Reactions and statements from the international community
Israeli forces conducted extensive attacks in southern Lebanon last night, targeting areas around Nabatieh, Kafr Tibnit, and other locations with artillery shelling and air strikes, in response to threats from the IRGC and its proxy forces.
On June 27, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the country will facilitate the return of 30 Iranian citizens to Iran, including the 22 crew members of the seized "Davina" oil tanker and eight rescued Iranian fishermen. Both groups are expected to return to Iran via Karachi in the coming days.
Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz and dismantled its nuclear program, while the U.S. has lifted its naval blockade and provided phased sanctions relief contingent on Iran's performance in halting proxy funding, disarming its long-range missile program, and improving human rights.
President Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran, details of which have not been released, raising concerns among allies and critics. Subsequent statements and actions by the administration, including criticism of Israel and announcements about Qatar's investment, have further fueled uncertainty and questions about the agreement's implications for regional stability.
Since early May 2025, the U.S. military has been secretly escorting ship-to-ship oil transfers off the coasts of the UAE and Oman, involving at least 92 ships, drones, and helicopters to ensure Gulf exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters identified the transfer points off Fujairah and Sohar using shipping data, satellite imagery, and sources familiar with the operation.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) view the US-Iran nuclear agreement as a "historic opportunity" to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a communiqué issued on June 17. The G7 leaders, who met in Évian, France, expressed support for the agreement and emphasized the need for continued negotiations to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear capabilities.
Iran has fired several drones toward commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz since the signing of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU), according to reports by NBC News and The Jerusalem Post.
NBC News, citing an American official, reported that since the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, the IRGC has launched several drones nightly toward commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which U.S. forces have intercepted. The U.S. military continues to coordinate with commercial shipping companies to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
NBC Network reports, citing a US official, that the Islamic Republic's IRGC continues to launch numerous drones toward commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz every night since the signing of a memorandum with the United States on Sunday. US forces have intercepted these drones to prevent threats to commercial and military vessels and personnel in the area.
The United States and Iran have reached an agreement worth $300 billion, lifting all sanctions and unfreezing frozen assets. Under the agreement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will now charge for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with no mention of restrictions on Iran's ballistic missiles or proxy groups, and the nuclear deal is based solely on Iran's assurances.
A provision passed by Congress in 2024 blocks the removal of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from the Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) list for four years, complicating the Iran MOU. This law was enacted after the Trump administration determined the IRGC's involvement in drone attacks on Americans.
Saeed Ajraloo, a member of the Islamic Republic's negotiating media team, stated that after Friday it will be easier to discuss the memorandum of understanding with the United States, asserting that the final text regarding the Strait of Hormuz is better than the initial proposals from both sides.
