‘Little bit’ of progress in US-Iran talks, Washington says

By Mariamne Everett and Stephen Quillen

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says there has been some “slight progress” in talks with Iran to end the war, adding that he did not wish to exaggerate how much.

• An Israeli strike on Lebanon’s Deir Qanoun en-Nahr has killed six, including two rescuers and a Syrian child, the country’s Ministry of Public Health says.

• Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran reports that Pakistani officials are engaged in “intense mediation activity”, while a senior Iranian official said a deal was close. A second Iranian source, however, said it was too early to say whether a final agreement could be reached.

• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says that 35 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz with Iran’s permission in the last 24 hours.

• Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with visiting Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss the latest proposals to end the war and outstanding disagreements between the US and Iran, according to Iranian media.

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “there’s been a little bit of movement” towards a deal, but “I don’t want to exaggerate it”.

• Iran’s IRGC navy said 35 ships passed the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission over the last 24 hours.

• An Israeli attack in southern Lebanon’s Deir Qanoun al-Nahr killed six people, including two paramedics and a girl, reported Lebanon’s National News Agency. 

Iran’s IRGC says 35 ships passed Hormuz with permission in last 24 hours

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has issued a statement saying that 35 ships, including oil tankers and container vessels, have transited the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.

It said that these movements took place with the permission of and coordination with the IRGC navy.

Yesterday, the IRGC said 31 ships crossed the waterway in a 24-hour period.

UAE’s Gargash says Iranian control of Strait of Hormuz would set serious precedent

UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash has warned that any move by Iran to alter the status of the Strait of Hormuz would have severe global repercussions, including for Europe, and set a serious precedent.

In comments carried by Reuters, Gargash said European countries should view Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz not as a distant problem, but as one directly tied to their energy and trade security.

He also said that the US has become “more central” in every Gulf country’s calculations following the Iran war.

European shares rise on signs of progress in US-Iran peace talks

European shares have moved higher, with investors optimistic about signs of progress in US and Iran peace talks despite both sides remaining at odds over key issues.

The pan-European STOXX 600 gained 0.5 percent to 623.79 points as of 07:03 GMT, and was on track to end the week with gains.

Official data showed German consumer sentiment recovered heading into June, while a separate reading confirmed that the economy grew by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of this year.

Money markets price in at least two rate hikes from the European Central Bank before the end of the year.

Among early movers, Cartier-owner Richemont CFR.S advanced 4.2 percent after reporting better-than-expected fourth quarter revenue.

Germany says preparing to participate in mission to secure Strait of Hormuz

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul tells reporters that Germany is preparing to participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz under a UK-led mission, though he added that he did not see it as a NATO mission.

Wadephul said it had always been clear that the US would be shifting troops, referring to a US announcement earlier this month that it would be withdrawing about 5,000 soldiers from the country over the next 6-12 months.

The German FM also said he welcomed Trump’s decision to deploy 5,000 additional US soldiers in Poland, adding that Germany was inviting the US to stick with its original plan to deploy long-range missiles to Germany.