Day 122 | US, Iran agree to halt mutual attacks in Hormuz: Axios

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Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will fulfill its commitments if the United States adheres to their agreement, adding that Tehran favors rationality and dialogue but will respond "decisively and fearlessly" to what he described as unreasonable threats and intimidation.

تفاهم امری طرفینی است. اگر طرف آمریکایی به تفاهم نامه پایبند باشد ما هم به تعهداتمان عمل می‌کنیم.
رویکرد ما در مقابل رجزخوانی‌های نامعقول و تهدیدهای بی‌پشتوانه، تکیه بر عقلانیت و کرامت انسانی در تصمیم‌گیری‌ها و دفاع قاطع و بی‌پروا به هنگام عمل است.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) June 29, 2026

• Travelers must register through the Twajudi service before departure.
• Unregistered travelers face suspension and legal action.
• Returnees must notify authorities through the app.
• Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi welcomed the decision.

The United Arab Emirates has lifted its travel ban on citizens traveling to Lebanon, effective Monday, June 29, 2026.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced the decision, specifying that while travel routes are reopening, citizens must adhere to rigorous regulatory conditions before boarding their flights.

Under the newly updated directive, traveling to Lebanon is strictly contingent upon mandatory enrollment in the state's "Twajudi" service.

وزارة الخارجية تسمح بسفر مواطني الدولة إلى الجمهورية اللبنانية اعتبارا من 29 يونيو 2026https://t.co/Q8Ku0uNZFt pic.twitter.com/EvByDlspHd

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) June 29, 2026

Mandatory protocols 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the "Twajudi" registration must be fully completed before reaching the gate.

UAE nationals will be prohibited from departing from UAE airports unless they are successfully registered on the digital platform.

Furthermore, federal authorities issued a clear warning that failing to comply with the pre-departure protocol may lead to immediate travel delays or carry potential legal consequences for the individuals involved.

The compliance framework also requires travelers to log back into the Twajudi platform to formally notify authorities of their return once their trip is completed.

Reversal of April ban

This new directive modifies a strict regional travel advisory issued earlier this year.

On April 30, the UAE imposed sweeping travel restrictions on nationals heading to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq due to ongoing regional developments.

At that time, the government took precautionary measures to safeguard its population, actively urging all citizens already residing or traveling in those three nations to expedite an immediate return to the UAE.

Ministry officials stated that the decision to reopen travel paths with integrated tracking conditions aligns with the UAE’s ongoing commitment to monitoring the wellbeing and ensuring the safety of its nationals while they are abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored that all citizens must strictly follow the instructions and advisories issued.

For any urgent developments or situational assistance while traveling, the ministry advised UAE nationals to contact the government immediately via its dedicated hotline at +971 800 24.

Lebanon appreciates UAE policy shift

Responding to the decision on Monday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi released a statement expressing profound appreciation for the diplomatic shift, framing it as an endorsement of Lebanon's institutional stabilization.

"The United Arab Emirates decision to lift the travel ban on Lebanon deserves our sincere appreciation," Raggi stated. "It is more than an administrative measure; it is a sign of confidence in a State that has regained control of its political and security decision making, and clear evidence that Lebanon is steadily moving in the right direction.

The United Arab Emirates decision to lift the travel ban on Lebanon deserves our sincere appreciation. It is more than an administrative measure; it is a sign of confidence in a State that has regained control of its political and security decision making, and clear evidence that…

— Youssef Raggi (@YoussefRaggi) June 29, 2026

The more the State strengthens its presence, consolidates its sovereignty, and advances on the path of stability and reform, the more it rallies the support of its Arab brothers and international partners.

Countries are once again opening up to Lebanon with confidence, convinced that the country’s future can only be built on a strong State and one national decision-making authority."

Lebanese state media on Monday said an 'Israeli' strike hit the country's south, despite a framework accord signed by the two countries last week aimed at securing a peace deal.

"Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike targeting the area between the southern Lebanese towns of Qantara and Deir Seryan," the state-run National News Agency said.

US President Donald Trump said an upcoming meeting in Doha concerning Iran "is going to be perhaps important, perhaps not," adding, "We will find out."

Iran on Monday said a delegation of experts would travel to Doha this week for discussions on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States earlier this month.

"An expert delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran will travel to Doha later this week" to discuss the implementation of clauses of the memorandum, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.

"We have not yet entered the stage of negotiating a final agreement," he said, noting that "over the coming days, we will not have any negotiation meetings with the US side at any level".

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said no meetings with the United States are scheduled in the coming days, adding that Iran’s delegation will visit Qatar to focus on implementing a memorandum of understanding rather than holding talks with US officials.

The ministry also said the American delegation’s visit to Qatar is unrelated to Iran’s trip.

Iran has said it will not allow France or Oman to take part in efforts to clear mines from the strategic Strait of Hormuz, insisting that demining operations fall exclusively under Iranian authority.

The statement came from Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kasem Gharibabadi, who rejected a joint French–Omani initiative announced earlier this week to help reduce tensions in the region.

“The situation is sensitive and complex,” Gharibabadi said. “We strongly advise France not to complicate it further with its provocations.”

He added that Tehran “fundamentally does not permit any such thing,” referring to foreign involvement in demining operations in the waterway, through which a significant share of global oil shipments pass.

