Published on June 12, 2026. Published on June 12, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the US-Israeli attack on Iran saved his country from the danger of “nuclear annihilation” by the Islamic Republic, and pledged not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons “not today and not tomorrow.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5FGz9
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Skip to the next part: Everything you need to know
Everything you need to know
Netanyahu: The war with Iran saved Israel from the danger of “nuclear annihilation”
Washington announces the signing of the memorandum of understanding electronically with Tehran
The fighting in Lebanon receded following the US-Iran agreement
Ben Gvir: Israel is not bound by the US-Iran agreement
Washington and Tehran reach a preliminary agreement to end the war
“The agreement may be signed on Sunday.” Trump outlines the features of the next stage with Iran
Field escalation in southern Lebanon and army withdrawal from border positions
Skip to the next part Netanyahu: The war with Iran saved Israel from the danger of “nuclear annihilation”
6/16/2026 June 2026
Netanyahu: The war with Iran saved Israel from the danger of “nuclear annihilation”
In his first comment after announcing that an agreement had been reached between Washington and Tehran to end the war in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday (June 15, 2026) that the American-Israeli attack on Iran spared his country the danger of “nuclear annihilation” by the Islamic Republic.
In a televised press conference, Netanyahu, who has faced intense criticism over his handling of the war and what critics described as his failure to influence Washington's negotiations on the agreement, sought to highlight what he described as the major achievements of the campaign.
"The most important thing is that we saved the State of Israel from the threat of nuclear annihilation," he said.
He added, "What would that mean? It would mean that millions of Israeli citizens - all of you who are listening to me now - would have been in terrible danger of mass death... and that we have kept away, for years, the risk of annihilating the population of Israel."
Netanyahu pledged that Iran would never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, regardless of the terms of any agreement.
“Whether an agreement is reached or not, Iran will not possess nuclear weapons,” he said, adding, “Not today and not tomorrow,” stressing that the American-Israeli campaign hit “every possible infrastructure target” in Iran.
"I did nothing wrong at all," he said. "We said we wanted to remove a looming existential threat: first, the nuclear threat - and we did that; second, the missile threat - and we did that as well."
Netanyahu also confirmed that Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria "as long as necessary."
https://p.dw.com/p/5FTEd
Skip to the next part. Washington announces the signing of the memorandum of understanding electronically with Tehran.
6/15/2026 June 2026
Washington announces the signing of the memorandum of understanding electronically with Tehran.
US Vice President J.D. Vance announced today, Monday (June 15, 2026), that the agreement with Iran on ending the war has been electronically signed by the parties concerned, but he indicated that an official signing ceremony will be held on Friday.
A senior American official said that President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf signed a memorandum of understanding on ending the war between the United States and Iran.
Trump later told reporters shortly after his arrival in Evian, France, to attend the G7 summit, "The agreement has been fully signed. The Strait is already partially open, as you know. And on Friday, it will be fully open."
In response to a question about when the text of the memorandum of understanding would be published, Trump said, “Maybe very soon. I would say shortly after Friday... I think in the very near future.”
“Iran will stop financing terrorist groups”
Vance confirmed in statements reported by ABC News that the agreement includes provisions stipulating that Iran will stop financing terrorist groups, although he did not elaborate on what exactly that means.
Vance added: "We are willing to significantly ease sanctions if the Iranians make the kind of long-term commitments necessary for a normal country to abandon its nuclear weapons program and stop funding terrorist activities throughout the Middle East."
No frozen Iranian funds have been released
Vance also went on to say that no funds have been released to Iran since the agreement was signed electronically. He explained that no American funds would be transferred to Iran under the framework agreement to end the war.
For his part, a high-ranking American official confirmed, in response to a journalist's question about the amount that was released, that "the very simple fact is that no amount of frozen assets has been released by the United States or any other country."
Iranian media reported that one of the terms of the agreement stipulates the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian funds after the signing of the text, which in total stipulates the “release of $24 billion” of these funds during the 60-day negotiation period for a final agreement.
In a statement to CNBC, Vance said on Monday that Washington is in direct contact with Tehran, days before signing a framework agreement to end the war between the two countries. He continued: “We deal with everyone in the Iranian regime,” and specifically referred to the “political leadership” and “military side.” He added: "We have good relations there, so these negotiations will be successful, because we are no longer transmitting messages through many back channels."
