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Monday, June 22, 2026

Iran Agrees To 'Telephone Hotline' For Hormuz, Says Strait Will ‘Never Return’ To Pre-War State

Iran has agreed to establish a dedicated "telephone hotline" in the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate communication with the United States and other countries, marking a significant development in the management of one of the world's most critical maritime corridors. Speaking to Iranian state media while returning from negotiations in Switzerland on Monday, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran and Washington had reached an understanding to create new coordination mechanisms aimed at avoiding incidents and addressing concerns involving vessels navigating the strategic waterway. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/txEMw3OXM8g?si=T4sKLfqmSCduR1iV" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3>Hotline To Address Maritime Concerns</h3> According to Ghalibaf, the two sides agreed to set up "a telephone hotline and a centre so that if any ambiguity or issue arises, ships can contact that centre." The Iranian negotiator said the initiative is designed to help "prevent and resolve any misunderstandings" and ensure smooth maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of the world's oil shipments passes. He stressed that the waterway would now be "managed under Iranian arrangements" and declared that it would "never return to what it was before the war." Ghalibaf said Iran would continue to uphold international maritime regulations while responding rapidly to any emerging incidents. "Naturally, just as problems may arise in Lebanon or elsewhere, problems can also arise in the Strait of Hormuz," he said, adding, "As you've seen, on some nights there have even been clashes." Describing the purpose of the hotline, he said it was intended to ensure "the highest level of safety and traffic flow." Explaining its operation, Ghalibaf added: "If Americans have any objection to anything, or if any vessels or ships need clarity on any route or anything … they [can] call." He also claimed that negotiations had concluded arrangements related to Iran's access to $12 billion in frozen funds and addressed matters concerning the easing of oil sanctions. <h3>Progress Reported In Switzerland Talks</h3> The comments came after the latest round of US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland, where officials said discussions continued for around 80 minutes. According to Iranian officials, the talks focused on sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and the implementation of commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The meeting marked the first round of quadrilateral discussions held under the framework of the memorandum and was aimed at advancing a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran. <h3>Vance Signals Optimism</h3> US Vice-President JD Vance struck an optimistic tone following the talks, describing Sunday as a "very, very good day" and saying negotiators had made "a lot of good progress." On Monday, Vance said Iran would permit nuclear inspectors to return to the country after what he again described as a "very, very good" opening day of negotiations. He said the outcome had created a "good foundation" for a potential final agreement. Separately, the United States confirmed a temporary suspension of sanctions on Iran's oil sector, allowing the country to produce, market and transport crude oil and related products until August 21. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the temporary sanctions relief was linked to Tehran's commitment to maintaining "free and open transit" through the Strait of Hormuz and its agreement to permit inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-agrees-to-telephone-hotline-for-hormuz-says-strait-will-never-return-to-pre-war-state-1851992

US Grants 60-Day Waiver For Iranian Oil Sales Following Progress In Talks

The United States on Monday authorised limited Iranian oil sales, marking a significant easing of long-standing sanctions as Washington seeks to advance negotiations with Tehran towards a comprehensive peace agreement. The US Treasury Department issued a general licence permitting the production, delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil, as well as petrochemical and petroleum products, until August 21. The licence also allows Iranian oil to enter the United States when necessary to facilitate its sale, delivery or offloading. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move was linked to progress in ongoing negotiations in Switzerland. According to Bessent, Iran has committed to ensuring free and open transit through the Strait of Hormuz and to allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the country. <h2 class="isSelectedEnd">Temporary 60-Day License Established</h2> The temporary 60-day licence forms part of a broader framework established under a memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran last week. Under the arrangement, the United States agreed to grant waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and related services, including banking, insurance and transportation. The licence also permits payments to Iran in US dollar-denominated funds. However, entities linked to Cuba, North Korea and Crimea remain excluded from the authorisation. The move represents a notable shift in US policy towards Iran. Washington first imposed sanctions on Tehran following the 1979 hostage crisis and later expanded restrictions over concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme and its support for groups designated by the US as terrorist organisations. Before the reimposition of sanctions in 2018, countries such as India, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Greece and Taiwan were among the major importers of Iranian crude. In recent years, independent Chinese refiners have remained the primary buyers of Iranian oil, benefiting from discounted prices. The announcement came as mediators reported "encouraging progress" during the first round of US-Iran talks aimed at securing a permanent peace agreement. The negotiations are taking place under the terms of last week's memorandum, which extended a fragile ceasefire for at least 60 days. <h2 class="isSelectedEnd">Dollar Climbed As US-Iran Talks Laid 'Good Foundation'</h2> Global oil markets have closely monitored developments. Oil prices surged earlier when Iran moved to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a US response targeting Iranian ports. Following the interim agreement, however, prices retreated to their lowest levels since before the conflict began in late February. The dollar climbed on Monday as the first round of US-Iran talks buoyed optimism for a peace deal. US Vice President JD Vance said talks &zwnj;with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid a "good foundation" for a final peace deal, despite tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon. U.S. crude fell 2.61% to $74.60 a barrel and Brent fell to $77.98 per barrel, down 3.21% on the day.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-grants-60-day-waiver-for-iranian-oil-sales-following-progress-in-talks-1851964

