Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to renew a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon after a 24-hour flare-up of violence that killed at least 47 people in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley, and four Israeli soldiers. The clashes posed an early challenge to the new agreement between the US and Iran to end their conflict.
US-Iran Talks in Switzerland Canceled
A meeting scheduled for Friday in Switzerland between the US and Iran to discuss implementation of a peace plan was canceled due to the renewed violence. The White House announced that Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the peace negotiations for the US, would not fly to Switzerland as planned. His staff were already at an airbase ready to depart when the trip was suddenly called off.
The talks were due to begin two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding about Iran's nuclear programme and reopening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Defends Iran Deal Amid Criticism
President Donald Trump defended the deal with Iran against criticism from Republican allies in Congress who argue he has conceded too much. In social media posts on Friday, Trump wrote: "The War has diminished Iran! We didn't meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We'll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!"
New Air Force One Unveiled
Trump unveiled the new temporary Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The jet, a converted Qatari 747 designated VC-25B, was gifted by Qatar. The $400 million jet has sparked political protest because it exceeds the $50 limit on unsolicited gifts from a single source in a calendar year.
Bill Pulte Becomes Acting DNI
Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director, became the acting director of national intelligence on Friday. This followed a tug-of-war between Trump and Washington lawmakers over the short-term future of the cabinet intelligence post. Tulsi Gabbard, the outgoing DNI, initially planned to leave on 30 June but Trump shortened her tenure to Friday.
Obama Says US 'Worse Off' After Iran War
Former President Barack Obama said that after 15 weeks of war with Iran, the US is now "worse off" than before the conflict started in February. In an interview with NBC News aired Friday, Obama stated: "We've now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we're back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse off."
Other Developments
The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into Major League Baseball after the league criticized three San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their hats during the team's Pride Night. Trump enthusiastically agreed with a comparison to historical figures like Hitler, Stalin, and Mao, saying "Sounds good to me!" after a golfing acquaintance suggested Trump is more powerful. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Trump "totally invented" a story about her begging for a photo at the G7 summit. A federal judge rejected Joe Biden's attempt to block release of recordings made with a ghostwriter. The town of Social Circle, Georgia, announced cancellation of plans for a large immigration detention center.
