Live: US eases sanctions as Iran secures $12bn asset release

Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, has warned Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon or risk what he described as a repeat of its withdrawal from the country in 2000.

In a social media post cited by Iranian state media, Qaani said Israel would face "humiliation and defeat" if it continued what he called its aggression and occupation in southern Lebanon.

"If you do not withdraw from southern Lebanon on your own feet, the epic of the year 2000 will be repeated once again, the same year you fled this land in disgrace," he said. "The choice is yours."

The remarks referenced Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, ending a military presence that had lasted 22 years. 

Former British Army officer Richard Kemp has come under fire after describing himself as "a goy, a mere goy" while delivering a speech extolling Israel and the Israeli military.

Speaking at a JNS event, Kemp declared that Jewish people were placed on Earth to be "a light unto nations" and made controversial claims that the Israeli military was showing the world how future wars should be fought.

Critics accused Kemp of glorifying Israel at a time when the country faces mounting international condemnation over its actions in Gaza, Lebanon and other neighbouring countries.

Former British Army officer Richard Kemp has come under fire after describing himself as "a goy, a mere goy" while delivering a speech extolling Israel and the Israeli military.

Speaking at a JNS event, Kemp declared that Jewish people were placed on Earth to be "a light unto… pic.twitter.com/CF8g3wsYXH

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 22, 2026

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has repeated his claim that the United States would not exist without Israel, defending remarks that previously drew attention and debate.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in West Jerusalem on 22 June, Huckabee said Western civilisation was founded on Jewish and Judeo-Christian principles.

"Without Israel, the United States would not exist," he said, adding: "Without that, there would be no United States. It's that simple." Huckabee acknowledged recent tensions in US-Israeli relations but argued that the relationship between the two countries remained enduring, describing it as an "unbreakable bond".  

US Vice President JD Vance said he had “two very, very important people” in his life, describing them as “an Indian and a Pakistani”, adding that “the Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir”.

He said he had spoken to Field Marshal Asim Munir “more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last 3 months”, crediting him as “a great military leader” and “great diplomat”, and calling him “an important part of getting us to this point” and “an amazing friend of the United States”.

The repeated contact comes amid ongoing US-Pakistan security and diplomatic engagement, including discussions linked to regional stability and broader Middle East tensions.

US Vice President JD Vance said he had “two very, very important people” in his life, describing them as “an Indian and a Pakistani”, adding that “the Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir”.

He said he had spoken to Field Marshal Asim Munir “more than I’ve… pic.twitter.com/YB6iUoEHST

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 22, 2026

Israeli defence minister Yisrael Katz has said Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, describing the site as a key component of what he called Israel's security zone along the northern frontier.

In a statement, Katz said: "Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort (Shaqif Castle), which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon."

He said that the strategic hilltop position serves as an important defensive point for communities in northern Israel and for Israeli forces deployed on the northern front. 

AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer Benyamin Ismail, said the Malaysian budget carrier has reduced fares by 5 percent since 15 June and plans to continue adjusting ticket prices as jet fuel costs decline.

Lingam said the US-Iran memorandum of understanding had brought welcome relief to the aviation sector, with fuel prices falling significantly from the highs reached during the conflict.

"The industry has been really affected by the rise in fuel prices. Hopefully, everything in the Middle East stays as it is today," he told reporters.

Singapore jet fuel was trading at about $112 a barrel on Friday, down from a peak of $242 on 30 March, though still above the pre-conflict level of around $80 a barrel.  

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf has praised the national football team's defensive performance in its World Cup draw against Belgium, comparing the display to Iranian people's steadfast defence of their country during the war against the United States and Israel.

In a post on X shortly after the match, Ghalibaf shared a photograph from the game with the caption: "This is how we protect our land."

The message drew a direct comparison between Iran's performance on the pitch and the country's response during the conflict.

Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand played a key role in the goalless draw, producing a series of saves to deny Belgium's attack, which included Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Iran's defence remained organised throughout the match, while Belgium's task became more difficult after defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off for fouling striker Mehdi Taremi.

This is how we protect our land pic.twitter.com/Y9x0OoE7Kb

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) June 21, 2026

The United States and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement, according to a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar following talks in Switzerland.

The mediators said a high-level committee has been established to provide political oversight of the process, while chief negotiators will regularly report to the body and oversee working groups focused on issues including Iran's nuclear programme, US sanctions and dispute resolution mechanisms.

The statement said the parties also agreed to establish a direct communication line concerning the Strait of Hormuz and a de-confliction cell tasked with supporting the end of military operations in Lebanon.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi described the negotiations as having achieved "major progress" towards ending the war in Lebanon.

He also said the United States had waived sanctions on Iranian oil exports, released some frozen Iranian assets and launched a major reconstruction and development initiative for Iran as part of the broader understanding between the two sides.