https://p.dw.com/p/5FSRF
Skip to the next part: A relative decline in fighting in Lebanon following the US-Iran agreement
6/15/2026 June 2026
A relative decline in fighting in Lebanon following the US-Iran agreement
The fighting in southern Lebanon subsided today (Monday, June 15, 2026) following an agreement between the United States and Iran to end the broader conflict, but local authorities warned the displaced against rushing to return to their homes, and Israel said it would not withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. A Hezbollah official told Reuters today that the group has not launched any operations since the United States and Iran announced the agreement, and that the group’s position on the ceasefire is linked to Israel’s commitment to it. The official, who requested to remain anonymous, added that the group rejects the freedom of movement of Israeli forces in Lebanon and pointed out that Iran postponed the actual signing of the agreement with the United States to monitor the extent of Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire in Lebanon. There has been no official comment from the Hezbollah group on the agreement between the United States and Iran yet.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FRGr
Skip to the next part Ben Gvir: Israel is not bound by the US-Iran agreement
6/15/2026 June 2026
Ben Gvir: Israel is not bound by the US-Iran agreement
Today (Monday, June 15, 2026), Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir attacked the agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the war in the Middle East on various fronts, including in Lebanon, stressing that Israel is not bound by its terms. He said that his country does not have to withdraw from the Lebanese territories it vacated from Hezbollah. Bloomberg News Agency reported that Ben Gvir said in a post on the “X” platform, “Israel is not affiliated with the United States and we are an independent and sovereign state.” He added that Israel should not withdraw from southern Lebanon or "silent even for a moment" if Hezbollah launches an attack.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FP7A
Skip to the next part Washington and Tehran reach a preliminary agreement to end the war
6/15/2026 June 2026
Washington and Tehran reach a preliminary agreement to end the war
American and Iranian officials said that they had reached a framework for ending the war between the two countries, lifting the American blockade imposed on Iran, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, in an initial agreement that led to a decline in oil prices, but left the fate of the Iranian nuclear program dependent on subsequent negotiations. US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.”
His post came shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country is acting as a mediator, announced that an agreement had also been reached. The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland. The terms of this agreement are not yet known in detail. Sharif said in a post on the X platform that the agreement stipulates “the immediate and permanent end of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5FOxi
Skip to the next part: “The agreement may be signed on Sunday.” Trump outlines the features of the next stage with Iran
6/13/2026 June 2026
“The agreement may be signed on Sunday.” Trump outlines the features of the next stage with Iran
US President Donald Trump said, in a post on social media today, Saturday (June 13, 2026.), that an agreement with Iran is expected to be signed tomorrow, Sunday, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz will be “open to everyone” once the agreement is concluded.
Trump expressed his hope that the process would go quickly and smoothly, but at the same time he stressed that there were ready alternatives if the negotiations failed. He stressed that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened to everyone immediately after the signing of the agreement, in a step that reflects a desire to calm regional tensions.
Trump also indicated that the next stage will witness a different American entry “at the appropriate time” after the situation stabilizes, which reflects a trend towards rearranging the scene after the calm.
For his part, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, whose country carried out diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington, explained that the two sides have reached a framework for a peace agreement, with Islamabad preparing to sign electronically, to be followed by technical talks during the next week.
On the other hand, Iran expressed reservations about this timetable, as Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei denied the possibility of signing the agreement so quickly, stressing the necessity of waiting to set an exact date, while not ruling out its completion in the coming days.
This discrepancy in statements comes despite repeated assurances that an agreement is close to reaching an end to the war that broke out on February 28, and caused huge human losses and a rise in global energy prices, in addition to expanding the circle of conflict to include regional fronts, including Lebanon.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FLHV
Skip to the next part: Field escalation in southern Lebanon and army withdrawal from border positions
6/13/2026 June 2026
Field escalation in southern Lebanon and army withdrawal from border positions
A military official said that the Lebanese army withdrew its forces, on Saturday (June 13), from a barracks in the town of Kafr Tibnit in southern Lebanon, following the advance of Israeli forces around the area. This withdrawal came in light of a noticeable field escalation and accelerating military movements near Nabatieh, according to what was reported by the Associated Press news agency.
Evacuation and air raid warnings
The withdrawal coincided with the Israeli army issuing warnings to evacuate about 20 sites, including the city of Nabatieh and neighboring villages. At the same time, the National News Agency reported air strikes on several towns, including Deir Al-Zahrani, in which two people were killed, in addition to artillery shelling targeting Nabatieh.
Strategic goals and Israeli progress
Data indicate that Israeli forces are seeking to control the strategic Ali al-Taher hill, which overlooks large areas of Nabatieh and the vital roads surrounding it. Israel had previously controlled this hill for 18 years before its withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.
Hezbollah attacks and continuing confrontations
On the other hand, Hezbollah announced carrying out several attacks, including targeting Israeli sites with drones near Kafr Tabnit. It was also reported that a Lebanese soldier was seriously injured after being targeted by an Israeli march in the vicinity of Nabatieh.
