US-Iran deal reshapes Middle East, boosts Tehran, alarms regional rivals

Israeli Ambassador to US Yechiel Leiter reported what he described as repeated Hezbollah ceasefire violations over recent days, citing incidents involving rockets, explosive drones and improvised explosive devices.

In a post on X on Thursday, Leiter listed a series of attacks on June 17 and June 18, including multiple rocket launches and UAV strikes, as well as an improvised explosive device incident, saying they amounted to breaches of the ceasefire understanding on Israel’s northern front.

Suzanne Maloney, Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, said on Thursday that the $300 billion linked to the US-Iran agreement would come from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, adding that sanctions waivers would be granted if they help ensure regional stability.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said on Thursday the US–Iran memorandum of understanding reflects strong US-Israel cooperation and shared security concerns, emphasizing efforts aimed at preventing Iran from shaping the region’s future.

Leiter described the agreement as part of a "broader alignment between Washington and Jerusalem" on regional security priorities, underscoring continued coordination on Iran-related policy.

Speaker of Iran’s parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Thursday Iran would strictly follow the guidance of Supreme Leader in monitoring implementation of the US-Iran agreement, while warning of a forceful response in case of violations.

"We are at your command; the task assigned to us by the Supreme Leader is to pursue the realization of the conditions and clauses of the agreement. In the event of bad faith, breach of contract, and excessive demands by the opposing side, we have no hesitation in delivering a crushing response to the enemy. They were once slapped during the war; if they wish to tread that path again, they will receive an even harder slap," he posted on X.

Senator Deb Fischer on Thursday praised President Donald Trump for what she called decisive action aimed at eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, while urging the administration not to lose focus on that goal.

"I commend President Trump for taking decisive action with the goal of eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. After much progress, I’m urging the administration to not lose sight of that objective. The president has put us in a position of strength. We cannot afford to squander it," she posted on X.

"I want more details from the administration on how the final deal will put America first, limit the regime’s ballistic missiles, and verifiably ensure Iran turns over its highly enriched uranium," Senator Fischer added.