We welcome the convening of the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland today and the continuation of US-Iran talks. We thank Pakistan and all parties that contributed to this understanding and look forward to building on it. We also thank Switzerland for hosting the summit. pic.twitter.com/fYGA6NuUEf

— محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) June 21, 2026

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has linked a planned reduction in subsidised diesel prices to growing confidence that negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war could ease tensions in the Middle East and stabilise energy markets.

According to Malaysia's Star newspaper, Anwar said his government had decided to lower, rather than increase, subsidised diesel prices from next month despite global uncertainty.

He said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has played a key role in coordinating negotiations between the United States and Iran, had expressed confidence that the crisis in the Middle East could be eased.

"So far, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been coordinating much of the negotiations, told me that this time he is confident that the crisis in the Middle East can be eased. So this will help us in terms of diesel prices," Anwar said. 

The US military's Central Command (Centcom) has said American forces remain deployed across the Middle East, stating that US personnel continue to operate "in the skies, on land, and at sea" throughout the region.

In a social media post, Centcom shared a photograph of two warplanes conducting what it described as a routine patrol.

Earlier, the command also released images showing US service members aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.

The statement comes as diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran continue, with negotiations in Switzerland focused on implementing the recently agreed memorandum of understanding.

Two U.S. Air Force A-10 attack aircraft fly together over the Middle East during a routine patrol. U.S. forces continue to be present in the skies, on land, and at sea throughout the region. pic.twitter.com/TGyJ7FWdIP

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 21, 2026

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has indicated that diplomatic efforts surrounding the US-Iran negotiations remain active, sharing a photograph with US negotiators JD Vance and Jared Kushner from Switzerland.

In a post on X, Sheikh Mohammed wrote: "Live from Lucerne, work continues."

The brief update came as mediators from Qatar and Pakistan continued efforts to advance implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, following a day of talks that both sides described as constructive and productive.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_, during the proceedings of the Lucerne : "Qatar will stay dedicated to this partnership to support these mediations until the end, until we reach a solution. We… pic.twitter.com/h17dYgUq8w

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 21, 2026

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the country's officials, negotiators and footballers are all engaged in defending the honour and dignity of the Iranian people, sharing a social media post that combined images of schoolgirls killed in a February strike with scenes from the World Cup.

"From the football pitch to the negotiating table to the battlefield, every step we take as Iranians is part of a larger struggle: defending the honor and dignity of our dear people," Araghchi wrote.

The post came as mediators reported progress in US-Iran talks in Switzerland and after Iran drew with Belgium in a World Cup group-stage match.

Araghchi also referenced the victims of the missile attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School in Minab on 28 February, in which about 160 people, most of them schoolgirls and teachers, were killed.

From the football pitch to the negotiating table to the battlefield, every step we take as Iranians is part of a larger struggle: defending the honor and dignity of our dear people.#Minab168 pic.twitter.com/CFZ6EbYo49

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2026

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has welcomed the outcome of the latest US-Iran talks in Switzerland, crediting Pakistani and Qatari mediation efforts with helping achieve what he described as major progress towards ending the war in Lebanon.

In a post on social media, Araghchi said that oil and petrochemical exports had been exempted from restrictions, the blockade had been lifted, some frozen Iranian assets had been released and a major reconstruction and development programme for Iran had been launched.

Despite the reported progress, he cautioned that implementation would be the true measure of success, saying the first "real test" of the agreement would be the newly established Lebanon deconfliction cell, which is intended to oversee adherence to the cessation of military operations in Lebanon.

Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.

1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell https://t.co/q0okD2qwSO

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2026

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the work of Tehran's negotiating delegation in Switzerland has been completed, with the next phase of discussions to be handled by technical teams tasked with implementing the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States.

Speaking to Iranian media, Baghaei said it had been agreed that technical teams would continue work on issues necessary for the effective implementation of the agreement.

"It was agreed that technical teams will continue their work on the issues necessary for the effective implementation of this memorandum of understanding," he said.

"At this stage, the work of the negotiating delegation is complete, but the technical teams will continue their work tomorrow."

A joint statement issued by the mediators of the US-Iran negotiations said the parties had agreed to establish a de-confliction cell aimed at supporting the implementation of the memorandum of understanding's provisions on Lebanon.

According to the statement, the mechanism will involve representatives of the United States, Iran and the Lebanese government, with mediation support from the countries facilitating the talks.

The statement said the de-confliction cell would work "to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon as per the MoU".

The move creates a direct channel for addressing incidents, reducing the risk of escalation and monitoring compliance with commitments to end hostilities in Lebanon, an issue that has emerged as one of the most sensitive elements of the broader US-Iran agreement.