https://www.rferl.org/z/23310 The main story of the day from RFE/RL Central Newsroom. https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/23310 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:31:25 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL Vice President JD Vance said "good progress" was made in negotiations on a framework toward reaching a final peace deal within 60 days, including the guarantee of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, an end to fighting in Lebanon, and Tehran's acceptance of visits by IAEA inspectors. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-united-states-burgenstock-roadmap-war/33786170.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-united-states-burgenstock-roadmap-war/33786170.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:16:39 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East High-level talks are now under way between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian representatives at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, launching what could become the most consequential diplomatic effort yet to stabilize the Middle East after near four months of war. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-talks-switzerland-hormuz/33785567.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-talks-switzerland-hormuz/33785567.html Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:26:41 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East When he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many warned Vladimir Putin that the offensive he claimed was meant to bolster Russia’s security would instead put it in jeopardy. Now, in a country steeped in war, analysts say peace could pose major risks – not least for Putin himself. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-invasion-peace-risks-putin/33783105.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-invasion-peace-risks-putin/33783105.html Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:49:32 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline The US-Iranian deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is inevitably being compared with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed with Tehran by then US President Barack Obama. So how do they stand apart? https://www.rferl.org/a/obama-iran-deal-trump-agreement/33783735.html https://www.rferl.org/a/obama-iran-deal-trump-agreement/33783735.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:33:06 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict that has roiled the Middle East since late February. https://www.rferl.org/a/uran-us-sign-deal-trump-pezeshkian-hormuz-nuclear/33783570.html https://www.rferl.org/a/uran-us-sign-deal-trump-pezeshkian-hormuz-nuclear/33783570.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:01:01 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline Senior US officials have disclosed details of the framework deal with Iran that is set to be officially signed during a ceremony in Switzerland on June 19. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-memorandum-of-understanding-details-us-officials-nuclear-hormuz-sanctions/33783235.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-memorandum-of-understanding-details-us-officials-nuclear-hormuz-sanctions/33783235.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:15:58 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline US President Donald Trump said a framework agreement to be signed with Iran this week makes it "loud and clear" that Tehran will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons as the two sides try to move toward ending their war. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-deal-iran-nuclear-weapons/33782189.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-deal-iran-nuclear-weapons/33782189.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:38:48 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East The United States and Iran have electronically signed a framework deal to end the three-month-long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, senior US administration officials said on June 15. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-peace-agreement-pakistan-israel-lebanon/33780270.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-peace-agreement-pakistan-israel-lebanon/33780270.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:40:12 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East A social media post by Pakistan's prime minister set a 24-hour clock ticking on July 13 as he said a deal between Washington and Tehran was closer “than ever before.” https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-deal-conflicting-reports-fragile-cease-fire/33779736.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-deal-conflicting-reports-fragile-cease-fire/33779736.html Sat, 13 Jun 2026 16:15:33 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline President Donald Trump said the ⁠United States is going to attack Iran “very hard” if a deal aimed at ending the three-month war is not finalized. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-war-negotiations/33777713.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-war-negotiations/33777713.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:15:58 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East What’s the latest brick in Russia’s effort to build its Great Internet Firewall? A proposal to create a government-run Virtual Private Network, co-opting a tool that has been widely embraced by Russians trying to avoid government censorship. Industry insiders are reportedly unimpressed. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-tech-internet-vpn-super-app-digital/33777612.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-tech-internet-vpn-super-app-digital/33777612.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:36:41 +0200 RussiaFeaturesRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline The US House of Representatives has passed legislation requiring the administration to produce a detailed assessment of Russian and Chinese intelligence activities in Georgia https://www.rferl.org/a/us-house-passes-georgia-bill-targeting-russian-chinese-influence-amid-deepening-rift-with-tbilisi/33776729.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-house-passes-georgia-bill-targeting-russian-chinese-influence-amid-deepening-rift-with-tbilisi/33776729.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:25:16 +0200 GeorgiaNewsRussiaThe Rundown HeadlineChina Victory for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in parliamentary elections marks a firm slap down of Russian efforts to derail his pro-Western policy moves, although failure to win a two-thirds majority in parliament will complicate the ongoing US-brokered peace process with Azerbaijan. https://www.rferl.org/a/pashinian-armenia-victory-election-russia-rejection/33775876.html https://www.rferl.org/a/pashinian-armenia-victory-election-russia-rejection/33775876.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:00:38 +0200 News AnalysisArmeniaAzerbaijanRussiaThe Rundown Headline The ruling Civil Contract party of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has taken a big lead in a crucial parliamentary election, gaining 51.4 percent of the vote as initial ballots are counted. https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-election-parliament-pashinian-russia-eu/33774157.html https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-election-parliament-pashinian-russia-eu/33774157.html Sun, 07 Jun 2026 06:00:51 +0200 NewsArmeniaAzerbaijanRussiaThe Rundown Headline Kazakhstan has offered to host Iran's enriched uranium in order to streamline a potential peace deal between Tehran and Washington. The offer comes more than 30 years after a massive haul of weapons-grade uranium was taken out of the Central Asian country and flown to the US. https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-iran-project-sapphire-enriched-uranium/33773568.html https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-iran-project-sapphire-enriched-uranium/33773568.html Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:06:22 +0200 Photo GalleriesFeaturesIranKazakhstanPicksThe Rundown Headline From Ukraine to Tehran, asymmetric warfare is redefining the modern battlefield. Superiority is no longer measured solely by jets and naval fleets, but by inexpensive unmanned drones. https://www.rferl.org/a/drones-iran-ukraine-russia-houthis-hezbollah/33772693.html https://www.rferl.org/a/drones-iran-ukraine-russia-houthis-hezbollah/33772693.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:52:16 +0200 IranFeaturesRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East As Russia struggles to replace soldiers being killed in high numbers in the fifth year of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, these is mounting evidence of the military returning men to the war despite severe injuries and, sometimes, medical findings saying they are not fit for further service. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war-casualties-wounded-return/33771000.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war-casualties-wounded-return/33771000.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:56:45 +0200 RussiaFeaturesUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline Families sharing single meals. Appliances sold to pay utility bills. Businesses gutted. Four Iranians inside the country describe an economy in freefall. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-economy-us-war-sanctions/33771852.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-economy-us-war-sanctions/33771852.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:43:53 +0200 IranFeaturesEconomyThe Rundown Headline A large-scale overnight Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed at least four people and injured dozens, including children, Ukrainian officials said. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drone-and-missile-attack-kyiv-ukraine/33770716.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drone-and-missile-attack-kyiv-ukraine/33770716.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:55:33 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline The shaky video of the incident recalled the famous "Tank Man" protester on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, who single-handedly defied an armored column during pro-democracy protests in 1989 that were subsequently crushed by tanks. https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-tehran-tiananmen-moment/33770299.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-tehran-tiananmen-moment/33770299.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:03:37 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown Headline