Iran Ready for Diplomacy Pending US‑Israel Ceasefire Compliance
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told Al Jazeera that Tehran is "ready to move forward" with negotiations provided the United States demonstrates commitment to the recently‑agreed memorandum of understanding and ensures that Israel halts its military operations in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed this view, stating that Washington bears responsibility for ending hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, in line with the agreement’s terms.
A U.S. official informed Reuters that Israel and Hezbollah had reached a ceasefire in Lebanon after several days of intensified fighting. Nevertheless, Israeli military actions continued in southern Lebanon; Lebanese health authorities reported that Israeli strikes on Friday killed at least 47 people and wounded 97, with further air raids reported after the ceasefire announcement.
The ongoing violence is identified as a key obstacle to the planned U.S.–Iran negotiations. According to reports from Washington, a meeting in Geneva that was to involve U.S. Vice President JD Vance was postponed after Iranian representatives declined to travel while military operations in Lebanon persisted.
Former President Donald Trump reiterated his push for a broader agreement with Tehran, warning that the two sides have 60 days to reach a final deal and stating, "We have to make a deal," adding that failure could trigger actions that "won’t make them happy."
The conflict has also heightened concerns about global energy supplies and shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass, remains open, though maritime authorities continue to advise caution as naval clearance operations proceed.
Diplomatic efforts continue ahead of talks scheduled for June 21 in Egypt, where mediators including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are set to discuss steps aimed at preserving the ceasefire framework and advancing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Market reaction reflected the geopolitical tension: energy stocks rose with Chevron (CVX) +2.22%, Exxon Mobil (XOM) +2.08%, while defense equities gained Lockheed Martin (LMT) +4.01% and Raytheon Technologies (RTX) +3.62%. Crude oil prices increased 0.90%, and natural gas rose 1.11%.