News Digest — 6/15/26
Pakistan Releases Terms Of US-Iran Deal; Appears To Show US Capitulation
Pakistan has published what it says are the terms of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding, including the lifting of sanctions on Iran, the release of some frozen Iranian assets, an end to the US blockade, and a complete ceasefire across all fronts, including an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
According to the reported terms, Iran would retain its uranium stockpile and nuclear facilities, oversee shipping through the Strait of Hormiz while collecting transit fees, and receive a $300 billion compensation fund.
Meanwhile, senior Iranian officials told the New York Times that Tehran canceled a planned attack on Israel following the breakthrough.
President Trump declared late Sunday (14th) that a US-Iran agreement is complete, signaling a dramatic breakthrough after months of negotiations and weeks of military confrontation.
“The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I thereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow.”
The breakthrough follows weeks of escalating tensions that saw Iran shoot down a US Apache helicopter, triggering American retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets. Tehran later launched ballistic missiles and drones at US assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, while Washington imposed a naval blockade that sharply restricted Iranian oil exports and maritime traffic.
Trump spent much of Sunday (14th) defending the emerging agreement and pushing back against critics who compared it to the Obama era nuclear deal.
In one Truth Social post, Trump insisted the agreement would permanently prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and the Strait of Hormuz will be opening up for business very shortly,” he wrote.
In another, he criticized Democratic Sen. Jack Reed for comparing the agreement to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
“Our Deal is a WALL against Iran ever having a Nuclear Weapon, the complete opposite of Obama,” Trump wrote, arguing that the new framework bears little resemblance to the agreement negotiated by the Obama administration.
However, the terms reported by Pakistan suggest that the United States effectively capitulated to Iranian demands.
Israel Tells Trump It Is Not Bound By Lebanon Clause In Iran Deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by the Lebanon clause in the emerging agreement with Iran, Israeli officials said, making clear that Jerusalem will not accept any agreement that limits its freedom to act against Hezbollah.
According to Israeli officials, Netanyahu also told Trump that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon. The IDF will remain in the positions it currently holds and will continue operating to foil threats from Hezbollah, including destroying terror infrastructure and responding to any attack on Israel.
The understanding among ministers in the Security Cabinet is that Israel is standing firm on its interests in Lebanon, and that Netanyahu received full backing in the cabinet meeting for his position.
The dispute comes after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Trump and Iran all announced that a US-Iran agreement had been reached. According to Pakistan, the deal is meant to end the US-Iran war and halt military operations on several fronts, including Lebanon.
That clause has become a redline for Israel. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terror group based in Lebanon, has been fighting Israel from across the northern border. Israel says it must retain freedom to strike Hezbollah targets in order to protect northern communities and prevent the group from rebuilding its forces near the border.
Israeli officials assessed overnight that Tehran had decided to “close the incident” and avoid attacking Israel after an Israeli strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold in the Lebanese capital. Iran had threatened to retaliate, but Israeli officials believe US pressure and mediation efforts led Tehran to stand down rather than risk derailing the agreement.
Senior Israeli officials said the Lebanese clause is “something we will have to stand firm on anyway if we are asked to make withdrawals there.” According to one official, Netanyahu is “standing firm and succeeding in pushing back such Iranian demands,” and the Americans understand that Israel views the issue as a nonstarter.
During the cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that if Iran fired at Israel, Israel should respond forcefully in Lebanon rather than inside Iran. His reasoning, according to officials familiar with the discussion, was that Iran is Trump’s arena because the US president led the campaign and negotiations against Tehran. Lebanon, by contrast, is Israel’s immediate security arena.
Under the approach, Israel would avoid being blamed for sabotaging Trump’s deal by striking inside Iran, while still preserving its freedom of action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
But ministers said Lebanon is different. Israel is fighting Hezbollah there, paying a price and defending the security of residents in northern Israel. Officials said Israel cannot return to the reality that was before the October 7 attack, when it says its hands were tied while threats built up along its borders.
Herzog Welcomes Somaliland President In Historic Jerusalem Visit
President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog on Sunday (14th) hosted President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi of the Republic of Somaliland and First Lady Fadowsa Mohamed Roble during the first-ever state visit by a Somaliland president to Israel.
The Somaliland delegation was welcomed at an official ceremony at the President’s Residence before the two presidents held a private meeting and delivered statements to the media. Herzog and the First Lady later hosted the Somaliland delegation for an official state luncheon.
Welcoming his counterpart, Herzog described the visit as marking “the great potential of this wonderful new partnership.”
“We met back in Davos earlier this year, and now I’m very happy to welcome you to our home for a visit, which symbolizes the great potential of the wonderful new partnership,” he said.
Herzog noted that Israel had recognized Somaliland as an independent state and that Somaliland had opened an embassy in Jerusalem.
“The beautiful images of the people of Somaliland waving Israeli flags in celebration of this new relationship warmed all of our hearts,” Herzog said. “Today, we are equally delighted to have the flags of Soomaliland flying here in the President’s Residence and all throughout Jerusalem.”
The President said the two countries would seek to expand cooperation in multiple fields while addressing shared strategic challenges.
“We need to move from declarations to people-to-people cooperation in a range of fields,” Herzog said. “We both face the threats of radical extremism. We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom.”
He added that the relationship with Somaliland comes amid expanding ties between Israel and African nations.
“While there are those who seek to keep Israel and African nations apart, I’m certain these ties will grow and grow,” Herzog said.
