US-Iran Deal Shakes Up Global Diplomacy
Obama urges diplomacy as Trump announces ceasefire, Guterres warns of fallout
US-Iran Deal Shakes Up Global Diplomacy — Barack Obama indirectly criticized the Trump administration’s Iran policy in an ABC interview, arguing that partial agreements solving "80 to 90 percent of the problem" are preferable to war and that one cannot "bomb your way to a solution."[^1] His comments framed the diplomatic push that culminated hours later in a US-Iran ceasefire deal. President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Truth Social, calling it "great" and authorizing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.[^4] Iran confirmed an immediate and permanent ceasefire including Lebanon, with the Iranian foreign minister stating: "Starting tonight – an immediate and permanent ceasefire will be declared."[^2] A formal signing is expected in Switzerland on Friday, followed by a ceremony in Geneva on June 19.[^4] The deal unlocks $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets and outlines a $300 billion reconstruction plan—but, per Haaretz, omits Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional proxies.[^3] Separately, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with CBS’s Margaret Brennan over the depletion of weapons stocks, after a CSIS report detailed the use of over 850 Tomahawk missiles and up to 1,430 Patriot missiles in the campaign.[^5] European countries have signaled readiness to lift sanctions on Iran, pending conditions.[^8] UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized Israeli strikes on Beirut, warning they undermined the fledgling deal.[^6] Trump himself called Netanyahu "a very difficult person" and urged Israel to show gratitude.[^4] In a separate global development, Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a far-right proposal to cap the population at 10 million; 84% of Bern voters opposed the measure, which would have restricted migration in a country where 27% of 9.1 million residents are non-citizens.[^7] Defense: Beirut strike, wounded soldiers, and the US-Iran deal — Israel struck in the Dahieh district of Beirut yesterday morning, in what is described as a significant attack.[^1] Hours later, two IDF soldiers from the 7th Armored Brigade were wounded by Hezbollah rockets at the Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon.[^2] The strikes come ami