Sunday, June 21, 2026

US-Iran Talks Paused, Not Ended After Negotiations Turn Tense Over Trump Threats, Hormuz Closure

Negotiations between the United States and Iran have been temporarily paused after talks in Switzerland became increasingly strained over President Donald Trump's latest warnings to Tehran and disputes surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the setback, diplomatic engagement has not collapsed, with both sides continuing to communicate through unofficial channels in an effort to keep the negotiation process alive, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions. <h3>Talks Suspended, Backchannel Contacts Continue</h3> The report said that formal discussions have stalled for now but remain recoverable and that efforts are underway behind the scenes to encourage Washington and Tehran to resume direct negotiations. According to the report, the atmosphere around the talks deteriorated following comments made by Trump on Sunday while the negotiations were ongoing, adding to tensions already surrounding the status of the Strait of Hormuz. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iLcF-XYPWQs?si=KgP90T2rnmhGwfcv" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3>First Session Ends After 80 Minutes</h3> The latest round of technical discussions was held under the framework of the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed between the United States and Iran. Iran's Fars news agency reported that the opening session lasted around 80 minutes before being suspended to allow both delegations to conduct "internal consultations." ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/indian-and-a-pakistani-jd-vance-s-remark-on-usha-vance-asim-munir-goes-viral-1851732">'One Indian, One Pakistani': JD Vance's Remark On Usha Vance, Asim Munir Goes Viral</a> US Vice President JD Vance met senior Iranian officials in Switzerland on Sunday as part of efforts to find a broader resolution to the crisis in West Asia. The talks are being facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar and focus primarily on Iran's nuclear programme, regional security concerns and unresolved issues linked to the operation of the Strait of Hormuz under the interim agreement. <h3>Vance Signals Openness To New Relationship</h3> During the discussions, Vance conveyed Washington's willingness to reset ties with Tehran and said the Trump administration was prepared to pursue a different path if progress could be achieved through diplomacy. According to reports, he communicated Trump's message encouraging both sides to turn "a new leaf" in bilateral relations. The negotiations are viewed as a critical test of the fragile agreement reached earlier this month following months of military confrontation in the region. <h3>Trump's Warning Draws Sharp Iranian Response</h3> As negotiations continued, Trump issued a warning to Iran over the activities of groups aligned with Tehran in Lebanon. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don't, we'll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!" The remarks triggered a strong response from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is leading Tehran's negotiating team. In a post on X, Ghalibaf dismissed the warning as evidence of American weakness and insisted Iran would not alter its position under pressure. "Don't they think to themselves that if their threats had any effect, they wouldn't have reached the point of despair today? We don't count on the threats of the Americans. They better be careful with their statements, our armed forces are ready to respond in another way. Whatever they say, we are the ones who will act," he wrote. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/starmer-under-pressure-uk-minister-admits-challenges-to-pm-s-leadership-1851742">Starmer Under Pressure? UK Minister Admits Challenges To PM's Leadership</a> <h3>Strait Of Hormuz Remains Key Sticking Point</h3> Beyond the exchange of threats, the operational status of the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations. The strategic waterway, through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes, is a central element of the interim agreement and remains closely tied to broader discussions on regional security and de-escalation. While the formal talks have been put on hold, mediators and officials from both sides continue efforts to bridge differences and bring the delegations back to the negotiating table.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-talks-paused-not-ended-after-negotiations-turn-tense-over-trump-threats-hormuz-closure-1851752

