GRANTS, N.M. – The latest developments in the Iran war show the conflict moving deeper into the diplomatic phase with major questions still unresolved over Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program.
According to the Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project, talks in Switzerland on June 21 produced several developments favorable to Iran, including a new “deconfliction cell” meant to oversee the ceasefire in Lebanon. ISW-CTP reported that the new cell includes the United States, Iran, Qatar, Lebanon and Pakistan – but excludes Israel.
That structure is important because, according to ISW-CTP, it appears to replace the previous post-2024 ceasefire monitoring mechanism that included Israel and allowed Israel to raise Hezbollah ceasefire violations directly. ISW-CTP assessed that replacing that mechanism could constrain Israel’s ability to act against Hezbollah and could benefit both Iran and Hezbollah.
According to ISW-CTP, Iran continues to demand a full ceasefire in Lebanon and a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Israeli officials, however, continue to say Israel must maintain the right to protect itself and continue clearing Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli, U.S. and Lebanese officials are expected to discuss Lebanon ceasefire issues in Washington, D.C., between June 23 and 25, according to ISWCTP.
Iran has also gained economic relief.
According to ISW-CTP, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a waiver June 22 allowing Iranian crude oil and petrochemical exports through Aug. 21, including associated banking, insurance and transportation services. ISW-CTP reported that Iranian media also claimed Iran and Qatar signed a separate memorandum of understanding related to unfreezing Iranian assets, though Qatar had not acknowledged that claim at the time of the update.
On the nuclear issue, according to ISW-CTP, Iran does not appear to have made new concessions during the June 21 Switzerland talks. Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the two sides expressed views on Iran’s nuclear program but did not negotiate their positions. According to ISWCTP, Baghaei also said the United States must fulfill other parts of the agreement, including ceasefire and economic relief terms, before “mutual obligations” can move forward.
President Donald Trump suggested June 22 that Iran will have to agree to International Atomic Energy Agency inspections, according to ISW-CTP. Baghaei denied that Iran had made any new commitments on inspections.
The Strait of Hormuz also remains unsettled. According to ISW-CTP, U.S. and Iranian delegations agreed June 21 to establish a line of communication to prevent military incidents as commercial vessels transit the strait. ISW-CTP reported that Iranian-affiliated media characterized that line of communication as proof of Iranian sovereignty over the waterway, while the apparent purpose is to avoid maritime accidents or miscommunication.
According to ISW-CTP, 25 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz between the afternoon of June 21 and the afternoon of June 22, despite Iranian claims that it had closed the strait because of Israeli actions in Lebanon.
Iran has gained some economic relief, Lebanon remains a sticking point, and the Strait of Hormuz is still at the center of a larger fight over who controls one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
In Remembrance
The following 13 U.S. service members gave their lives for our Freedom in this conflict. The Cibola County community honors their service and holds their families in our thoughts.
Drone attack in Kuwait March 1, 2026
• Capt. Cody A. Khork
• Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens
• Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor
• Sgt. Declan J. Coady
• Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan Attack in Saudi Arabia March 1, 2026
• Sgt. Benjamin Pennington KC-135 crash in Iraq March 12, 2026
• Maj. John A. Klinner
• Capt. Ariana G. Savino
• Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt
• Capt. Seth R. Koval
• Capt. Curtis J. Angst
• Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons