Defense Minister Israel Katz on Israel's security policy: * The IDF will remain indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to protect Israeli citizens. * We firmly oppose withdrawing from Lebanon, a position made clear to the US. * If Iran attacks over Lebanon, Israel will strike back with full force.

Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the US and Iran, which supposedly also includes ending the fighting against Hezbollah. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy that determines that the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, to protect the border and Israeli communities from there against jihadist elements," Katz says in a statement. He says the security zones will be "cleared of local residents, and all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, including the houses in the contact-line villages that served as terror outposts, will be destroyed." Katz says that holding onto the security zones is "among the IDF's greatest achievements" in the war, and therefore, "we oppose an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, despite all the existing pressures and those that will still come." "Prime Minister Netanyahu made these points clear to US President Trump and to other senior American officials, and I also made this clear yesterday to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth," he says, adding that the IDF also supports holding onto the security zone in Lebanon. "We will not compromise on Israel's security interests and the protection of our citizens, and we will not withdraw from the security zones," Katz says. Katz also warns that "if Iran attacks Israel because of the events in Lebanon, we will strike it with full force." "We are committed only to our citizens and to the security of the State of Israel," he adds.

Correct — several things can be true at once: Only a fool or someone being dishonest would believe that these issues were — or are — ever going to be resolved via negotiations with this regime. Whether the failed and/or flawed JCPOA that you negotiated, or if negotiations were done before or after this round of fighting.

Linking Lebanon to the Iran deal was never about saving Hezbollah, but rather exploiting it as a pressure lever, which Iran used to squeeze last-minute concessions from Trump. Iran and the U.S. both signaled they wanted to reach a deal today, but there were still some unresolved issues. So there were two developments this morning: Qatari negotiators traveled to Tehran and Hezbollah launched three drones into Israeli territory. Since the IRGC still has in Lebanon officials who have reportedly taken over much of the decision-making in Hezbollah, it seems hard to believe that Iran wasn’t at least aware of Hezbollah’s intent to target northern Israel, if it wasn’t commissioned by Tehran in the first place. And look at the results, Trump is reportedly furious with Netanyahu, and the Qataris were perfectly situated to complete the maneuver and pressure Trump into signing the deal today, with the unresolved issues suddenly resolved. I recently wrote that Israel wouldn’t allow Iran to link Lebanon to the deal. But I was wrong. Iran already made that link. It was simply showing us how it worked. But I also wrote that the only pressure lever Iran actually had over Israel was to tie the two arenas together and to use Hezbollah to pressure Trump, thus limiting Israel’s response. Linking Lebanon to the Iran deal was never for the sake of Hezbollah, but rather at its expense. When it felt like it needed to, which it did today, Iran used its Hezbollah card to strengthen its hand in the negotiations, and it paid off, seemingly squeezing Trump to sign the deal at relatively favorable terms for Iran, based on some the reporting.

This confirms what I wrote earlier -- The IRGC controls Hezbollah, so these drones into Israel were an intentional part of their negotiating strategy. This is done for a few reasons: — the Regime wanted to show as the deal is signed that it is in control, it is the winning side, and fighting and firing until the ceasefire deal signed. — the Regime saw Trump desperate for a deal, and these rounds of fighting caused Trump to capitulate to Regime demands — and/or for Trump to drop certain demands — for fear of the deal falling apart. The Hezbollah attack on Israel today was a very calculated attack by the Iranian Regime to get more concessions from Trump and it worked. Trump and his negotiators fell for it ... again.

This deal isn't going to last long if this is the case, since Israel isn't getting out of Lebanon until Hezbollah fully disarms south of the Litani River, as agreed to by the Israeli and Lebanese governments. Hezbollah and the IRGC have refused to disarm south of the Litani.

If this is indeed the deal, Trump's decision to engage in this round of fighting with Iran will have been a major mistake. America (and certainly Israel) would have been best served by allowing Israel to do the job alone, with Trump just providing support to the Israelis.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: The enemy who attacked to implement its sinister objectives failed in all its goals, and the Islamic Republic of Iran achieved great victories in the war. After the official signing, the text of the memorandum will be published. Before the signing, we will also explain the various dimensions of the memorandum of understanding through the media and announce the achievements.

Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland. We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in this mediation effort, the great leadership of State of Qatar, for their support in reaching this agreement. I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Türkiye for their immense contributions in this regard. With the agreement now in place, mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony. @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @SecRubio @SteveWitkoff @SEPeaceMissions @drpezeshkian @mb_ghalibaf @araghchi

Iranian state TV announces reaching an agreement with the U.S.: The humiliation of America and the Zionist regime by Iran, by imposing its will on the enemy, forced America to accept the end of the war on all fronts.