36-Year-Old Charged Over Edinburgh Attack Spree Being Probed By Counterterror Police

Edited by: Louis Oelofse Scottish police on Sunday said they had charged a 36-year-old man in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh on Friday. "A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of incidents which took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June, 2026," the Scottish police statement read. "A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal, and the individual will appear at court in due course.” On Saturday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the attacks appeared to be motivated by "anti-Muslim hatred." <h2>Starmer Condemns 'Appalling' Edinburgh Attacks</h2> Britain's prime minister condemned the attacks. "Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets," Starmer said in a post on X. "The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law." Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, also condemned the attacks. "I am deeply concerned by these incidents," he said in an X post. "There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country. I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the Government.” <h2>What Were The Friday Attacks In Edinburgh?</h2> On Friday, police said that they had responded to reports of "violent attacks including threats, robbery and vandalism" across the city and that counterterrorism police had launched a probe into the incidents Police closed off the major Leith Walk road that connects the city center to the Leith coastal suburb. British media reported the attacks appeared to have begun near a mosque in western Edinburgh and continued through other parts of the city. Footage on social media appeared to show a shirtless man walking along the street carrying a weapon, and with another video showing him being restrained by police and shouting about "protecting the country." Some five people were injured in the attacks, including three that required hospital treatment. The incidents come amid a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-migrant sentiment in Britain, including riots in the Northern Irish capital of Belfast and in other cities. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/36-year-old-charged-over-edinburgh-attack-spree-being-probed-by-counterterror-police-1851744

Starmer Under Pressure? UK Minister Admits Challenges To PM's Leadership

Edited by: Louis Oelofse British Business Minister Peter Kyle on Sunday said that Keir Starmer was reflecting on the "political realities" after a potential rival for the prime minister's post, Andy Burnham, won a by-election and a seat in the House of Commons on Thursday. Sitting in parliament would enable Burnham in theory to be prime minister or to trigger a hostile contest for the leadership of the Labour Party, and by extension the top political job in the UK. Starmer has faced increasing pressure as his and Labour's popularity has waned since his 2024 election win, particularly since a poor showing in local and regional elections for Labour last month. <h2>What Did Kyle Say About Starmer In His Sunday Media Rounds?</h2> Kyle told both Sky and the BBC in separate interviews on Sunday that he had no reason to believe Starmer was planning to announce his resignation on Monday — as left-leaning weekly newspaper The Observer had reported. "Today, as in very other day I've ever known Keir, he is out there working hard," Kyle told Sky News. "At the same time, he is also trying to create the space where he can think and reflect on the political realities and challenges — and the opportunities — that are before us." He did not repeat the line emanating from Downing Street late last week that Starmer would contest any leadership challenge, should one emerge. In a later BBC interview, the minister acknowledged that at least some forces within his party were maneuvering against Starmer. "I don't want to come on here and be delusional that there is no process, there are no forces at work which are challenging the prime minister as leader. That is clearly the case," he said. <h2>Why Has The Focus On Starmer's Position Flared Up Again Now?</h2> Labour's Andy Burnham winning Thursday's Makerfield by-election with a fairly comfortable margin — and delivering a rare bit of good news for the party in recent months — revived the speculation that was rampant immediately after May's election defeats in Scotland, Wales and on English local councils. Kyle was facing pointed questions on TV on Sunday because of a report in the left-leaning Observer newspaper, released late on Saturday, claiming the prime minister was considering his future and could make an announcement as soon as Monday. The paper reported, without naming sources it called senior Labour figures, that Starmer was discussing his future with his wife during a weekend at his official Chequers country residence before making a decision. <h2>Who Is Andy Burnham And What Are His Intentions?</h2> Burham is not the only potential challenger to Starmer, but many see the 56-year-old former Manchester mayor as the least divisive potential candidate who would also have realistic chances of dethroning him. Former Health Minister Wes Streeting quit and appeared to seek to trigger a coup last month, but he seemed to be struggling to secure support or demonstrate any meaningful public profile. Former deputy party leader Angela Rayner is popular with the party base and probably better known, but she is haunted by recent scandals pertaining to property tax, is seen by some as too left-leaning for the top job, and also never went so far as to fully break ranks with Starmer's leadership. Burnham himself, meanwhile, has not disavowed his prime ministerial ambitions, but has also not taken any obvious steps towards triggering a leadership challenge himself. Based on the on- and off-the-record comments from his allies, he appears to be trying to encourage Starmer to resign of his own volition and trigger a leadership change without the potential inner-party bloodletting that would come with a hostile leadership contest. Burnham's victory speech in Makerfield in northern England, holding a constituency that is typically one of the safest in the entire country for Labour, certainly seemed to contain lines directed at Starmer. "Everyone knows that politics isn't working," he said. "Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point," he said. Charlie Falconer, a senior Labour member of the House of Lords, told the BBC on Saturday that in his view there "should be an agreed transition process in which Andy and Keir cooperate as to when the handover should take place." Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/starmer-under-pressure-uk-minister-admits-challenges-to-pm-s-leadership-1851742

