US Senate blocks war powers resolution to end Iran war

The US Senate narrowly blocked a war powers resolution to end the Iran war.

The attempt, backed by the Democrats, received 47 votes, while the blocking of the resolution under the War Powers Act received 48 votes.

Most senators voted along party lines, except for four Republicans who voted with the Democrats, and one Democrat that voted against.

Five senators did not vote, including Republican Mitch McConnell, Democrat Michael Bennet and independent Bernie Sanders.

US President Donald Trump's Republicans hold small majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

WATCH: Lebanon situation complicates US-Iran deal, American diplomat says

Donald Trump publicly chastised Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel's continued military action in Lebanon, warning the Israeli PM would need to be "more responsible." 

US diplomat Barbara A. Leaf gives DW her assessment.

Iran-US deal: What we know so far

• The official ceremony to announce the deal will be held in Switzerland on Friday
• US Vice President JD Vance said the deal had already been signed digitally
• The deal includes a 60-day phase to agree the details of ending the war between the US and Iran
• At the heart of the discussion: Iran's nuclear project and the financial sanctions against the country
• Several reports said it includes a private fund worth some $300 billion (€258 billion) for rebuilding Iran
• The fund will be backed by Gulf countries
• According to US President Vance, Iran would only secure access to the fund should it fulfil its commitments in the agreement
• According to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the deal, it includes Lebanon
• US ally Israel said it has no intention to withdraw from the territory it occupied in southern Lebanon, citing security concerns due to the presence of Iran-backed paramilitary Hezbollah in the area
• Iran insists the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory
• Iran threatened that further Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon would lead to a retaliation
   

Iran threatens to attack Israel should Lebanon strikes continue

Iran on Tuesday threatened a response to Israel after strikes in southern Lebanon at least four people earlier in the day.  

The Iranian army's central command Khatam al-Anbiya said that if Israel does not stop carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon, "it should await a harsh response" from the Iranian military.

The Israeli military said it had "identified a suspicious vehicle" near where its soldiers were operating and carried out a strike, adding that its forces had also intercepted several rockets and carried out an air strike against a rocket launcher.

US President Donald Trump earlier on Tuesday said he was "not happy with the way Israel has handled itself with Lebanon and with Hezbollah," adding that ongoing strikes were "throwing negative light" on the US ceasefire deal with Iran. 

Lebanon was pulled into the war in March when Tehran-aligned Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel after the killing of Iran's supreme leader, prompting Israeli strikes and a ground invasion.

US-Iran agreement includes $300 million private investment fund: report

A private fund worth $300 billion (€258 billion euros) meant to trigger investment into Iran is part of the US-Iran framework agreement, with more than half this sum having already been committed, according to an exclusive report by Reuters news agency, citing a source who spoke under condition of anonymity.

The source said the fund is a vehicle for private investments into energy, logistics, manufacturing and transport, and includes financing commitments from companies based in US, the Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America and Africa. The source added the fund will not include any government money or grants and is not intended to be a reconstruction or reparations program.

According to the source, the fund is designed to give both the US and Iran economic incentives to secure a final deal to end the hostilities between the two countries.

The White House responded to Reuters questioning by saying US Vice President JD Vance had already said in a CBS interview that Iran could gain access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund, backed by Gulf countries, depending on Iran complying with the agreement, including the dismantlement of its nuclear program, eliminating the enriched uranium in its possession and accepting regular inspection and enforcement.

It is unclear if the fund mentioned by Vance is the same as the one reported on by Reuters. 

Israeli army intercepts Hezbollah rockets in southern Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it had intercepted rockets shot by Islamist militia Hezbollah into the region where its soldiers are located in southern Lebanon.

"Within a short period of time, the Israeli Air Force struck and destroyed the launcher from which the rockets had been shot," Israel's army said in an X post.

According to the IDF, the car struck by its forces earlier today was "suspicious", with Lebanese reports saying four people had been killed by Israeli strikes today.

At least 4 killed in Israeli drone strike in Lebanon: local media

At least four people were killed in an Israelidrone strike in southern Lebanon, Lebanese media reported.

The strikes come as Iran has insisted Israel withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon as part of a tentative ceasefire deal with the US. 

Iranian officials have repeatedly said that an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon's south would be a condition for the agreement to take place.

Tehran is the backer of Lebanon-based Islamist militia Hezbollah, which has been launching drones and rockets into Israel's north.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's top negotiator, said in a call with Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri that Israel must get out of the "occupied areas" in the country.

Israeli forces have set up what they call a "security buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, 

"The people of southern Lebanon must return to their homes," Qalibaf wrote on his Telegram channel.

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed a similar message earlier Tuesday, describing the situation in Lebanon as an "inseparable part of complete end to the war."

US-Iran deal to be signed at Switzerland's Burgenstock resort

Switzerland's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the US-Iran deal is set to be signed on Friday at Bürgenstock resort near the town of Lucerne, located south of Zurich. 

It "was proposed by the Pakistani and Qatari mediators, as well as by the US and Iran", Switzerland's foreign ministry said.

