Today's (06/18/26) top stories. This MOU is certainly a beginning that's far from an ending. It's sort of like building a barbed wire fence to control an approaching hurricane.
"▸ Donald Trump signed the memorandum of understanding to end America’s war with Iran. Terms include an end to fighting in Lebanon, the creation of a $300bn fund for Iran’s “reconstruction and economic development” and a ban on its having nuclear weapons. Iran is required to allow ships toll-free transit of the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days while the parties negotiate a final deal.
▸ Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s prime minister, confirmed that Iran also signed the preliminary deal. America’s president signed the document after dining with G7 leaders in Versailles—a place with a less-than-glorious history of delivering long-lasting peace treaties. He threatened to “bomb the hell” out of Iran if it violated the agreement. However, the president claimed American allies “love” the deal.
▸ Also at the summit, Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, said he noticed a “very deep change” in America’s approach to Ukraine. Mr Macron said the entire G7 now recognised “the territorial integrity” of the country. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, said he had an “important co-ordinating conversation” with both Mr Trump and Mr Macron at the close of the summit."