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Delaware governor issues proclamation on International Day of Yoga

Washington, Jun 21 (PTI): Delaware Governor Matthew Meyer has issued a proclamation in recognition of the International Day of Yoga in the state and urged residents to explore the practice for a healthier lifestyle.In a proclamation, Meyer said yoga is a 5,000-year-old ancient practice from India that integrates the mind, body, and spirit to enhance overall health and well-being.He said the practice of yoga fosters physical strength, flexibility, mental clarity, and emotional balance, offering valuable tools for managing stress and improving community health.“Now, Therefore, I, Matthew Meyer, Governor, do hereby proclaim June 21, 2026, as INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA in the State of Delaware, and encourage all residents to explore this practice for a healthier lifestyle,” the proclamation read.Meyer noted that the United Nations officially designated June 21st as International Day of Yoga to raise global awareness of the many benefits of practising yoga.He noted that the Indian American Community Delaware, in association with the Consulate General of India-New York, is organising local celebrations to bring citizens together, encouraging wellness, peace and unity through health-conscious living.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's yoga guru, H R Nagendra, is leading the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the iconic Times Square in New York on Sunday, organised by the Consulate General of India.Recognising its universal appeal, the United Nations in December 2014 proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.The draft UNGA resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.The proposal was first introduced by Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: "Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition." The International Day of Yoga has been observed on June 21 every year since 2015. PTI SKU ARI ARI(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/delaware-governor-issues-proclamation-on-international-day-of-yoga-1851601

Ukraine Returns Polish Honours As Diplomatic Row Escalates

Edited by: Louis Oelofse Top Ukrainian officials said on Saturday that they were returning Polish state honors after Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland's highest award. The move could further strain ties between the two close strategic partners as Kyiv seeks to rally international support to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine. "This is a gift to the Moscow aggressor, who will certainly use it against both of our countries," Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, wrote on social media, saying that he was returning the Gold Officer's Cross of the Polish Order of Merit. On Friday, Nawrocki announced that Zelenskyy would be stripped of the Order of the White Eagle — Poland's highest state honor, which had been awarded by former President Andrzej Duda in 2023. The decision followed Zelenskyy's move to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a World War II militia that Warsaw accuses of participating in massacres of Poles. Poland has been one of Ukraine's key allies since Russia's full-scale invasion, hosting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Nawrocki said the move would not affect Poland's support for Ukraine's defense against Russia. <h2>Ukrainian officials renounce Polish honors in protest</h2> Ukrainian officials, however, argued that Nawrocki's decision was beneficial to Russia. Ukraine's ambassador to Warsaw, Vasyl Bodnar, described the move "as a gesture towards all the Ukrainian people" and announced that he was relinquishing his Knight's Cross of the Polish Order of Merit. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga also said that he would return a Polish award he received in 2022, calling the decision "a strategic mistake … that benefits only Moscow." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a political rival of Nawrocki, urged both countries to preserve their solidarity, warning that a dispute between Poland and Ukraine "delights Putin and shocks our allies." <h2>Russian strike on Kharkiv kills 1</h2> Meanwhile, a Russian airstrike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed at least one person and injured nine others on Saturday, according to Governor Oleh Synyehubov. Russia's Defense Ministry said on Saturday morning that its air-defense systems had intercepted and destroyed 187 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight. In recent weeks, Moscow and Kyiv have intensified attacks on each other as US-led efforts to end the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, remain stalled.Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the "star" or "preferred" button, so you'll always see our verified news first. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/ukraine-s-top-officials-return-polish-awards-as-row-deepens-1851597