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U.S.-Iran deal updates: Israel says no Lebanon withdrawal, Iran says funds expected before final talks - CBS News
From CBS News via USVI News: Israel says its forces will remain in Lebanon and Iran says it will get half of its frozen funds before final talks with the U.S. begin.
Follow updates on the war in the Middle East for Tuesday, June 16, here. See earlier developments below.What to know about the Iran war:
What to know about the Iran war:
- The memorandum of understanding outlining the U.S.-Iran deal has been signed electronically by both sides, U.S. officials say, and a signing ceremony is expected on Friday.
- Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said under the agreement, the country will receive half of its roughly $24 billion in long-frozen funds before final negotiations begin during a 60-day ceasefire extension. A U.S. official said earlier that Iran will get none of the money until it demonstrates compliance with the deal's terms.
- Israeli officials said the country is not bound by the agreement between the U.S. and Iran to end its fight with Hezbollah or to pull its forces out of Lebanon. President Trump, Pakistani mediators and Iran have said the deal includes a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Strait of Hormuz ship traffic apparently starting to resume
Iran and the United States said ships had started moving through the Strait of Hormuz again -- with President Trump saying the vital oil route would be "completely open" by Friday -- after Washington and Tehran announced agreement on a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities from the Middle East war.
The reopening of one of the world's most important energy chokepoints would mark a major step toward ending months of deadly conflict and economic turmoil triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
"Ships are starting to move, many loaded up with Oil, out of the Strait of Hormuz," Mr. Trump said, adding later that he did not "think we will need much help" keeping the waterway open.
The deal sparked a huge rally across global equities, with the Dow on Wall Street hitting a record high and crude prices plunging almost five percent.
Iranian media reported on Monday evening that three oil tankers and two laden cargo ships had passed through the area that had been subject to a U.S. naval blockade.
Iran had blockaded the strait since the start of the war, sending oil prices soaring and raising fears of a prolonged inflation shock. The United States then blocked shipping to and from Iranian ports.
Iran World Cup team coach says it was booted from U.S. right after first match
The coach of Iran's World Cup team said it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Monday night.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei didn't say who ordered the Iranians to leave earlier than planned. The team had expected to spend the night in California to maximize the normal recovery process after its opening game, only to be told after the match that everyone must immediately get on a plane for the 140-mile trip back to Tijuana.
"They didn't even give us time to recover," Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. "After the game today, they said to us, 'You have to leave immediately.' It's very important for us to have time for recovery, (but) we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that."
The Iranians' World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran ultimately decided to compete even after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of the U.S.
Trump calls reports of U.S. funding Iran's reconstruction "fake news"
President Trump wrote on Truth Social that "the story that the U.S. is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the Dumocrats!!!"
The president appeared to be referring to reports that Iran could get access to $300 billion to rebuild as part of the memorandum of understanding it inked with the United States over the weekend. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Monday the deal requires the U.S. and its allies to present postwar reconstruction plans in at least that amount — though it's unclear whether the money would come from the U.S. or other sources.
This article is republished through the USVI News affiliate desk. Reporting, analysis, and viewpoints are those of the original publisher and do not necessarily reflect USVI News.