, and advanced technical capabilities. The Air Force stated that all potential security risks from the previously used aircraft have been eliminated.

While the interior design remains largely unchanged, the exterior now features a striking new red, white, blue, and gold color scheme, reflecting a modernized presidential aesthetic.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Israel would have been destroyed without his intervention. He said the United States provided Israel with advanced military capabilities, including the Iron Dome air defense system and B-2 Spirit bombers. Trump emphasized that these measures were crucial to Israel’s survival and security.

Trump also discussed his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing it as positive. He noted that Washington holds significant influence over Israel’s policymaking and that Netanyahu worked well with him. According to Trump, Israel respects him and values his advice, though he added that Netanyahu sometimes needs to be restrained.

The remarks were reported by Middle East Eye and highlight Trump’s continued effort to underscore his role in shaping U.S.-Israel relations during and after his presidency.

Lebanon and Israel are set to hold their fifth round of talks in Washington, D.C., from June 23 to 25, 2026, aimed at reaching an agreement to end ongoing hostilities. The United States is mediating the discussions, which began in April and have so far failed to produce a ceasefire. Previous rounds were also hosted in Washington.

According to the US State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the upcoming meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in a phone call. Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the planned meeting would allow both sovereign governments to work toward a lasting peace. The talks are part of broader diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.

The renewed dialogue underscores Washington’s continued involvement in regional peace initiatives, though it remains uncertain whether the fifth round will yield a breakthrough agreement.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has said the current situation in the United States is worse than it was before the start of the Iran war. In an interview with NBC News ahead of the inauguration of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Friday, he expressed concern over the heavy costs of the conflict, including billions of dollars spent, pressure on the military, and loss of lives, while achieving no tangible results.

Obama criticized the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, arguing that it allowed Iran to expand its nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance claimed that the peace plan has weakened Iran’s conventional military power and reduced fuel prices, though his postponed trip to Switzerland has created uncertainty over new talks. Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran’s red lines must be respected in any future negotiations.

Oil transport disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have raised global market concerns, with ExxonMobil’s senior vice president Neil Chapman warning that prices could rise to $150–160 per barrel if strategic reserves fall critically low.

Host nation United States advanced to the World Cup knockout stage after defeating Australia 2–0 in their second group match. Despite missing star forward Christian Pulisic due to injury, the team maintained strong form to secure two consecutive victories and a perfect six points, ensuring direct qualification to the round of 32.

The match began favorably for the hosts when Australia’s Cameron Burgess scored an own goal in the 11th minute following pressure from Folarin Balogun’s attack down the left wing. Near the end of the first half, 21-year-old Alex Freeman doubled the lead, heading in a rebound from a set-piece after Sergiño Dest’s shot was blocked. The goal was confirmed as valid after a video review, marking Freeman’s first World Cup goal.

With this result, the United States joined Mexico as the second host nation to win its opening two matches and secure early progression, underlining the dominance of the tournament’s co-hosts.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran, not Washington, was in a desperate position during discussions over an interim agreement between the two countries. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said that the United States did not sit for talks out of desperation, but Iran did, describing Tehran as being in a state of despair. He added that the United States would monitor the situation for the full 60-day negotiation period mentioned in the memorandum of understanding.

Trump also made it clear that Iran would not receive any financial assistance from the United States. He wrote that Iran would not get any money, not even a cent. The remarks came amid ongoing scrutiny of the interim deal process and the conditions attached to it.

According to the report, the statement was sourced from Al Jazeera and reflects Trump’s firm stance on maintaining pressure on Iran during the negotiation period.

Russia has warned that any attack by a NATO member state on its territory would trigger a 'decisive and destructive' response. The warning was issued by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a press briefing, according to a report by the state news agency TASS published on Thursday. Zakharova emphasized that no Western military leadership or force would be able to stop Russia’s reaction if such aggression occurred.

She further cautioned that Western leaders should understand the consequences of their statements and actions, suggesting that they were pushing Europe toward a dangerous direction. The remarks came after Ukraine launched what was described as the largest drone attack on Moscow from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, damaging a key oil refinery and causing fires and debris across the region.

Following the drone strikes, all major airports in Moscow temporarily suspended flight operations as a precautionary measure, according to the report.