On June 18, 2026 (Day 112 of the Iran-Israel-US war, Operation Epic Fury / Thursday), the agreement moved decisively into effect with its most tangible result yet: the United States lifted its naval blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began moving freely through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in months after being unable to use the critical channel (AP/PBS, RFE/RL). THE SUPREME LEADER: in his first reaction to the deal, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the United States in a statement read by state media — “it is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s opinion” — marking a shift in Iran’s approach from the hardline stance of his late father, the previous supreme leader, who long opposed direct talks; the younger Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was wounded in a strike at the start of the war, and he separately confirmed he had authorized the agreement, claiming Trump resorted to pressure “out of desperation” (AP/PBS, CNN — Iranian state-sourced framing). NUCLEAR INSPECTIONS: Trump envoy Steve Witkoff told US lawmakers in a private briefing that Iran will invite the UN’s nuclear watchdog to inspect its sites and begin identifying and uncovering the locations of Tehran’s enriched material, with a letter to IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi enabling US inspectors to come to Tehran; the IAEA said it was ready to begin work implementing the deal, under which Iran’s highly enriched-uranium stockpile must at minimum be diluted under international supervision (AP, RFE/RL). THE CEREMONY IN DOUBT: Vice President Vance said he might postpone his planned Friday trip to Switzerland for the ceremonial signing, and Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif also postponed his visit — both because the agreement had already been signed — leaving the timeline of the Bürgenstock ceremony uncertain. TRUMP: the president said the US expects “a complete ceasefire on all fronts” and called on “everyone in the Middle East” to uphold their commitments, declaring “the United States is committed to PEACE” (CNN); Vance said the 60-day clock toward a final deal is underway and that each side is honoring its commitments so far. ECONOMY: Wall Street rose, erasing much of the prior day’s loss; US gas prices dipped below $4 a gallon for the first time since March (though still about 25% higher than a year earlier); and oil fell as the interim deal eased supply concerns (AP/Britannica, RFE/RL). AFTERMATH: residents began returning to war-ravaged southern Lebanon “with hope and sorrow,” while in Washington Senate Majority Leader Thune called the deal “a step in the right direction” but warned of a “contentious” fight over the final terms, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu — whose country is not a party — moved to influence the coming final-deal talks through right-wing media and friendly senators (AP, CNN). Net assessment: Day 112 is the day the deal produced its first irreversible physical facts — a lifted blockade and tankers moving through Hormuz — alongside the Supreme Leader’s endorsement and IAEA engagement, even as the formal ceremony slipped and the hardest nuclear and sanctions questions remain for the 60-day talks now underway.