President Trump says the US would "start the process again" if Iran doesn't make a deal. Meanwhile, Lebanon's president said talks with Israel are independent and should not be linked to the US-Iran deal. Follow DW.
What you need to know
Trump says he would 'start the process again' in the event of Iran not signing
Lebanon's negotiations with Israel 'independent' of US-Iran deal, says president
Merz says Bundestag could vote of Hormuz mission by summer recess
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Below you can read a roundup of news relating to the Iran war and the wider Middle East on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
We've moved live coverage
We've launched a new live blog after the presidents of the US and Iran signed an agreement on extending the ceasefire between the countries by another 60 days, triggering an extensive period of negotiations to reach a final deal. Follow here.
Read the key details of the 14-point plan
The text of the 14-point interim agreement between the US and Iran to end the war in Iran has been read out by a senior US official to journalists. Read the text of the plan here in full .
G7 leaders show support of US-Iran agreement
G7 leaders voiced support behind the tentative agreement between the US and Iran which views an end to the war between the two countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the agreement was "very good," also adding that support for the agreement within the G7 comes as it "puts a stop to a situation of great instability that had terrible consequences for our economies ."
The leaders also said an international maritime mission led by France and the UK "can play an important role to facilitate the resumption of maritime traffic" in the Strait of Hormuz, also supporting verification that all mines are removed.
US officials share US-Iran agreement details
Details of the agreement between the US and Iran to end the war between them were provided to journalists by US officials.
According to the US daily The New York Post, which published a text purporting to be the agreement, the two countries would discuss a mechanism for handling Iran's enriched uranium stocks "with the minimum methodology to be down-blending on site under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency ."
"The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal," The New York Post quoted the agreement as saying.
The agreement also addresses the sanctions imposed on Iran, saying the US "undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions" against Iran.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue," the text read.
Both sides will agree on a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the agreement, as well as of the final deal, should it be reached within the 60-day period.
Iran-US peace deal leaves many major issues unresolved
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Trump speaks Netanyahu relations, Saudi Arabia-Israel normalization
US President Donald Trump spoke about Washington's cooperation with Israel, specifically with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the G7 meeting, Trump said the Israeli leader is "a good man, but he gets a little excited sometimes."
Trump said the two leaders have "a little dispute" on the Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
"I told him he could do it softer," Trump said.
"When two drones are shot into the desert and harm nobody you don't have to shut down buildings."
Speaking about the Middle East's future, the US leader said he hopes more countries would join the Abraham Accords, which would mean normalizing relations with Israel.
"Saudi Arabia will be doing themselves a favor to join," Trump said.
Trump says Iran deal saved world from a "nuclear Holocaust."
US President Donald Trump said the agreement with Iran was welcome by world leaders.
"Not one leader said: Please sir, keep dropping bombs on them," Trump said at the G7 meeting in France.
"Only stupid people say that," he added, while also saying the agreement will prevent Iran from securing nuclear weapons, saying the agreement saved the world from a "nuclear Holocaust."
"Technical discussion on the removals of all stockpiles of uranium will begin immediately," Trump said, also mentioning the Gulf states are going to be part of the process.
Regarding the issue of Iran's ballistic missiles, the US leader said Tehran "gotta have some" as other countries have them, too.
"Missiles are not the problem," Trump said, explaining they cannot "blow up the whole planet."
Lebanon, Trump said, is a "small piece of the puzzle," but a "very noisy one," while also saying the Israeli strikes in the country go too far.
"When two drones are shot into the desert and harm nobody you don't have to shut down buildings. They could do a much better job for Hezbollah"
US would 'start the process again' if Iran doesn't make a deal
US President Donald Trump said that the US would "start the process again" in the event of Iran not agreeing to the final agreement.
"I would think they would do it," Trump said on the sidelines of the G7 conference in France, when asked about the prospects for a deal.
"If they don't, then that's, you know, that's okay. We'll have to start the process again, and we don't lose," Trump said.
A signing ceremony of the agreement is expected to take place on Friday in Switzerland
If the agreement goes ahead, the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's key oil shipping routes, will reopen for traffic again on Friday.
The war has effectively shut down the flow of crucial gas and oil supplies for months, causing a spike in global energy prices. Around 20% of the world's crude oil supply is transported through the vital channel.
WATCH: Trump rebukes Israel over Lebanon, throws Syria into the mix
Donald Trump publicly chastised Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel's continued military action in Lebanon, warning the Israeli PM would need to be "more responsible." US diplomat Barbara A. Leaf gives us her assessment.
Lebanon remains main stumbling block to Israel-US-Iran peace
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Lebanon's president says Israel negotiation 'independent' of US-Iran agreement
Lebanon 's President Joseph Aoun said talks with Israel in Washington next week — which seek to bring an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah — were an independent process and not linked to the US-Iran deal.
"The assurances we have received, and what we insist on, is that Lebanon's path in the negotiations is independent, though we are certainly for a ceasefire and for any country that helps us, including Iran," Aoun said, in a statement published by his office.
Aoun is hopeful that the fifth round of talks "will be more positive, particularly considering the US administration's great interest in Lebanon."
"The Lebanese state is sovereign in its decision-making, and for the first time, it is the one conducting the negotiations, and nobody is negotiating for us," he said.
"I reassure the Lebanese that nobody is tying us to any other country, and any settlement will be through us, not at our expense," he added.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah has rejected direct negotiations with Israel along with the the Lebanese governments decision to disarm the militant group.
Lebanon was pulled into the war in March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel after the killing of Iran's supreme leader, prompting Israeli strikes and a ground invasion.
Could Israel's actions jeopardize Middle East peace deal?
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Welcome to our coverage
Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest developments from the Middle East region.
We're just days away the US-Iran deal being signed in Switzerland and with it the possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The details of the memorandum of understanding are not yet known.
Germany is watching developments closely and Chancellor Merz has indicated that a vote in the Bundestag could be held before the summer break for a mission in the Strait.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's president has stressed that negotiations with Israel to bring about an end to fighting with Hezbollah, are not tied to the US-Iran deal.
This blog will bring you all the latest on these topics and other movements in the Middle East.