Holding this coward accountable is sound judgment.

🚨🚨🚨Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif: Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland

🔴 BREAKING: Pakistani PM: Peace deal between US and Iran has been reached, official signing ceremony will be on Friday in Switzerland

Hezbollah attacks Israeli territory, but Israel responding “harms the deal.” Iran will (likely soon) attack Israeli territory, but Israel responding “undermines the MoU.” No self-respecting sovereign country would agree to live like this. Don’t ask Israel to.

A rocket launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon struck near the northern community of Neot Mordechai, close to Kiryat Shmona, a short while ago, the IDF says. The military says several more rockets launched in the barrage impacted near troops in southern Lebanon. Additionally, several apparent Hezbollah drones struck Israeli territory, near the border with Lebanon, a short while ago, the IDF adds.

Spoke with President Trump. He says the deal with Iran is expected to be signed in the next 2-3 hours. President Trump said he asked Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu “what the fu*k are you doing?” on a call after the Israeli strikes against Beirut. He told Netanyahu not to conduct additional strikes. The President told me he will ask Iran not to respond with missile fire toward Israel. More on @FoxNews.

The IRGC controls Hezbollah, so these drones into Israel were intentional to get an Israeli response, and then Iran will fire missiles into Israel. This is done for a few reasons: — the Regime wants to show as the deal is signed that it is in control, it is the winning side, and fighting and firing until the ceasefire deal signed. — the Regime see the Trump admin desperate for a deal, and these rounds of fighting cause Trump to capitulate to Regime demands — or for Trump to drop certain demands — for fear of the deal falling apart. This is all very calculated by the Iranian Regime. It’s part of their negotiating strategy, and shaping the deal. Trump and his negotiators bite every time.

רולא נצר, שופר של חזבאללה, מפרסמת סרטון להרוגי טבח הנובה וטוענת שמדובר בהרוגים ישראלים במלחמה בלבנון. חזבאללה במצוקה - התפקוד הצבאי שלהם גרוע, הם מאבדים אלפי פעילים, שטחים בלי מאבק (אתמול איבדו את כפר תבנית ומג'דל זון תוך שעות ספורות ובלי אבדות או פצועים ישראלים), ובתמורה הצליחו להרוג עד כה ישראלי כל שלושה ימים בממוצע. מכל קצוות המפה הפוליטית נשמעת הביקורת על חזבאללה שסיבך את לבנון במלחמה מול אויב חזק ממנו בהרבה, אכזר והרסני. הביקורת נשמעת אפילו בחוגים פרטיים של תומכי אמל, המפלגה השיעית שמאז 1990 תמיד הייתה בת ברית של חזבאללה, אם כי לא בפומבי. מתוך המצוקה הזו, חזבאללה נאלץ להמציא ניצחונות דמיוניים כמו מאות הרוגים ישראלים נסתרים. השמדת עשרות טנקים וקרבות פנים-אל-פנים שלא היו ולא נבראו. גם נצראללה, לפני שנהרג, טען בנאומיו שמלחמתם מאז ה-8.10.23 הייתה קטלנית בהרבה ממה שטוענת ישראל וישנו מאמץ מאורגן להסתיר הרוגים. כמובן שהטענה הזו מעידה על בורות עמוקה בנוגע לתקשורת בישראל, הקושי להסתיר אפילו מידע מסווג אמיתי, ובנוגע לחברה הישראלית וקידוש הנופלים וההתגאות בהם במקום החבאתם. (הציוץ אינו מהווה הבעת תמיכה בהמשך הלחימה בלבנון. בוודאי שעם המגבלות האמריקניות הנוכחיות אין לישראל יכולת להחליש את חזבאללה באופן אסטרטגי ובכך לחזק את ממשלת לבנון מול חזבאללה ולהקל עליה לנקוט צעדים מול הארגון. לכן עדיף לסיים את המלחמה בהקדם).

Hezbollah commander Ali al-Hajj was killed in the Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, sources tell Al Arabiya.

🧵FAKE Gaza Journalist Alert: Helmi Al-Faqawi is listed by @pressfreedom as a journalist killed by the IDF at a "reporter's tent" at Nasser Hospital. But PIJ confirmed he was a commander—he used the hospital as a base. The 14th fake journalist outed in the last few weeks. 1/