UK eases travel advice for UAE, Qatar and Kuwait after Iran-US MoU

US Vice President JD Vance criticized what he called a “weird panic” and “freakout” in Israel over the agreement between the United States and Iran.

“There is this weird panic almost in the Israeli system that I’ve picked up on where they assume that everything that is contemplated that is good for Iran will happen — but that will happen without the Iranians changing any behavior,” Vance said in an interview with the New York Times.

“That’s not how the deal is written,” he added.

Israeli officials across the political spectrum, including some allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have criticized the agreement, saying it failed to address concerns over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and would constrain Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Vance said the United States would not remove sanctions on Iran if Tehran was still funding a terrorist organization, in an apparent reference to Hezbollah.

Israel will not withdraw from a security zone in southern Lebanon as long as its security needs require it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, in his first public remarks since the text of the US-Iran agreement was published.

“We will restore security to the north,” Netanyahu said. “This requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon, and it requires that we not leave it as long as Israel’s security needs demand it.”

Netanyahu said the zone separated Hezbollah from Israeli citizens and communities.

He also said Israel’s struggle was not over after the signing of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding.

“The struggle is still not over and further challenges still lie ahead,” Netanyahu said.

“We will continue to adhere to the supreme goal that has guided us — Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” he added.

Kuwait’s foreign minister expressed hope that the memorandum would “contribute to enhancing stability in the region, ensuring the security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and addressing outstanding issues through the achievement of sustainable solutions,” Kuwait’s foreign ministry said.

He stressed the importance of “adhering to the principles of good neighborliness,” respecting the sovereignty of states and refraining from interference in internal affairs.

Araghchi emphasized the need for continued dialogue with Persian Gulf states to “enhance mutual cooperation and resolve existing ambiguities,” Iran’s foreign ministry said.

Kuwait was among the Persian Gulf nations hit by Iranian attacks after the April Iran-US ceasefire.

Donald Trump said he was very likely to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the next election, Kan News reported on Thursday citing an interview with the US president.

“I will probably support Netanyahu in the election, but we need to see who is running,” Trump was quoted as saying in the interview.

“I have a good relationship with Bibi, but he needs to be more rational. I am ready to meet with him,” he added.

At least seven vessels traversed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, CNN reported, citing Marine Traffic data.

Four cargo ships, a French-flagged LNG tanker and a Cook Islands-flagged bitumen tanker exited the strait toward the Gulf of Oman.

The Panama-flagged Starway entered the strait heading toward the Persian Gulf before turning off its AIS transponder, effectively hiding it from view, the report said.