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EU chief calls for restored navigation through Strait of Hormuz

Jun 16, 2026, 13:27 GMT+1

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that discussions during a session on the Middle East with regional partners focused on restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and Lebanon.

"First, we need to ensure the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, without restrictions," von der Leyen said on X, outlining the topics discussed during the session.

"The events in the Strait have highlighted vulnerabilities that we need to address. We should work together to alternative supply routes and new corridors, such as the IMEC. With better connectivity, we can transform vulnerabilities into opportunities," she added.

Von der Leyen said participants also discussed Lebanon.

"A stable and peaceful Middle East requires a stable and peaceful Lebanon," she said.

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Iran executes two January protesters as post-war crackdown continues

Jun 16, 2026, 12:57 GMT+1
Iran executes two January protesters as post-war crackdown continues
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The Islamic Republic executed Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi, two men arrested during the January protests in Shahrud, early Tuesday, the judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency reported.

Mizan described the two men as “enemy foot soldiers” and “armed leaders of the January coup” in Shahrud, saying protesters had created what it called the pretext and conditions for hostile action by Iran’s enemies.

Mohammad-Sadegh Akbari, the head of the judiciary in Semnan province, accused Zamani and Saedi of taking part in unrest, damaging bank branches, creating disorder outside the governor’s office, overturning and burning a police vehicle, and attacking homes and cars.

  • Iran executes another political prisoner, bringing tally to 37 since March

    Iran executes another political prisoner, bringing tally to 37 since March

Mizan said the charges against them also included inciting people to attend protests, assembly and collusion against domestic and foreign security, moharebeh, or “waging war against God,” and “corruption on earth.”

Officials and state media in Iran have repeatedly sought to discredit anti-government protests by labeling them “riots,” “unrest” or a “coup” and linking them to foreign actors, including the United States and Israel.

Mizan also published a 50-second video it described as the men’s confessions, with their faces blurred.

Rights groups and former detainees have repeatedly reported the use of forced confessions under pressure, torture and harsh detention conditions in the Islamic Republic’s prisons.

Iran has sharply increased executions in recent months, including political prisoners accused of taking part in the January protests or facing espionage-related charges.

In early June, the Islamic Republic executed Mehrdad Mohammadinia and Ashkan Maleki, two January protesters, over allegations that they set fire to a mosque in Tehran.

Iran judiciary chief urges faster reviews, raising concern over executions

Jun 16, 2026, 11:55 GMT+1

Iran’s judiciary chief called on Tuesday for faster handling of requests for judicial review under Article 477 at the Supreme Court, a step that could shorten temporary pauses in the enforcement in political and security cases, including death sentences.

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei also commented on US-Iran talks, saying Iranian negotiators would not retreat from the rights of what he called the resistance axis in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and elsewhere, or from seeking revenge for those killed, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

He said if the enemy broke its commitments in the Tehran-Washington understanding, Iran would continue its “confrontation and jihad” in the field.

Trump says at least 42,000 protesters were killed in Iran

Jun 16, 2026, 11:41 GMT+1

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that at least 42,000 protesters had been killed in Iran, while saying he did not support regime change.

“At least 42,000 protesters were killed in Iran, killed, because they were protesting,” Trump said, speaking during a meeting with the Emir of Qatar. “I do not believe in regime change. I have watched regime changes for years, and they never work.”

He added that the United States was dealing with Iranian officials who he described as “very rational people.”

“The first group, they are all dead; the second group they're dead; a part of the third group is gone and we are dealing with people who, I think, are very rational people,” he said.

Trump says Iran deal makes nuclear weapon ban ‘loud and clear’

Jun 16, 2026, 11:15 GMT+1

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the Iran deal specified Tehran would never have a nuclear weapon, telling reporters at the G7 summit in France that the point was “loud and clear.”

“The only thing that really matters to me is Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and it says it loud and clear,” Trump said.

“All hell will rain down” on Iran if its government sought to acquire a nuclear weapon, he added.

Trump says US will not invest money in Iran under deal

Jun 16, 2026, 10:47 GMT+1
Trump says US will not invest money in Iran under deal
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US President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the sidelines of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the Iran deal was done and would move to a second stage, which he said would be “easier,” while speaking to reporters during a meeting with the Emir of Qatar in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Trump said the United States would not invest any money in Iran as part of the deal.

"We are not investing any money in Iran, by the way. We've rumor got out there yesterday. It was ridiculous. We have the right to go in someday and do if I want to do something or somebody wants to do something. But we are not investing any money," he said.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also praised the agreement but said much work remained to be done, adding that Qatar was ready to help.