US-Iran ceasefire deal: Strait of Hormuz reopens
Trump announces deal with Iran; ceasefire includes Lebanon, but Israeli officials warn of oversight gaps.
US-Iran ceasefire deal: Strait of Hormuz reopens — The Iranian foreign minister declared "an immediate and permanent ceasefire starting tonight, including Lebanon," as Iran confirmed a sweeping agreement with the United States to end hostilities.[^1] US President Donald Trump, announcing on Truth Social that the deal was complete, authorized the lifting of the naval blockade and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.[^2] The agreement includes an immediate halt to all military operations in the Middle East, according to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the main mediator, with a formal signing set for June 19 in Geneva.[^3] It also reportedly covers a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon.[^4] The deal frees $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, suspends oil sanctions, and includes mutual non-interference pledges, while the semi-official Mehr News Agency published an outline of a 14-article Memorandum of Understanding.[^5] However, critics are raising concerns. Former US President Barack Obama, in an ABC interview, indirectly criticized the Trump approach, noting that "you can't bomb your way to solutions."[^6] US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with a CBS host over the depletion of weapons depots, blaming the Biden administration.[^7] Meanwhile, Avner Viln, a former senior Israeli defense official, warned that the deal lacks effective oversight, cautioning that Iranians "have no problem lying."[^8] The broader regional implications are significant. Seized Hamas documents reveal that before the October 7 massacre, leaders including Yahya Sinwar viewed Saudi-Israeli normalization as a strategic threat. The timing of the deal has prompted caution from Israeli officials who fear a "trap" from the Trump agreement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated both sides on Sunday, signaling international approval. Yet the lack of monitoring mechanisms on Iran's enrichment and missile program leaves key questions unanswered. The coming days will test whether the ceasefire holds and whether the promised reconstruction funds materialize into genuine de-escalation. Eisenkot Surges Past Bennett as Political Landscape Shifts — Gadi E