Iran Israel Updates Friday June 19

- Former Ambassador David M Friedman: I have know President Trump longer than almost anyone in the current administration. I have worked with him both as a businessman and as the President.

He is a closer. He is an astute negotiator and he is the best friend Israel ever has had in the White House. We are at the very beginning of a process with Iran. Candidly, some of the comments of our Vice President have been disturbing, but he’s not in charge. Trump is. And I will give the President the benefit of the doubt  which he has earned  to bring this conflict to a successful conclusion. The President’s decision to engage with Iran militarily, in partnership with Israel, was bold and courageous and perfectly executed. I believe he will end this war on terms that will make the US, Israel and the entire world safer and more secure.

- Trump to Axios:The Iranians, very smart people. They're sort of primitive genius, but they're smart. They would've blown up Israel.

If it weren't for me, Israel would not exist today.

- US Secretary of State Rubio and Israel PM Netanyahu to hold a phone call, Israeli media reports

- Israeli source to i24NEWS: We have entered a ceasefire. We continue to act against threats and remain in the security zone. If Hezbollah harms our soldiers and civilians, we will respond with force.

- Despite the reported ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), the Israel Defense Force has carried out additional strikes in Lebanon in the hours since the ceasefire was announced. This, amidst pledges from Israeli military and civilian decision-makers that Israeli forces will not withdraw from areas in Southern Lebanon as long as LH poses a threat to Northern Israel.

- Iranian Foreign Ministry: The meeting planned for today in Switzerland is no longer urgent. "Preparations are underway for talks to take place "in the coming days." The discussions on a final agreement depend on "the start and continued implementation of the conditions set in the memorandum of understanding with the US." It was also stated that "the memorandum of understanding with the US to end the war was signed digitally, so the meeting planned for today in Switzerland is no longer urgent."

- Lindsey Graham: I  Completely agree with President Trump’s analysis that Iran’s capability to generate another October 7 or continue to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism on the planet has been massively degraded. To those who say Iran is stronger now than before, that is an insult to the American military and it is delusional thinking because the Iranian economy is in shambles. Mr. President, continue to try to find a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and other issues that have plagued the world since 1979. The day diplomacy is off the table will present America and our allies with some very stark choices. In the meantime, as we pursue diplomacy, make it crystal clear that Israel will not have to tolerate being attacked by Iranian proxies who cause parts of Israel to be uninhabitable. Pray for peace.

- The Iranians were very smart to insist on including the Lebanon war in the MOU. They didn’t want to be accused of violating the MOU and stalling the talks, so now they have a built-in lever to manipulate the negotiations. Every time they want to delay or back off from the talks, they tell Hezbollah to attack. Israel must respond, and Iran will claim, “This is a violation of the MOU, and the US is responsible for it.” Meanwhile, they get to sell oil and make billions of dollars without giving anything in return. The fact that Vance didn’t see this coming is just further proof of how bad this deal is.(Jewish warrior on x)

- Trump: The  War has diminished Iran! It doesn’t, any longer, have an Air Force, a Navy, Antiaircraft Equipment, Radar, or practically anything else, and yet the Dumocrats say that Iran is better off now than it was four months ago. Can you imagine getting away with that??? How stupid can some people be??? President DJT

- Trump: We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We’ll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents

- Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire set to begin at 4 p.m. local time on Friday, a senior U.S. official told Reuters.

- CNN: The US conveyed a message to Iran that Israel will not escalate its attacks in Lebanon.

- Interviewer to Trump: Would you be able to prevent Israel from attacking Lebanon?

Trump: Yes. They have a lot of respect for me, and they do what I say.

:Q: You said you want only unconditional surrender from Iran. The MOU doesn't look like unconditional surrender.

Trump: Yes, I suppose it's like unconditional surrender.

- Defense Minister Israel Katz says the IDF will remain in southern Lebanon “We will not allow harm to our soldiers and civilians, and every violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah will be met with great force,” 

“The IDF will remain in the security zone in Lebanon, from the coastline to the heights of the Beaufort, to protect the northern communities, thwart threats, and destroy terror infrastructure in the area, both below and above ground,”.

- US Ambassador to Israel Huckabee: “French FM said Israel needs to stop strikes on Hezbollah. Does France get all its info from Hezbollah? Last night, Israel had 4 of its soldiers killed. Israel strikes when struck as 

@yechielleiter brings FACTS. Ceasefire happens when Hezbollah stops shooting & killing.”

- Iran's Strait of Hormuz Authority announced that, following the memorandum of understanding with the United States, it WILL ALLOW passage through the Strait for vessels that submit requests and meet the established requirements.

- CNN: Iran requested guarantees that the fighting in Lebanon would end before returning to talks with the United States in Switzerland

- Pakistan: Israel's attack on Lebanon threatens US-Iran talks.

- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “I share with all my heart the sorrow of the families of the commander of the 52nd Armored Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gedaliya Ben Simhon, and of three heroic fighters whose names have not yet been released. May God avenge their blood, and I wish a full recovery to those injured in yesterday's exchange of fire. 

Following Hezbollah's criminal attack, which is a blatant violation of the ceasefire, I instructed the IDF last night to strike Hezbollah with force. The IDF attacked more than 80 terror targets and eliminated dozens of terrorists. Later, the IDF attacked Hezbollah headquarters in the Bekaa this morning...

The IDF will act to thwart any threat to our forces and territory. As I have made clear unequivocally, including yesterday, Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary to protect the northern communities.

- The IDF said it killed dozens of Hezbollah operatives in strikes on over 80 targets in southern and eastern Lebanon since Thursday night, after they launched several attacks on troops.

 - Hours after the deadly strike on a IDF tank, an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah struck forces of the Commando Brigade in Kfar Tebnit, wounding five soldiers, one of them seriously, according to the IDF.

Heavy clashes between IDF and Hezbollah terrorists last night in Southern Lebanon resulting in Casualties and injuries of soldiers. In response IDF killed at least 15 Hezbollah terrorists.

- 4 IDF Soldiers HY"D killed  when a suspected drone or anti-tank missile struck the tank killing all four crew members, the IDF said

Identified  so far:

Naveh Chabshush Hy"d from Geva.

Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, 32,, from Bet Hashitah

- IDF Spokesman: The Israeli army carried out attacks overnight and continues to strike against terrorists and terrorist infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in several areas in southern Lebanon.

These attacks come after repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement by the terrorist organization Hezbollah.

- Mark Levine: Hezbollah launcheld an attack tonight in which 4 Israeli soldiers were essentially incinerated. I assume Israel will hit back very hard. No MOU or final agreement will change who these terrorists are.

- Vice President Vance delays his departure for talks scheduled with Iran tomorrow. Due to technical issues