Today, French President Emmanuel Macron and officials from France alongside Oman announced plans to coordinate with international partners on clearing mines from the strait and to work toward de-escalating regional tensions. The initiative was presented as part of broader diplomatic efforts to stabilize maritime security in the Gulf.

An 'Israeli' military reserve soldier was severely injured on Monday following an explosion in southern Lebanon.

According to an official statement from the 'Israeli' military, the wounded soldier was subsequently evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, and the individual's family has been notified of the incident.

France and Oman have agreed to work with international partners on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz and supporting efforts to reduce regional tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday.

Following a meeting at the Élysée Palace with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Macron said the two countries would collaborate “in conjunction with our partners” to secure one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes.

“We have decided to collaborate, in conjunction with our partners, on clearing mines from the Strait in order to secure maritime routes and guarantee free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron wrote on social media after the talks.

The commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Adm. Brad Cooper, met senior civilian and military officials in 'Israel' and Lebanon during an ongoing regional visit, CENTCOM said in a post on X.

In Lebanon, Cooper held talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Rodolphe Haykal. The discussions focused on the implementation of a “historic framework agreement” signed recently in Washington, D.C., aimed at shaping future security arrangements.

The visit comes as the United States continues engagement with Lebanese military leadership amid broader regional tensions and efforts to strengthen state institutions.

In 'Israel', Cooper also visited deployed US troops and recognized service members for what CENTCOM described as outstanding mission contributions.

According to CENTCOM, more than 50,000 American service members are currently operating across the Middle East, with the command stating they remain “vigilant and ready” amid ongoing security challenges in the region.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told the US Central Command chief on Monday that he was committed to extending the state's control through its military up to the border with 'Israel', where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence.

He reaffirmed to Admiral Brad Cooper "the Lebanese state's determination to extend its authority, through its armed forces, to the southern border", the presidency said in a statement, adding that the pair discussed preparations for implementing a framework agreement between Lebanon, 'Israel' and the US.

Iran has denied US President Donald Trump’s claim that a meeting with American officials is planned in Doha. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said no technical talks with the US have been scheduled this week.

However, he confirmed that consultations with Qatar are ongoing. While the discussions were originally expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, attention has shifted to easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

The two sides remain far apart. Iranian officials insist they will continue to exercise control over the strategic waterway, arguing that such authority is supported by existing agreements. The United States, meanwhile, maintains that Iran should not control the Strait of Hormuz and that freedom of navigation for international shipping must be upheld.

US President Trump’s envoys will attend a meeting with Iranian officials in Qatar on Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt says.

“Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be flying to Doha for high-level meetings this week as we continue to discuss the memorandum of understanding,” she said in an interview with Fox News.

“On the sidelines of those high-level talks, there will be the technical talks,” Leavitt added.

Trump announced the meeting in a social media post earlier. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said there are no planned meetings with US officials in Qatar.

US President Donald Trump said the US will meet with Iran in Doha on Tuesday.

“IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!” he posted on Truth Social early Monday.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s chief negotiator, had previously told reporters that no technical working group meetings have been scheduled for this week.

A senior US official, meanwhile, told CNN yesterday that technical talks regarding the memorandum of understanding were “on track” as planned despite a recent exchange of fire.

Iran's deputy foreign minister said no meetings between Iranian and US technical teams are scheduled for this week as part of implementing the memorandum of understanding.

The official said consultations with Qatar will continue regarding the other party's implementation of its commitments under the memorandum.

He added that the next round of technical talks will be held once the necessary conditions have been prepared and a date and venue have been agreed upon.

The remarks come after reports suggested that Iranian and US technical teams could meet in Doha in the coming days.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has become the backdrop for an unprecedented overlap between global sport and international conflict, as the United States hosts the tournament while carrying out military strikes against Iran, one of the competition's participating nations.

The US military launched a series of strikes targeting Iranian sites in June 2026, during the World Cup's group stage, placing one of the tournament's host nations in direct military confrontation with a team competing in the event.

The timing drew widespread attention after Iran played its decisive final group-stage match shortly after the strikes, ultimately failing to advance to the Round of 32.

The rare convergence of a major international sporting event and an active military conflict involving a host nation has sparked debate among political observers and sports commentators over the relationship between global diplomacy, armed conflict, and international competition.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Qatar will release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets, even as negotiations with the United States face renewed pressure following a weekend of military escalation.

Pezeshkian's remarks mark the highest-level public confirmation from Tehran that part of the funds held in Qatar will be returned to Iran. US officials, however, have maintained that no frozen Iranian assets have been released.

According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, Pezeshkian said preparations were underway to transfer half of the estimated $12 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar.

"Based on the plans made, $6 billion out of the total $12 billion of Iranian resources in Qatar will be released and returned to the country, and necessary follow-ups are being carried out," Pezeshkian said.

Qatar has played a central mediating role in indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

The 'Israeli' military says its air force carried out overnight strikes on three Hezbollah command centers in the Nabatieh and Mayfadoun areas of southern Lebanon. The military said the operation was launched in response to continued attacks on its forces operating in the security zone. Separately, it said troops destroyed a Hezbollah rocket launcher during operations in southern Lebanon.

The 'Israeli' military said it killed a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in an airstrike on northern Gaza on Sunday.

In a statement, the military identified the victim as Zaher Barham Khalil Abu Salem, alleging that he took part in the October 2023 attack on 'Israel' and in the abduction of Israeli civilians from their homes, where they were later held captive.