The strike on the vessel, the Ever Lovely, a container ship that was passing near the Omani side of the strait, appeared to be the first known Iranian attack on a commercial vessel since the signing of a preliminary peace agreement between Tehran and Washington last week. It laid bare the challenges to restoring prewar levels of traffic through the strait, a crucial conduit for oil and gas shipping.
Archiv: Donald J. Trump
Caving to Trump ‘Temper Tantrum,’ Two Republicans Flip to Block Iran War Powers Resolution
Two Senate Republicans who supported a previous resolution calling for an end to the US war on Iran changed their votes late Wednesday after President Donald Trump publicly and privately berated GOP lawmakers, calling them “losers” who provided “aid and comfort to the enemy.”
In Wednesday’s procedural vote, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.)—who reportedly got into a shouting match with Trump over the Iran war during a closed-door lunch hours earlier—sided with virtually every other Republican in opposing the war powers resolution, just a day after he supported a separate, symbolic resolution calling for the removal of US forces from the conflict. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also switched, changing his vote to “present” at the urging of the president.
Senate rejects measure to restrict Trump‘s Iran war powers as key Republicans shift votes
Updated on: June 24, 2026 / 11:37 PM EDT / CBS News
Later in the day, however, signs emerged that some of the Senate Republicans who had previously voted to constrain Mr. Trump‘s war powers were reconsidering.
Cassidy was briefed on Iran at the White House by Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff, the senator confirmed on X, writing that the conversation „address[ed] many of my concerns.“ Cassidy voted against advancing the resolution Wednesday night.
And Paul voted present on Wednesday, despite voting in favor of the last several Iran war powers resolutions. He said on X his goal was to „give the President more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace.“
Trump has testy meeting with GOP senators, telling Cassidy at one point to sit down
Updated on: June 25, 2026 / 12:07 AM EDT / CBS News
President Trump‘s meeting with Republican senators on Wednesday turned testy, and at one point, he sternly told Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy to sit down, after questions arose about the War Powers Resolution, according to sources directly familiar with the meeting.
Trump Lashes Out at ‘Meaningless’ Senate Rebuke Over Iran War
Jun 24, 2026 11:30 AM CET)
Trump claims that his war on Iran doesn’t need congressional approval because a cease-fire that took effect on April 8 effectively ended it. His Administration also argues that the 1973 law is “unconstitutional” and that the Administration only complies with parts of it to maintain good relations with the legislative branch.
Others, however, argue that Congress’ authority over declarations of war allows for the method. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D, N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who sponsored the House war powers resolution, said in a statement that he will make sure that the Administration adheres to it: “Regardless of what President Trump says, this measure is binding under the War Powers Resolution, and I will explore all legal avenues to ensure the Executive complies with the will of Congress.”
Everybody is fully aware that Iran will agree to have Major Weapons Inspections in order to ensure “Nuclear Honesty” long into the future. President DONALD J. TRUMP
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Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after US-Israeli violations of MoU
The statement added that the Israeli attacks have led to “brutal killings and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of oppressed people” in southern Lebanon, adding that the Israeli regime has also failed to withdraw its forces from those territories.
The military command said that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is the first step in response to the breach of commitments under the MoU by the US and its allies, adding that Iran will adopt further measures to compel the enemy to fulfill its obligations.
Iran says it‘s closing vital Strait of Hormuz, blaming Israeli attacks in Lebanon
Iran’s military command said it will close the Strait of Hormuz due to Israel’s “ongoing” violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon and the United States “failing to implement” the first clause of the tentative agreement to end the war, Iranian state media reported on Saturday.
“In view of the United States’ bad faith and its clear breach of its commitments by failing to implement the first article of the memorandum ending the war, and in response to the continuous and ongoing violation of the ceasefire by the Zionist regime in southern Lebanon… It hereby announces that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the passage of vessels,” Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement that was reported by state broadcaster IRIB.
Trump signed hard copy of US-Iran agreement during dinner at the Palace of Versailles
A different senior US administration official said earlier this week that Trump and Vice President JD Vance had previously both virtually signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf signed the document virtually for the Iranian side.
But a US official said Wednesday that Trump has now signed a hard copy, and also suggested he had not signed digitally before, but rather, “witnessed” the signing by Vance.
Exclusive – Syria‘s al-Sharaa eyes potential Trump meeting at Ankara NATO summit
(June 16, 2026)
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa may travel to Ankara to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the upcoming NATO summit, though he has not received an official invitation to the gathering, according to information obtained by Türkiye Today.
Contrary to the reports published earlier in Turkish media, the Syrian leader is not included on the official guest list for the alliance‘s formal event. However, sources indicate a face-to-face meeting with Trump remains a possibility as global leaders converge on the Turkish capital.
Death toll in Lebanon reaches 3,826 as Israeli strikes continue
(June 16, 2026)
Lebanon’s health ministry has revised the death toll in Lebanon on Tuesday to 3,826, with 11,851 wounded since the conflict began on 2 March.
Trump says he talked to Syria‘s Sharaa on countering Hezbollah
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had spoken to Syria‘s Ahmed al-Sharaa about combatting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Asked at the G7 summit in France if Sharaa was willing to take on the Shia group, Trump said he would talk about that later.
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„I consider that [Lebanon] the minor war, Iran’s a big one, but we have that little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head, and that‘s Hezbollah,“ Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the summit.