President Abdillahi described the visit as “truly a historic visit” and thanked Israel for the reception accorded to his delegation.
“I wish, at the outset, to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptionally warm welcome, the dignity of the reception, and the spirit of friendship that has defined every moment of this visit,” he said
Abdillahi noted that the visit marked the first state visit by a President of Somaliland to another country.
“It is the first state visit by a president of the Republic of Somaliland to another country, and we are deeply appreciative that the State of Israel has chosen to receive us with such an honor on this historic occasion.”
He also thanked Israel’s leadership for its engagement with Somaliland.
“Today I stand here with the greetings, the thanks, the appreciation of six million Somaliland Muslims,” Abdillahi said. “Today I want to thank the government of Israel, the President, the Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister.”
Referring to Somaliland’s efforts to gain international recognition, Abdillahi added, “Somaliland has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years. They were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that’s the government of Israel and its people.”
The Ongoing Charade Of Hamas Disarmament – Khaled Abu Toameh
Six months after President Trump announced his ceasefire initiative for Gaza, Hamas is still armed, still in control of large parts of Gaza, and still openly refusing to surrender its weapons. Last week, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey gathered in Cairo with Hamas leaders and representatives of several Palestinian factions in yet another attempt to persuade the Iran-backed Islamist group to comply with Trump’s peace plan, which calls for the demilitarization of Gaza and the decommissioning of weapons held by Hamas and other armed groups.
The message Hamas is sending remains as defiant as ever. Hamas continues to set conditions before it would even consider surrendering its weapons. Among its demands are a full Israel withdrawal, increased humanitarian aid, guarantees for the safety of its leaders and members, the dismantling of armed groups it claims are backed by Israel, and the integration of its administrative personnel into any future governing structure in Gaza. Hamas is behaving like a victorious army dictating its terms.
The notion that Hamas would voluntarily surrender the means that allow it to dominate Gaza, intimidate Palestinians, and wage jihad (holy war) against Israel is detached from reality. Hamas did not spend decades building a military infrastructure, digging tunnels, stockpiling rockets, and indoctrinating generations of Palestinians only to hand over its weapons because mediators asked politely. Terrorist organizations do not voluntarily negotiate themselves out of existence.
No serious observer believes that Hamas would permanently relinquish its military capabilities while continuing to exist as a political movement. Any agreement that allows Hamas to survive politically while retaining influence over Gaza is only postponing the next war. The fundamental problem with the current approach is that it treats Hamas as a legitimate political actor. Negotiating with Hamas over whether it should surrender its weapons is like negotiating with a bank robber over whether he should keep his gun.
That Qatar and Turkey are once again serving as mediators just adds another layer of lunacy to the process. Both countries have long been among Hamas’ most important political and financial supporters. Hamas leaders have enjoyed safe haven in Qatar and Turkey for years.
Hamas and Iran are not interested in peace. They are interested in survival. In their eyes, if they can maneuver the “Great Satan,” the U.S., to compromise, they win and America loses. Survival means remaining armed so that they can continue pursuing the elimination of Israel.
What America Gets For $3.8 Billion In Military Aid To Israel – And The War Ahead –Maj. (ret.) John Spencer
Many of the benefits America receives from Israel would continue even if the aid disappeared tomorrow. Israel shares intelligence, develops military technologies, and confronts common adversaries because the two countries share interests, threats, and a decades-long strategic partnership. The assistance helped build and strengthen a strategic partnership that now generates enormous value for both countries. Does any other recipient of American military assistance provide as much in return?
The U.S. provides military assistance through a program which allows partner nations to purchase American -made military equipment. Egypt receives$1.3 billion annually in military aid. Jordan receives almost half a billion. Almost all of the military assistance provided to Israel is spent in the U.S. The money does not leave the American economy. It circulates through the American factories, American supply chains, and American workers. In practice, much of what critics describe as Foreign aid, flows directly to American defense companies.
Israel is the highest international operator of the F-35 fighter aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. Israel also purchases American helicopters, precision-guided munitions, communications systems, radar equipment, engines, and other military technology. The U.S. and Israel cooperate on missile defense programs in which American companies manufacture major components. American engineers participate in development, and American military organizations benefit directly from the resulting technologies and operational knowledge.
The Trophy Active Protection System, developed by Israel and proven in combat against anti-tank missiles, has been integrated into U.S. Army Abrams tanks and other vehicles to help protect American crews. American engineers and military planners have benefited from Israeli advances in missile defense, F-35 operational experience, battlefield medicine innovations, counter-drone technologies, tunnel warfare, and artificial intelligence applications for intelligence fusion, target recognition, and battlefield decision making.
The U.S. maintains alliances because they reduce risk, strengthen deterrence, expand influence, and help protect American interests. Israel has filled that role for decades in one of the world’s most important and unstable regions. Israel confronts threats from Iran and its proxies every day with its own military, its own resources, and its own political leadership. Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig once described Israel as an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East.
Israel secures itself. Israel funds the overwhelming majority of its own defense. Israel fields one of the world’s most capable militaries and routinely acts against threats that concern Washington as much as Jerusalem. Israeli intelligence has contributed to efforts that protect American personnel, diplomatic facilities, and interests overseas, while helping disrupt terrorist plots and weapons proliferation networks before they reached American targets.
The writer is chair of urban warfare studies at West Point’s Modern War Institute.
