Iran demands ships apply to use Strait of Hormuz in snub to UK and G7 allies Tehran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority says vessels have to request passage through the strategic waterway. Evening Standard · Jun 19
Trump lashed out at Vance telling him, ‘Everyone just needs to copy what I say’ on Iran, book reveals Trump reportedly fumed that Vance hadn’t backed up his claim that a U.S. attack on Iran had ‘obliterated’ the country’s nuclear program The Independent UK · Jun 19
JD Vance says his mother asked 'which tribe?' after learning about Usha’s Indian heritage US vice president JD Vance has shared a personal story about his family's first reaction to learning that his future wife, Usha Vance, was of Indian origin. The Times of India · Jun 19
Obama says Trump’s Iran agreement may leave the US in worse situation than before ‘We've now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, put enormous strain on our military,’ the former president warns The Independent UK · Jun 19
Two websites restrict reviews of JD Vance’s book after savage critiques JD Vance’s new book is a memoir about his conversion to Catholicism The Independent UK · Jun 19
Israel and Hezbollah renew ceasefire after deadly flareup disrupts opening of Iran talks At least five killed in Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning, as US envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly prepares to open talks with Iranian foreign minister The Guardian - UK · Jun 19
How Iran war may boost JD Vance's White House ambitions US Vice President JD Vance has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in President Donald Trump's administration during efforts to end the three-month war with Iran. As Reuters reported, Trump has effectively placed Vance at the centre of negotiations aimed at turning a fragile ceasefire into a broader… The Times of India · Jun 19
Gentlemen's agreement: Did the US cut secret side deals with Iran? Behind the public 14-point MoU, secret negotiations between the US and Iran are reportedly delving into sensitive nuclear program details. While officials deny 'side deals,' unreleased documents, including potential IAEA inspection letters, hint at deeper understandings. This lack of transparency raises concerns about accountability and the fragile peace process. The Economic Times · Jun 19
Swiss Miss: Vance cans trip for Iran talks as critics go nuclear over US ditching Israel TOI correspondent from Washington: The White House on Friday postponed vice president JD Vance’s planned visit to Switzerland to formally sign the MoU and initiate talks with an Iranian team after Israel and Hezbollah continued their firefight in southern Lebanon, illustrating once again that peace in the Middle East may… The Times of India · Jun 19
US push to get Iran talks started hits an early bump due to intense fighting in Lebanon High-stakes talks between the US and Iran have stalled as Tehran demands an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon before negotiations can begin. Vice President Vance's planned trip to Switzerland was postponed amid escalating violence. President Trump expressed confidence in the 60-day negotiation window, while Iran's supreme leader endorsed direct… The Economic Times · Jun 19
Bernie Sanders files bill proposing 50% public ownership of US AI firms and giving out $1,000 dividends — VP Vance says Trump supports giving the American people a stake in AI companies, prefers ‘pre-distribution’ over giving away cash U.S. politicians are thinking about how they can ensure that the American people can benefit from AI. Tom’s Hardware · Jun 19
The Guardian - US · Jun 19 Barack Obama says US is ‘worse off’ than before war with Iran Former president nevertheless said in an interview that he was happy to see a ceasefire with Iran and hopes it holds
The Guardian - US · Jun 19 JD Vance, once an ‘angry atheist’, is America’s most powerful Catholic. How will he wield his faith? In his new memoir, the vice-president covers his conversion and politics – at a time when hardline Catholicism is ascendant in the US
Reason · Jun 19 Bibi Tearing Up the Deal Plus: Knicks appreciation, justice startup to watch the watchmen, M&Ms go natural, and more...
Bangkok Post · Jun 19 US-Iran deal comes under immediate strain GENEVA - Deadly exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon put a newly signed deal to end the Middle East war under further strain on Friday, after the postponement of planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland.
AAP · Jun 19 Israel and Hezbollah agree to renew their ceasefire, officials say Israel and the Hezbollah militant group have agree to renew their ceasefire after fighting postponed Iran-U.S. talks in Switzerland
The Guardian - UK · Jun 19 First Thing: US-Iran peace talks abruptly cancelled amid renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon JD Vance lambasts Israeli critics of proposed deal but does not travel to Europe as planned
The Economic Times · Jun 19 US-Iran deal under immediate strain as fighting flares in Lebanon Escalating Israel-Hezbollah clashes in Lebanon are jeopardizing a recently signed Middle East peace deal. Planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland have been postponed amid warnings from Tehran of continued defiance. The accord, aimed at ending the war initiated by US-Israeli strikes, faces challenges from Israeli actions and internal Iranian hardliners, despite…
AAP · Jun 19 Talks between the US and Iran are called off because of fighting in Lebanon, officials say Talks between the U.S. and Iran were called off on Friday after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon