Middle East Update: US-Iran De-escalation Memorandum to be Signed this Friday, US Military Starts Lifting Naval Blockade, Israel Disrupts by Refusing Withdrawal

**June 16 Regional Update: US, Iran to Sign Memorandum of Understanding Sunday; Israel Rejects Lebanon Ceasefire Terms** TEHRAN – Iran and the United States have both confirmed plans to formalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 19, with US Vice President Mike Pence noting the preliminary US-Iran agreement was electronically signed over the past weekend. Meanwhile, Israel is refusing to withdraw from Lebanon, a move seen as an attempt to disrupt growing regional stability. ### Ceasefire Negotiations - Iranian President announced that Iran and the US will finalize their landmark MOU on June 19. - An Iranian Vice President stated the final deal will safeguard all of Iran’s national interests. - Pence added that President Donald Trump may attend the official signing ceremony in Geneva. - News agency AFP reports the two sides will hold preparatory talks in Doha ahead of the June 19 signing. - Iran’s Supreme National Security Council emphasized the MOU includes an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Lebanon. - Pence revealed the MOU is just one and a half pages long, calling it a “very general document.” - Trump confirmed Iran will be allowed to conduct low-level uranium enrichment, with the full agreement text set to be released publicly immediately after the June 19 signing. He also said the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open starting this Friday. - A senior US administration official noted the US may take incremental steps on sanctions relief and funding, with plans to release funds in phases. The official clarified Israel’s Lebanon withdrawal is not a condition of the US-Iran deal. ### Iran’s Stance - Iran’s Foreign Minister demanded an end to all aggression against Lebanon. - Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said the country’s armed forces remain on high alert, with troops “standing by ready to counter any conspiracy” targeting Iranian interests. - An Iranian military spokesperson added Tehran will boost its defense capabilities post-deal, maintaining a higher state of readiness than before. ### US Plans - Trump cited two key priorities tied to the MOU: a significant drop in global oil prices and gains in the US stock market. - The Trump administration is drafting a $300 billion “Iran Fund,” to be funded by private business contributions. ### Israel’s Position - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Trump Israel will not honor the MOU’s Lebanon ceasefire terms and will refuse to withdraw forces from Lebanon. - Israeli media, citing government sources, reported the country’s cabinet backs Netanyahu’s Lebanon policy. - A senior Israeli official called the US-Iran agreement “a catastrophic deal for Israel.” - Netanyahu reiterated military operations in Lebanon are not over, saying Israel will keep strengthening forces and stay in its security zone “for as long as necessary.” ### Strait of Hormuz Developments - Multiple Iranian vessels passed through the US-declared maritime blockade area in the chokepoint without incident. - Iranian state media claimed the MOU explicitly outlines terms for control of the Strait of Hormuz. - Iran announced it will charge fees for all maritime services related to vessels transiting the Strait, per the new agreement.