Israeli drone drops sound grenade on outskirts of Hadatha town in Bint Jbeil district
NNA – National News Agency correspondent reported that an Israeli drone dropped a sound grenade toward a group of young men on the outskirts of the town of Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district.
Israeli enemy air raid targets KfarTebnit outskirts toward Ali al-Taher Hill
(02:06 PM)
NNA – Nabatieh – At 2:20 pm today, Israeli enemy warplanes launched an air raid targeting the outskirts of the town of Kfar Tebnit, towards the Ali al-Taher Hill.
Trump plaudert am G7-Gipfel Plan B aus für Fortsetzung der Kriege in Westasien
Euronews berichtete mit der Schlagzeile, Trump habe Netanjahu zu „mehr Verantwortung“ ermahnt und Syriens Präsidenten als den „Fähigsten“ zur Bekämpfung der Hisbollah bezeichnet. Das ist der Terrorist, auf den die USA davor eine Kopfprämie von 50 Millionen Dollar ausgesetzt hatten und der jetzt für sie arbeitet – als Terrorist. Middle East Eye nannte es eine Bestätigung von Berichten, die „ein hochrangiger US-Beamter ursprünglich dementiert hatte“ — nämlich dass Washington Syrien zu einer Invasion des Libanon drängt.
Security Update: Drone Strikes Hit South Lebanon, Israeli Force Briefly Advances into Hadatha
(11:08 AM)
NNA – Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli enemy drones carried out three airstrikes targeting the towns of Mansouri and Aazziyeh, resulting in a number of injuries.
A separate drone strike targeted Braachit in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, an Israeli force comprising several military vehicles, including a D9 armored bulldozer and two Merkava tanks, advanced toward Hadatha before later withdrawing and repositioning near the town’s football field.
Security Update: Israeli Strikes, Shelling and Drone Activity Reported Across South Lebanon
(09:37 AM)
Israeli artillery shelling targeted the vicinity of the Teachers’ Training Institute at the Nabatieh–Nabatieh El Faouqa Junction.
Israeli drones were also reported flying over the Beirut Southern Suburbs.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on Nabatieh El Faouqa and the eastern outskirts of Kfartebnit. No immediate casualty figures were reported.
Martyrs, wounded in airstrikes targeting vehicles in Maifadoun & Shoukine this afternoon
(June 16, 2026)
NNA – The Israeli enemy escalated its attacks this afternoon, targeting a vehicle in the town of Maifadoun with a drone, which bombed the area as residents gathered around, before targeting a second vehicle in the town.
A third vehicle was also targeted in the town of Shoukine, bringing the total number of attacks to three. According to initial reports, four civilians were martyred and others wounded.
Syria‘s al-Sharaa rejects military action against Hezbollah despite Trump‘s push – report
New details have also emerged regarding discussions involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives. Reports indicate that Trump proposed a framework in which the Syrian military would play a central role in a future effort to disarm Hezbollah.
The proposal, however, has reportedly faced skepticism from multiple sides. Israeli officials have questioned Syria‘s ability to effectively confront Hezbollah, while Lebanese authorities oppose the presence of foreign troops operating within Lebanon.
Trump Suggests Syria Should ‘Take Care’ of Hezbollah in Lebanon
“I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they’d do a better job of doing it,” Trump said. He went on to praise Sharaa, formerly known by his al-Qaeda nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, saying he “has pulled that country together very quickly, he’s very capable, and he’s very good for me. He’s protected everything that I’ve asked for.”
Sharraa and his group of jihadists, known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of al-Qaeda, took power in Damascus in December 2024, ousting former President Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa has been embraced by Trump and visited the White House despite HTS and affiliated fighters being responsible for massacres of Alawites, Druze, and other minorities in Syria.
Why Trump’s proposal for Syria to fight Hezbollah will send shudders across Lebanon
US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Israel allow Syria to “deal with Hezbollah,” claiming Damascus would do a “better job.” The proposal, which Trump has now raised twice this month, touches on some of Lebanon’s deepest anxieties: Syria’s long history of interference in its affairs and the jihadist past of the country’s new rulers.
Trump intensifies pressure on Netanyahu over Lebanon attacks
US President Donald Trump says Benjamin Netanyahu must be „more responsible“ in Lebanon and suggests asking Syria to fight Hezbollah „if Israel can‘t do the job without killing everyone else“.
Trump says Netanyahu „has to be more responsible“ with Lebanon, recent Israeli attack there was „too much“
Mr. Trump said Tuesday that Netanyahu „has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.“
„[I] didn‘t like where two hours before we‘re signing the agreement that there was an attack in Lebanon, in Beirut,“ Mr. Trump said Tuesday. He also described the attack as „vicious,“ saying it was „too much.“
But the president added he and Netanyahu have a „great relationship,“ and „we‘re talking about some end details.“
We can strengthen our chances of this deal holding by cutting all military/intel assistance to Israel, they took every opportunity to tank this deal & will likely do so again unless we take action.
We should also quietly get our troops out of the bases in the Gulf that can be reached by Iran. This ensures Iranian hardliners can’t strike us to drag us back into the fight.
Take away every factor that we can control that could force us back into the war on Israel or Iran’s terms.
Set all conditions that we can control in our favor.
US says Iran memorandum of understanding signed digitally: Report
The US and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending their nearly four-month war, senior US officials say, Reuters reported.
One US official said President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had signed the document.