For now, links to NINE reports, analyses, commentaries and interviews: from Reuters, Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Middle East Monitor, and the Chris Hedges Report — the last via ScheerPost and, most recently, Consortium News; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up or down this date’s WEST BANK, LEBANON, UKRAINE and MEDIA so far, and down for IRAN 6-17-26.) — MCM
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First tankers cross strait under Iran deal; Israeli strikes raise doubt in Lebanon, by Maya Gebeily, Rami Ayyub and Zohra Bensemra | Reuters BEIRUT / JERUSALEM / QLAILIEH, Lebanon — Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying 6 million barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz today, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end the war that has disrupted global energy supplies. READ MORE . . .
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Hormuz vessels must still coordinate with IRGC navy, Iranian state TV says. From Middle East Eye. The transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz still needs to be done in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, Iranian state television said today. Vessels began moving through the strait following the signing of a deal to bring the U.S. war on Iran to a close.
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U.S. and Iran sign initial deal to end war, ease sanctions and open strait as nuclear talks continue, by Michelle L. Price, Matthew Lee, Jon Gambrell, Samy Magdy and Mike Catalini | AP WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran on Wednesday that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to details released by both countries. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE and HERE for two reports from NPR.
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FROM JUNE 17 Transcript of the deal between the U.S. and Iran. From AP. Senior U.S. officials on Wednesday read the memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists after days of secrecy over what is in the document. READ MORE . . .
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U.S.-Iran deal leaves Israel isolated and Netanyahu exposed, by Meron Rapoport | Middle East Eye TEL AVIV — Israelis are viewing the emerging U.S.-Iran deal as more than just a diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran. READ MORE . . .
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The U.S.-Iran deal: What has changed and what does this mean for the region? by Ahmed Asmar | Middle East Monitor War is a perilous political act aimed at shifting the balance of power. What balance did the United States seek to impose when it launched its war against Iran, and what did it achieve? And what does this . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM APRIL 3 and FEB. 17 Is Iran the ‘leading state sponsor of terrorism’? Journalist Chris Hedges of the Chris Hedges Report speaks with former CIA officer, author and whistleblower John Kiriakou. The short answer to the headline is no. After Kiriakou defines terrorism, the two discuss topics related to intelligence agencies of various countries. Click HERE for interview, a transcript and an introduction from ScheerPost.
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TO BE CONTINUED