Reuters reported that three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying a total of six million barrels of crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, June 18, the largest such shipment in recent weeks. This occurred shortly after the signing of a peace agreement between the United States and the Islamic Republic.
Reza Shah II, the exiled Shah of Iran, stated in Hebrew media that 40,000 Iranians died in two days during the 2025-2026 revolution for freedom and democracy, not for a nuclear deal or to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. He emphasized the need to prioritize the will of the Iranian people in future decision-making.
Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran's IRGC Qods Force, warned the United States to avoid confrontation with Muslims, stating that the U.S. should fear Iran's influence in multiple locations beyond the strategic straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.
Boris Pistorius, Germany's Defense Minister, announced in Brussels that Berlin is deploying two naval vessels to the Red Sea to prepare for a potential military mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels, the minehunter Foulka and support ship Muehlhausen, have passed through the Suez Canal and are en route to the Red Sea.
Farzad Molazahi, a 15-year-old Baloch teenager from Saravan, was killed by direct gunfire from IRGC/Sepah Pasdaran forces near Iranmehr Hospital in Saravan on June 17, 2026. Security forces fired at him without warning, preventing his immediate transfer to a nearby hospital, leading to his death due to his injuries.
President Donald Trump of the United States signed a memorandum of understanding with the Islamic Republic of Iran, an agreement also signed by Masoud Pezeshkian according to Iranian media. Representatives from both countries are set to meet in Switzerland on Friday to discuss the agreement's implementation.
Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that he has not received any specific request for Japan's involvement in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz and noted there is no definitive evidence of mines being laid. Motegi also emphasized in talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that Japan expects the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz to be free of financial burden for Japan.
Social media users have mocked the signature style of Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the Islamic Republic regime, after a photo of his signature went viral, leading to widespread ridicule of his appearance and signature.
JD Vance dismissed details of the Iran MOU as fake and "IRGC propaganda" earlier this week, but the White House confirmed today that the deal is accurate, with President Trump signing it into effect.
Ismail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Iran's nuclear materials will not leave the country and can be diluted domestically based on an agreement. Baghaei also emphasized that the U.S. must not increase military presence or impose new sanctions in the region over the next 60 days and must remove obstacles to Iran accessing its frozen funds.