This escalation comes in light of talk about international efforts to end the war in the region, following the announcement of progress in talks between the United States and Iran, the impact of which is expected to include the Lebanese front.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FLHI
Skip to the next part Prime Minister of Pakistan: The US-Iran agreement is expected to be concluded within 24 hours
6/13/2026 June 2026
Prime Minister of Pakistan: The US-Iran agreement is expected to be concluded within 24 hours
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said today, Saturday (June 13, 2026), that the United States and Iran have agreed on a framework for a peace agreement that will end the war that has been ongoing for months in the Middle East, after reaching a final text of the agreement.
Sharif stated that Pakistan is now preparing to electronically sign the agreement, which is expected within the next twenty-four hours, followed by talks at the technical level during the week.
Sharif said in a post on the X platform: “We are closer to a peace agreement than ever before. With the agreement expected to be completed within the next 24 hours, Pakistan is then preparing for an immediate electronic signature of the peace agreement, followed by technical talks next week.”
He added: "We thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their continued commitment during the negotiations, and we express our deep appreciation to our brothers in the region for their support. We are confident that this historic peace agreement will form a solid foundation for lasting peace."
After weeks of stagnation in negotiations over the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Washington and Tehran considered in recent days that reaching an agreement was very imminent. But the United States announced that it shot down Iranian drones that were targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday.
For his part, Iranian official television quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying that unless an agreement is reached that includes all issues, “it cannot be certain that a preliminary agreement will be reached with the United States.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5FKwy
Skip to the next part Iran: Khamenei's funeral begins July 4 in Tehran, burial five days later
6/13/2026 June 2026
Iran: Khamenei's funeral begins July 4 in Tehran, with burial five days later
Official media reported today, Saturday (June 13, 2026), that the funeral of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will begin in Tehran on the fourth of July, and will conclude with his burial in his birthplace in the city of Mashhad in the northeast of the country on the ninth of July.
The television explained that Khamenei's funeral ceremony, which was originally scheduled for March but was postponed due to the war, will be held over a period of six days, starting from July 4, in the capital, Tehran, as well as in the cities of Qom and Mashhad, which are sacred to Shiite Muslims.
Khamenei was killed on February 28 in Israeli and American raids on Iran in February. His death marked the end of more than three decades that he spent at the head of the Islamic Republic.
The mayor of Tehran had previously stated that the official funeral ceremony for the late Supreme Leader would be postponed to late June or early July, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Iran had previously announced plans to hold this ceremony, which will last three days, at the beginning of the month of Muharram (the first month of the Hijri calendar), which would have fallen in early June.
However, Mayor Ali Reza Zakani explained - in a statement carried by the Fars News Agency - that the ceremony was postponed until after the first ten days of the month of Muharram. This is to allow believers to complete the annual mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussein.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FKuZ
Skip to the next part: One killed in an Israeli raid on southern Lebanon and an evacuation warning for 20 towns and villages
6/13/2026 June 2026
One dead in an Israeli raid on southern Lebanon and an evacuation warning for 20 towns and villages
A person was killed today, Saturday (June 13, 2026), as Israeli raids continued on southern Lebanon, accompanied by a warning to the Israeli army to evacuate 20 Lebanese towns and villages.
According to the National News Agency, an enemy march targeted the town of Battle with a raid, which led to the death of one person, noting that “enemy military aircraft carried out three raids last night on the town of Deir Al-Zahrani in the Nabatieh district.”
The agency noted that at dawn, Israeli forces blew up homes and official institutions in the city of Bint Jbeil, and also carried out artillery shelling targeting the town of Srifa in the Tire district.
This coincided with urgent demands from the Israeli army to residents in 20 towns and villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate the towns and villages of Deir Al-Zahrani, Numiriyah, Sharqiya, Al-Duwair, Harouf, Habbush, Kafr Joz, Zabdin (Nabatieh), Nabatieh Al-Tahta, Nabatieh Al-Fawqa, Kafr Rumman, Mahmoudiyah, Sajad (Jezzine), Rayhan, Armati, and Kafarhouna. Malikh, Louaizeh (Jezzine), Jarjou, and Arabsalim.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FKGD
Skip to the next part Iran: An agreement with Washington to end the war is closer than ever
6/12/2026 June 2026
Iran: An agreement with Washington to end the war is closer than ever
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Friday that his country is closer than ever to reaching an agreement with the United States to end the war in the Middle East, under mediation led by Pakistan.
Araqchi explained, in a blog post published on the “X” platform, that what he described as the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” has reached very advanced stages, in reference to the efforts made by the Pakistani capital to bring the views of the two parties closer together.
Despite this progress, the Iranian Foreign Minister called on the media to be patient and not be led by speculation about the details of the agreement before its official announcement, after the circulation of Iranian media reports that talked about possible provisions of its draft.
Araqchi confirmed that itching
