Iran-US war latest: Trump’s proposed deal would reopen Hormuz and end war in Lebanon, says Tehran
A draft agreement between the US and Iran includes a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war in Lebanon, Iranian state media has claimed.
The 14-point memorandum of understanding - which is yet to be finalised by Iranian authorities - includes Washington’s commitment to lifting sanctions, withdrawing from around Iran, and lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports, the semi-official Mehr news agency said.
The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened, oil sanctions cancelled and Iran’s frozen funds released, it said.
Mehr added that a final round of negotiations after the memorandum would focus on nuclear and economic issues, but would exclude talks about Iran’s missile programme.
Iran has earlier denied that the US and Tehran have finalised all points in peace negotiations, as claimed by Donald Trump, reiterating that the regime will not compromise on its “red lines”.
It comes after Donald Trump walked back his threat to strike Iran “hard” last night, citing progress being made in peace negotiations.
He said that “discussions and final points” have been “approved by all parties involved”. He later told reporters that a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend.Netanyahu's office says Israel not party to Iran deal
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement after the Israeli leader and Donald Trump spoke that Israel was not a party to the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Trump's commitment to securing a deal that includes removing enriched nuclear material, dismantling enrichment infrastructure, limiting missile output and ending support for regional proxies, the summary showed.
Tehran has been demanding an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where fighting has continued in a parallel war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
Alex Croft12 June 2026 11:07Pictured: Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon
This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun shows smoke as it rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the village of Kfar Tibnit on June 11 (AFP/Getty)
Alex Croft12 June 2026 10:39Oil prices will not return to normal 'at flick of a switch' after peace deal, warns analyst
Even if an Iran deal is reached, returning oil prices to normal will “not be as simple as flicking a switch”, an expert has warned.
Oil prices have currently eased to around the mid-$80s per barrel, which is their lowest level in two months.
“But even if a deal is reached, getting supply back to normal will not be as simple as flicking a switch, with mines in the Strait of Hormuz to clear, idled production fields to restart, and damaged energy infrastructure to repair,” Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said.
“That means oil markets may be breathing a little easier, but the path back to smoother flows could take us into the latter part of the year.”
Alex Croft12 June 2026 10:13Draft agreement includes lifted sanctions and US withdrawal - Iranian state media
We’re hearing some details about a potential agreement between Iran and the US from Tehran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.
The proposed memorandum of understanding - which is yet to be finalised by Iranian authorities - includes Washington’s commitment to lifting sanctions, withdrawing from around Iran, and lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports, it said.
The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened as part of the deal, it said.
The report also claimed it includes the cancelling of oil sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen funds.
A final round of negotiations after the memorandum would focus on nuclear and economic issues, but would exclude talks about Iran’s missile programme, it said.
Alex Croft12 June 2026 09:51US shoots down two Iranian attack drones
"Traffic flow through the strait continues," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Alex Croft12 June 2026 09:33For Iranians abroad, the World Cup poses a tough choice: cheer the team or protest the regime?
When Iran’s national soccer team walks onto American soil this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will do so against the backdrop of an Iranian government crackdown against protesters in January, an ongoing war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February, and a four-month digital blackout affecting some 92 million people. It has left many Iranian fans feeling conflicted about who exactly they’ll be cheering for.
Even before a ball has been kicked, the tension has been clear among not only supporters but team members, too. Iranian players were issued visas to the United States at the 11th hour, and the team only arrived at their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, days before the tournament kicks off.
Alex Croft12 June 2026 09:11Lebanon nurse-turned-teacher says she is ‘between body bags’ at night while teaching students in the day
A nurse-turned-teacher has detailed the realities of life in Lebanon since the escalation of war, describing being “between body bags holding lost innocent lives at night and teaching students the very next day”.
Israa Hassan, 31, who lives in Aramoun near Beirut, said her school has moved lessons online, but she has “lost contact” with some of her students and her “mind immediately goes to the worst possibilities”.
In the aftermath, Israa said her school building was converted into a shelter for people who have fled their homes, and the United Nations estimates more than one million people have been registered as displaced.
With her school in Mount Lebanon repurposed, Israa said that the “warmth of a classroom changed into a cold colourless screen”, but she has tried to “keep education going in the middle of uncertainty”.
Israa told PA Real Life: “Suddenly, within one night, I became a responder – a health worker trying to alleviate pain – and an educator trying to hold a space for children who were afraid, displaced or emotionally overwhelmed.
“The hard part is keeping a smile and motivation, after spending sleepless nights due to sounds of drones and night strikes.
“Or telling students during the day that the future holds beautiful things, right after witnessing an injured mum losing her kid the night before.”
Israa has been teaching children while offering healthcare (PA)
Alex Croft12 June 2026 08:45
Alex Croft12 June 2026 08:19Iran denies US peace deal finalised
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson has denied that the US and Tehran have finalised peace negotiations, as claimed once again by Donald Trump.
Iran will not compromise on its “red lines”, Esmail Baghaei said.
Speaking to Iranian state TV, he added: "We have not reached a final conclusion on this matter. This is a very important issue that is currently being reviewed by the relevant decision-making bodies."
But he said that large parts of an agreement have, indeed, been finalised.
Alex Croft12 June 2026 07:56UK economy shrank by 0.1% in April following impact of Iran war
Britain’s economy has contracted for the first time in eight months amid signs that the Iran war is beginning to take its toll on some sectors.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.1 per cent in April in a sharp pullback from growth of 0.3 per cent in March and 0.4 per cent in February.
The decline was driven by a 0.2 per cent fall in services, which was partially offset by a 0.1 per cent rise in construction and 0.4 per cent growth in manufacturing.
In the three months to April, GDP grew by 0.7 per cent, according to the ONS.
Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said: “The economy grew in the latest three months as a whole, reflecting strong growth in February and March.
“This was despite April showing a small fall.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves acknowledged the war in the Middle East was hitting the economy.
She said: “Before the conflict in the Middle East, growth was higher than expected and inflation was falling. This is not a war we wanted or joined, but one that will have an impact at home.
Alex Croft12 June 2026 07:37
