Iran's chief negotiator: tentative peace deal marks U.S. defeat

Updated: June 25, 2026 06:01 am IST

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a visit to a Mack Trucks assembly plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania, on June 23, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters

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Iran Says Deal to End West Asia War Is 'Declaration of U.S. Defeat'

The agreement between Iran and the United States to end the West Asia war represents "America's declaration of defeat," said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, head of the Iranian negotiating team, on Wednesday (June 24, 2026).

"The Islamabad understanding was not the result of pressure and coercion, but rather the result of the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian nation," Mr. Ghalibaf stated at a conference in Azerbaijan, broadcast on Iranian television.

Also read: Trump administration touts deal with Iran as payday for U.S. farmers; Tehran denies it

Key Developments

Israel-Lebanon Talks on Southern Territory Transfer

Talks between Israel and Lebanon include discussion of a U.S.-backed proposal for Israeli forces to hand over some territory invaded during the war with Hezbollah to the Lebanese military, according to Israeli and Lebanese officials. The proposed "pilot" project is being discussed in the latest round of negotiations.

IAEA to Inspect Iranian Nuclear Sites

Iranian nuclear enrichment sites will be visited by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the UN nuclear agency, speaking in Tokyo on Wednesday (June 24, 2026). This statement follows disputes between Iran and the U.S. over whether bombed enrichment sites would be inspected—a key provision of the deal, which calls for Iran's uranium stockpile to be "downblended" from highly enriched levels.

Live Updates

June 25, 2026 — 04:24 | Trump Casts Doubt on U.S. Involvement in Deadly Iranian School Strike

President Donald Trump on Wednesday questioned whether the United States was responsible for a missile strike on an Iranian school, saying "missiles were flying all over the place" on the first day of the Middle East war. The attack killed 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and another adult in the southern city of Minab on February 28, according to Iranian state media.

"It's horrible what happened, but there were missiles flying all over the place, and somebody said it was our missile, well, maybe it wasn't our missile. But I've seen nothing to lead me to believe it was," Trump told reporters at the White House. — AFP

June 25, 2026 — 01:04 | U.S. Promises to Protect Gulf States' Interests in Iran Talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to U.S. Gulf allies that Washington would protect their interests as it seeks to finalize a settlement of the Middle East war in talks with Iran. Rubio was on a regional tour to reassure Gulf states, which were targeted by Tehran's missiles and drones during the conflict and saw their oil and gas shipments cut off by an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has emerged emboldened from the war, vowing not to relinquish control of the vital waterway and calling its initial deal with Washington "a declaration of America's defeat." During a visit to Kuwait City, Rubio said Washington would remain aligned with Gulf states as it negotiates a permanent settlement with Iran. — AFP

June 24, 2026 — 19:03 | Iranian Diplomat Says Nuclear Site Inspections Would Come Only After Final Deal

An Iranian diplomat rejected comments made Wednesday by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stating that nuclear site inspections would only be possible after a final U.S.-Iran deal is reached.

Iran Has Told U.S. No Tolls Being Sought at Strait of Hormuz, Says Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has informed the United States it is not seeking to impose tolls at the Strait of Hormuz.

Follow live updates on the West Asia war situation as developments continue.