US Vice President JD Vance and Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf are expected to attend the formal signing.

Hezbollah links final Iran-US deal to Israeli pullout from Lebanon

Hezbollah said it had received assurances from its ally Iran that an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon would be discussed with the United States in the next phase of peace talks.

The Lebanese militant group told the Reuters news agency that there would be "no nuclear deal between Iran and the United States unless the Israelis withdraw" from Lebanon.

The comments came after Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the war on March 2 by firing rockets at Israel, in what it described as retaliation for the US-Israeli killing of Iran's supreme leader. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a military operation inside Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his troops would remain in southern Lebanon as long as needed to tackle Hezbollah.

Iran and the US had agreed on an interim deal to end the war, while outstanding issues, including the Israeli operation in Lebanon, remained unresolved.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, was "the most important" issue.

"Ending the war in Lebanon is an inseparable part of the complete end of the war."

Trump says Iran MoU clearly states Iran will not have nuclear weapons

On the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, US President Donald Trump that the current memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tehran states clearly that Iran ​will not be able to posses a ​nuclear ‌weapon.

Trump added that the full text, which has not been made public, will be shared with the media "in a couple of days."

The president added that he likes the idea of sending the Iran deal to Congress for review. Republican lawmakers have said they want Trump to disclose more information about the MoU, amid skepticism that the deal will stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon.

The current Mou is said to put off talks on Iran's nuclear program for later negotiations that are said to last 60 days. However, Trump said he was confident subsequent talks with Tehran would "go pretty quickly."

Iranian oil tankers reportedly resume shipping

Iranian state television reported oil tankers and other ships had resumed sailing after a preliminary deal to end the war, suggesting the US naval blockade was easing.

"Three Iranian oil tankers are currently sailing in the northern Indian Ocean, and two others carrying essential goods and livestock feed are en route toward southern ports," a state television reporter said, reporting from the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell nearly 3% to fresh three-month lows on Tuesday, as markets weighed the prospect of supplies resuming through the Strait of Hormuz and weaker physical demand.

Brent crude was down $2.48 to $80.69 a barrel by midday Tuesday. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell to $78.27 a barrel.

Qatar says US-Iran deal could boost Middle East security

Qatar said a deal between the US and Iran could boost security in the Middle East.

"We are cautiously optimistic that the signing of the memorandum of understanding will lead to the next phase of regional security through the talks that will take place on the nuclear programme and on other issues," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed Al Ansari said.

On the sidelines of the G7 summit, Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, held talks with President Donald Trump.

Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates were expected to discuss the war-driven economic fallout with G7 leaders.

Pakistani and Qatari officials will attend Friday's formal signing of the memorandum.

Qatar said, however, that rebuilding trust will take time after Iran struck targets across the Gulf during the war.

"I can't say that we are returning to business as usual in our region with our neighbours ... there is a lot of need for dialogue and for agreement over how to guarantee the security of our region," Al Ansari siad

IN DEPTH: Sigh of relief in Africa as the Strait of Hormuz 'reopens'

A potential US-Iran agreement could lower energy, fertilizer and food prices in Africa if the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens.

"This is the best news for Africa in a long time," Samuel Nyandemo, an economics professor at the University of Nairobi, told DW.

For Nyandemo, the impact would extend well beyond energy markets.

"Once the route is opened, we expect smooth mobility of goods and services," he said, noting that exports to Europe and Asia could again flow without costly detours, stabilizing supply chains and cutting transport expenses.

However, oil exporters such as Nigeria and Angola might have to cope with less revenue, experts say.

Find out how Africa could be among the main indirect beneficiaries of the end of the Iran war, by clicking here. 

Iran executes 2 people over anti-government protests

Iran has executed two men convicted over anti-government protests that peaked in January 2026.

State media describe Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi as "armed leaders of early 2026 unrest."

They were found guilty of "moharebeh," or waging war against God, and "corruption on earth," both capital offenses in the Islamic Republic. 

The United Nations reports at least 40 executions in 2026 so far, including 18 tied to protests.

Trump says unhappy with 'the way Israel handled itself with Lebanon, Hezbollah'

President Donald Trumpat the G7 on Tuesday laid out his frustration with continued Israel-Hezbollah hostilities in Lebanon.

"I'm not happy with the way Israel has handled itself with Lebanon and with Hezbollah," he said.

Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be "more responsible" in dealing with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"You don't have to knock down an apartment house every time you're looking for somebody. There are a lot of people in those apartment houses and their not all Hezbollah," Trump said. 

"Of all countries, they've been treated the worst," Trump said of Lebanon. 

"They should have been able to do the job faster, it just goes on forever," Trump said of Israeli military action. 

"When that happens it throws negative light on the deal with Iran," he added. 

Trump also mentioned he suggested Israel allow "Syria to take care of Hezbollah."

Lebanon was pulled into the war in March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel after the killing of Iran's supreme leader, prompting Israeli strikes and a ground invasion.