EU’s Kallas says ready to help next phase after US-Iran deal

European Council President Antonio Costa welcomed on Monday the agreement announced between Washington and Tehran.

“I look forward to an end to this costly war and to the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote in a post on X.

He said the European Union was ready to help advance a broader strategy for lasting peace across the Middle East.

An Iranian lawmaker said on Monday that the country was fully prepared for any threat and the armed forces were working around the clock to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, urged national unity, saying, “the enemy has planned to create divisions and rifts inside the country.”

He said national cohesion, alongside military power, were needed to safeguard security.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed on Monday the understanding reached between the United States and Iran, saying it reflected sustained diplomacy and the choice of dialogue over confrontation.

He said in apost on X that the breakthrough would provide confidence and stability to global markets and the world economy, especially for developing countries vulnerable to regional instability.

Dar said Pakistan looked forward to a formal signing ceremony on June 19 in Geneva.

Senior Israeli officials said Israel may have to confront US pressure if Washington demands Israeli withdrawals or limits on military operations in Lebanon following an agreement with Iran, Ynet reported on Monday.

“Right now, the prime minister is standing firm and succeeding in pushing back such Iranian demands,” one senior official was quoted as saying.

The official said the Americans understood that Israel viewed the issue as a red line.

The view inside Israel’s Security Cabinet was that Israel would “stand firm” on Lebanon, even at the cost of a dispute with Washington, according to the report.

Foundation for Defense of Democracies chief executive Mark Dubowitz said on Monday that judgment on the Iran ceasefire deal should wait until its terms are known and tested over the next 30 days.

He said some critics had declared failure on the first day of the war, while others were declaring victory before seeing the agreement.

“The rest of us can acknowledge the extraordinary military achievements while reserving judgment until we see the deal itself—and what happens over next 30 days,” he wrote in a post on X.