Middle East Crisis: Netanyahu’s Decision on Israeli Forces in Lebanon and Trump’s Plans for the Persian Gulf

US President Donald Trump announced on June 15, 2026, that a peace agreement with Iran is fully signed, designating the Strait of Hormuz as a permanently toll-free waterway. The announcement comes as G7 leaders finalize the deal’s remaining details and US officials clash with industry leaders over oil export volumes.

Trump stated that the agreement is “all signed,” according to The Guardian. While the US president characterized the deal as complete, G7 leaders are still working to resolve “loose ends” associated with the pact’s implementation, The Guardian reported.

How will the US-Iran deal affect the Strait of Hormuz?

The agreement establishes the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, as a “permanently toll-free” zone, according to The New York Times. This designation aims to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy shipments through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

Trump confirmed that ships carrying oil are currently moving out of the Strait, according to Reuters. The movement of these vessels serves as a primary indicator of the deal’s immediate impact on maritime traffic in the region.

Why is there a dispute over Persian Gulf oil volumes?

A discrepancy has emerged between US government data and private sector reporting regarding the volume of oil exiting the Persian Gulf. The US energy secretary claimed that 7 million barrels of oil are leaving the region daily, according to Fortune.

The CEO of Chevron rebutted this claim, according to Fortune. This contradiction between the energy secretary’s figures and the Chevron executive’s assessment highlights a gap in how government officials and energy corporations are tracking current export flows under the new diplomatic framework.

What is the status of Israeli forces in Lebanon?

In a separate regional development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will remain in a Lebanon “buffer zone” for as long as he deems it necessary, according to The Guardian.

The maintenance of this zone occurs alongside the broader diplomatic shifts involving Iran and the US. Netanyahu’s insistence on a continued military presence indicates that while some Middle East tensions are easing through the US-Iran pact, security disputes between Israel and Lebanese forces remain unresolved.

What happens next with the G7 and the peace deal?

Despite Trump’s declaration that the deal is signed, the G7—a group of seven of the world’s largest advanced economies—continues to battle over final details. These “loose ends” must be tied up before the agreement reaches full international consensus, according to The Guardian.

The G7’s role is critical because the “toll-free” status of the Strait of Hormuz affects global shipping laws and international trade protocols. Until these leaders reach a final agreement, the legal framework for the waterway’s new status may remain in flux.

The contrast between the US administration’s optimism and the G7’s ongoing negotiations suggests a staggered rollout of the peace deal. While oil tankers have begun moving, the diplomatic infrastructure supporting the pact is still being constructed by global allies.