Trump Says He Authorized Removal of U.S. Blockade on Iran as Deal 'Now Complete'

Key Events June 14, 2026 RECAP: Trump says Iran deal could be finalized within hours; Iran vows strong response to Beirut strike Iranian media: Flights suspended in western Iran until further notice IDF: Two soldiers wounded by rocket fire in southern Lebanon June 14, 2026 Updates Last to first Last to first First to last Haaretz June 15, 2026 Copy the link This liveblog has ended Click here for Monday's updates. Ben Samuels Washington June 15, 2026 Copy the link Trump says Netanyahu is 'very difficult, should be very thankful' in NYT interview U.S. President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "a very difficult guy," saying he should be thankful to the United States for the Iran deal. "To be honest with you, he should be very thankful to us for doing this," Trump told The New York Times. "Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn't be around for two hours." Haaretz June 15, 2026 Copy the link Report: Iran calls off strikes on Israel after Trump intervenes Iran called off its planned missile strikes on Israel following U.S. President Donald Trump's intervention, The New York Times reported , citing Iranian officials. According to the report, Iran's power circles deliberated on whether or not Tehran should retaliate for Israel's Sunday strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, also known as the Dahiyeh. Parts of Iran's leadership believed that launching the strikes would play into Israel's hands, derailing Tehran's agreement with Washington, the officials reportedly said. Ben Samuels Washington June 15, 2026 Copy the link Trump says he authorized removal of U.S. blockade on Iran as deal 'now complete' U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered to lift the U.S. blockade on Iran, adding that the deal is "now complete." "I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" Close Ben Samuels Washington June 15, 2026 Copy the link U.S.-Iran deal reached, includes 'immediate termination' of fighting in Lebanon The United States and Iran have reached a deal to end the war, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. "Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon," Sharif wrote on X. "The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland." Read the full article Ben Samuels Washington June 15, 2026 Copy the link Trump tells WSJ he will imminently announce Iran deal U.S. President Donald Trump plans to issue a statement imminently confirming that the United States has agreed to a deal with Iran, he told The Wall Street Journal on Sunday afternoon. Trump claimed Netanyahu was supportive of the deal. "Bibi is OK with it," he said. "Why is it good for Bibi? Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon under any circumstance," he added. Trump said Netanyahu "shouldn't have done that," speaking about Israel's strike in Beirut. "I didn't like it at all. They fired a couple small missiles, and missed their mark by a lot," he said. "They have to fire back, then he'll fire back, then the whole thing never stops in the Middle East." Jonathan Lis June 15, 2026 Copy the link Israel's security cabinet meeting concludes Jonathan Lis June 14, 2026 Copy the link U.S. considers incentives to dissuade Iran from striking Israel, official says Close President Donald Trump at the White House, on Thursday. Credit: AFP/KENT NISHIMURA President Donald Trump at the White House, on Thursday. Credit: AFP/KENT NISHIMURA Iran has rejected several proposals by U.S. President Donald Trump not to retaliate for Israel's strike on Beirut earlier on Sunday, an Israeli official told Haaretz. According to the official, Trump has been pressuring Tehran to show restraint, with Washington considering a series of incentives in an effort to persuade it to delay the attack. Israel can't rule out the possibility that the U.S. efforts will be successful, the official said. Read the full article Haaretz June 14, 2026 Copy the link Adviser to Iran's Khamenei: 'Zero hour has arrived, launchers are being readied' A key advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran is preparing for a missile barrage, adding that if Israel continues striking Lebanon, Tehran will block the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. "The miscalculation in Beirut has brought patience to an end, and the order has been given," Ali Akbar Velayati wrote. "Zero hour has arrived, and the launchers are being prepared." Hezbollah "is a part of the flesh and blood of the Axis of Resistance," he added. "If the fire of mischief in Lebanon is not extinguished, the two powerful geographic arms – Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb – will squeeze your economic lifelines to the point of strategic suffocation." Haaretz June 14, 2026 Copy the link Iran says Beirut strike violated cease-fire, vows to use 'all necessary means' in self-defense Close The site of an Israeli strike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday. Credit: Used in accordance with section 27A of Israeli Copyright Law. The site of an Israeli strike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday. Credit: Used in accordance with section 27A of Israeli Copyright Law. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's strike on Beirut's southern suburbs as a "terrorist crime," saying it violated Lebanon's sovereignty and constituted a "blatant violation" of the cease-fire agreement. The ministry reiterated that it holds the United States directly responsible for Israel's actions and warned that Washington and Israel would bear responsibility for the consequences of any further regional escalation. Iran also said it remains determined to use "all necessary means" to exercise what it described as its inherent right to self-defense.