A weekend marked by attacks, statements, and denials from the United States and Iran. According to the Iranians, however, denying Trump’s statements, “there will be no technical meetings with the United States this week,” IRIB reported.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baqaei stated: “There will be no negotiating meetings at any level with the American side in the coming days, and the fact that American representatives are traveling to Qatar is unrelated to the Iranian delegation’s trip, which is intended to monitor the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding, including Clause 11.”
Baqaei stated: “Regarding the United States’ commitment under Clause 10 (oil sales), the United States has issued the necessary permits, and we are closely monitoring the implementation process.” “Regarding Clause 11 (unfreezing Iran’s frozen assets), the implementation process is also underway. In this context, a delegation of experts from the Islamic Republic of Iran will be sent to Doha this week.”
In response to a question about the start of negotiations for the final agreement within the designated working groups, Baqaei said: “We have not yet entered the negotiating stage for the final agreement (nuclear talks); according to Clause 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding, the start of negotiations for the final agreement is conditional on the initiation and continued implementation of Clauses 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11.”
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit a compensation claim for services in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have discussed the matter with the Sultanate of Oman.
Regarding the United States, much effort has been put into the agreements reached between Lebanon and Israel on June 26. Agreements that have sparked discontent among Lebanese people close to Hezbollah: “The United States authorizes Israel to violate the first clause of the Washington-Tehran Memorandum of Understanding.”
In contrast, the U.S. State Department stated in its statement: “This agreement establishes a clear and defined process for the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the dismantling of its infrastructure, and allows Israel to return to its borders after eliminating the threat to its citizens.” It should be remembered that in recent days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that “a full withdrawal from Lebanese territory will only occur after ‘the elimination of the threat to the north’ and the complete disarmament of Hezbollah.”
Also on the subject of Lebanon, Italy and France intend to create a multinational peacekeeping coalition to replace UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, whose mandate expires in December and will not be renewed. The announcement was made at the Antibes Summit. Emmanuel Macron was the first to mention it: “We want to launch a coalition after UNIFIL, obviously in coordination with the European Union and the United Nations, to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty and its armed forces and prevent its territory from becoming a focal point for the escalation of the regional conflict.”
Giorgia Meloni then continued: “Italy and France can certainly make a difference. In our view, it is necessary to ensure an international presence that eliminates the extremely dangerous security vacuum.” Saudi Arabia’s role in strengthening Lebanese sovereignty was also mentioned, but no further details were provided and more information is pending. It should be noted that neither Israel nor the United States support UNIFIL’s presence on Lebanese soil.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on the agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government: “The agreement is a historic event and a major diplomatic and security success for Israel. Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon and will maintain the security zone, including Beaufort. Israel will not redeploy its troops to Lebanon and will not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the safety of residents in the north is guaranteed.”
Netanyahu on the agreement with the Lebanese government: “Israel remains in the yellow security zone that protects us. And this is a huge achievement. Huge! […] I thank President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio for their commitment and their contribution.”
Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir: “The agreement with Lebanon is a grave mistake: I have already contacted the Prime Minister, asking him to submit the matter to a vote in the Cabinet, and I have been fighting against the agreement for weeks.” […] “Only Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers will destroy Hezbollah; no other entity will do it for us!”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on the Israel-Lebanon agreement: “We have obtained the legitimacy to remain in southern Lebanon.”
Finally, Israeli Defense Minister Katz, regarding the US-Iran memorandum: “The fighting with Iran will resume either because President Trump decides that negotiations are exhausted, or because Iran will attack Israel. If Iran attacks, it will be its third war.”
In Lebanon, the reaction to the agreement was very mixed among civil society. Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem, regarding the Tel Aviv-Beirut agreement: “The framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon is invalid. It should be replaced, and the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding should be implemented in its place. Hezbollah supporters again blocked Beirut streets on June 27 to protest the agreement with Israel.
The President of the Iranian Shura Council, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, told the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri: “Ending the war in Lebanon and guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country are an important part of the first clause of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement between Lebanon and the Zionist entity is a conspiracy and a provocation.”
CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper met with Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haika in Lebanon to discuss the implementation of the security annex to the agreement between Lebanon, the United States, and Israel. Cooper also met with the Lebanese President.
A representative of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the creation of a communication channel to prevent an escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman informed the European parties that a return to the pre-war situation in the Strait of Hormuz is impossible and that vessels passing through the Strait may be required to pay certain fees.
The Iranian prosecutor has formally charged a Western agent and the son of the last Shah, Reza Pahlavi, with inciting revolt in the country. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to the Italian Prime Minister’s denial of Italy’s role in the war against Iran. “Providing technical and logistical support to the aggressors is nothing other than a clear and direct contribution to the commission of an illegal war of choice.”
