Iran Calls Middle East War Deal a Declaration of US Defeat

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

Iran hailed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, brokered by Pakistan, as a mark of American defeat and asserted that regional security should be governed by Middle Eastern countries themselves. Ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations will continue next week, focusing on issues including maritime fees in the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon ceasefire efforts, and nuclear inspections, but key disputes remain unresolved.

Iran characterized the recent agreement aimed at ending conflict in the Middle East as a symbol of "America’s defeat," following mediation efforts led by Pakistan. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator, described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a product of Iranian resistance and authority rather than external pressure. He emphasized that regional security should be managed by Middle Eastern countries themselves.

A key point in ongoing negotiations involves Iran’s announcement of plans to impose maritime service fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has strongly opposed this move, treating it as akin to tolls. However, on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform that Iran had assured Washington it would not levy any tolls, insurance costs, or other charges on ships navigating the strait. Trump did not clarify whether this commitment would continue beyond the 60-day negotiation window intended to reach a lasting agreement.

Ghalibaf stressed a vision of the region’s future based on cooperation rather than confrontation, advocating coexistence over elimination. He further highlighted the importance of peace in Lebanon as a critical element of the broader settlement with the United States. The conflict in Lebanon was intensified when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, drawing Lebanon into the wider war. For Iran, ending hostilities and establishing a ceasefire in Lebanon is as vital as in Iran itself, according to Ghalibaf.

Meanwhile, residents in southern Lebanon’s Tyre are beginning the slow process of recovery from intensive Israeli airstrikes. Local business owner Hussein Hassan expressed determination to rebuild, symbolizing a wider resilience among the population despite significant damage. On the ground, Israeli forces remain in parts of Lebanon following a recent invasion. The Israeli military reported conducting airstrikes targeting Hezbollah operatives near the border on Wednesday, citing threats to its troops.

Technical discussions between the United States and Iran are set to resume next week, though no specific date has been confirmed by Pakistani mediators. A central issue remains Iran’s nuclear program, which Western powers have long suspected is aimed at developing nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies. Rafael Grossi, director of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, confirmed that inspections of Iranian nuclear sites will proceed. However, Iran’s lead negotiator overseeing technical talks indicated that no consensus has yet been reached regarding the scope or terms of these inspections.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.