And now a look at the ongoing military scenarios in the Middle East and Western Asia, updated at 3:30 PM on June 30. On June 26, the US military conducted strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, according to CENTCOM. This was “a decisive response to yesterday’s attack on a merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the Command noted. American aircraft attacked Iranian missile and drone depots, as well as coastal radar stations. Further raids were also carried out on June 27. “Further attacks against several targets in Iran on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Trump.”
On June 28, a car bomb exploded in Holon, Tel Aviv, followed shortly thereafter by a second explosion. At least five deaths were reported. Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated: “The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have received orders to prepare for Operation Blue and White in Iran.”
On June 27, Israel bombed a tent at the Dubait intersection in Gaza City, wounding 22 Palestinians. On June 29, Israel attacked tents of displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip, killing two and wounding 20. The IDF struck tents of displaced people in Khan Yunis.
Smotrich called for “one million Jewish settlers to occupy the West Bank.” On June 27, residents of Beit Arieh, Samaria, were locked in their homes for five hours due to a suspected terrorist infiltration: Israeli security forces searched their homes. Clashes broke out between Israeli settlers, the IDF, and Palestinian residents after settlers occupied a Palestinian home in the West Bank town of Qabalan.
On June 26, the Lebanese deployed the army against the protesters. Soldiers fired tear gas at the crowd on the road to Beirut airport. The protesters were protesting the Lebanon-Israel agreement. Hezbollah “categorically denies the claims published by official sources affiliated with the Israeli army regarding its control of Ali Taher Hill, on the eastern outskirts of the town of Nabatiyeh, and confirms that the hill is free of any IDF presence.”
On June 27, Nabatieh Al-Fawqa, in southern Lebanon, was hit by Israeli airstrikes. On June 28, Hezbollah killed Captain David Hazutt, platoon commander of the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade. He is the first Israeli soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire went into effect. Several clashes were reported in the area, resulting in Israeli soldiers being injured. The IDF discovered an underground tunnel in the Majdal area containing hundreds of weapons and four silos loaded with war material.
On June 28, clashes began between local tribal forces and the Israeli army in the Syrian region of Daraa. Residents of the village of Abdeen, in Daraa, blocked roads to prevent Israeli forces from entering the village, and Israel shelled Abdeen.
On June 29, Channel 14 reported: “A gunman opened fire on IDF forces in the southern Golan Heights, Syria, and then fled the scene.” The Syrian army is cutting off water and electricity supplies to the Shiite village of Al-Mazra’a in the Homs countryside. Village sources confirmed that residents have been given 72 hours to evacuate the village in preparation for its demolition, part of a demographic shift underway in Syria.
On June 27, Reuters reported a drone attack on the Iranian Kurdish headquarters in Erbil.
On June 28, Iranian missiles and drones hit Kuwait following US attacks on Iran. Low-resolution satellite imagery of the Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base area in Kuwait’s Al-Ahmadi Governorate indicates that at least one location in the northern section of the base, where its radar station is located, was targeted; a hangar within that northern area was also hit.
On June 27, Bahrain accused: “Following the US attack in Iran last night, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched drones toward Bahrain.” At least three waves of attacks against US facilities in Bahrain.
Yemen: Tribes loyal to Saudi Arabia mobilize just days after Ansar Allah’s call for action against renewed Saudi aggression.
On June 26, US strikes hit the Taheroui pier in Sirik. In the preceding hours, Iranians had fired warning shots from Sirik County at vessels violating regulations in the Strait of Hormuz. Two warning missiles were launched from the Karpan area toward the Strait of Hormuz. On June 27, the US also targeted Qeshm Island.
On June 27, Iran struck an oil tanker that had deactivated its automatic identification system (AIS) while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This tanker had previously transported mainly oil to Japan.
On June 29, according to MarineTraffic, merchant ships were traveling in the Strait of Hormuz using Iran’s traffic separation system. Use of the US-supported route through Omani waters continues, but remains intermittent and is not the preferred route for most traffic.
On June 26, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its forces thwarted a US attack on Sirri Island and successfully repelled the advancing troops, preserving Iran’s sovereignty. Their statement read: “They affirm that the US attack failed and that American forces have withdrawn. Iran warns that the attack ‘will not go unpunished.’ They declare that the response will be swift, decisive, and resolute, at a time and place of Iran’s choosing.”
On June 28, Iran declared it had attacked eight US bases, including Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Also on the 28th, the Pentagon reported that jets struck 10 sites around the Strait of Hormuz in Iran.
Antonio Albanese e Graziella Giangiulio
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