Bowen: US-Iran deal raises inescapable question of what the war was for

AFP via Getty Images A woman wearing a black dress walks past an anti-US mural outside the former US embassy in Tehran on 15 June. AFP via Getty Images
Iranian civilians have been living under the threat of strikes for months

The memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump and President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran lays out the political, military and economic consequences of the ill-judged decision to attack Iran on 28 February.

The human cost is already clear. Thousands have been killed, many of them civilians, in Iran and Lebanon.

The US, and by extension Israel, have suffered a strategic defeat. The regime in Tehran faced its worst nightmare: a

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Why Iran believes deal with US leaves it stronger than before

Anadolu via Getty Images An oil tanker stands anchored between two rocky shores on a sunny evening. The image shows the Strait of Hormuz on 17 June Anadolu via Getty Images
Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday

For Iran, the deal with the US offers something just as important as a ceasefire: a way to claim that it has not just survived the war without surrendering but has emerged from it stronger.

From the start, Tehran's core objective was not necessarily to defeat the US and Israel in conventional military terms. It was to come out of the conflict with the Islamic Republic intact, its leadership still functioning and its negotiating position not completely broken.

The


Should the US impose a teen social media ban like the UK?

The UK is enforcing a social media ban for children under the age of 16. The BBC asked Americans of different ages if they thought it was a good idea.

Should the US impose a teen social media ban like the UK?

The UK is imposing a social media ban for children under the age of 16. British politicians say they will provide an update on further restrictions like potential curfews and curbing of "addictive" features like infinite scroll and AI chatbots, in July.

The BBC spoke to Americans of different ages about the UK ban and if they would support a similar one in the US.

Video by Meiying Wu


Jury fails to reach verdict in Norwegian 'hitman' trial

Julia Quenzler A court sketch of a young man sat in court. He is wearing a white shirt and has medium-length brown hair with a middle parting. Julia Quenzler
Johannes Natland was remanded in custody until a retrial can take place

A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a Norwegian teenager accused of travelling to England to carry out a killing on behalf of an international crime gang backed by Iran.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, allegedly agreed with the Swedish Foxes gang to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 euros (£21,500) in March last year.

Two days after arriving in the UK, armed


Weapons, money and ships: How is this Iran deal different from others?

BBC Bunting of Iranian flags next to missiles on display, with Azadi Tower in the background, during the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran February 11, 2026. BBC

President Donald Trump has formally signed a deal with Iran to end the conflict that began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched air strikes against Tehran and across the country.

The terms of the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran have been criticised over what is included and what is left out.

There have also been questions about how the agreement - which lays the groundwork for talks on Iran's nuclear weapons programme - will also affect economic sanctions and access to

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Hegseth says some Nato allies will fail as he announces US review of Europe forces

EPA Hegseth gestures with both of his hands as he stands in front of a Nato branded blue backdrop at a summit. He is wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and white, blue and pink striped tie. EPA
Pete Hegseth warned that while some countries would fail, "others will pass with flying colours"

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has severely criticised some of America's Nato allies, while announcing a six-month review of the presence of US forces in Europe.

"It's a review that some countries will fail, and others will pass with flying colours", he said at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, singling out allies that he suggested had been "free-riding".

Hegseth was

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British man dies in paragliding accident in Spain

Getty Images An image depicting the hills of Tremp in Catalonia. Large green and brown mountains stand in front of a blue sky with several clouds. Getty Images
The accident took place near the town of Tremp in Catalonia

A 63-year-old British man has died in a paragliding accident in Spain's north-eastern Catalonia region, authorities have said.

Emergency services received a report of the accident in the Palau de Noguera area, near the town of Tremp, about 13:30 local time (14:30 BST) on Wednesday.

The man, who was found seriously injured by rescuers, received first aid until medical teams arrived


First Russian shadow fleet vessel enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding

BBC The Forwarder anchored at port. The tanker is imposed over the BBC Verify colours and branding. BBC

A Russian "shadow fleet" tanker has entered the English Channel for the first time since UK forces boarded the Smyrtos early on Sunday morning, ship tracking data reviewed by BBC Verify shows.

Forwarder, a Russian-flagged ship that left port in Primorsk last week, entered the Channel on Wednesday evening and sailed south. It is broadcasting its final destination as Dongying port in China.

UK-sanctioned shadow fleet vessels have avoided the Channel since British troops intercepted the Smyrtos, with tracking data showing a number of sanctioned ships

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Will Putin change tactics after Ukrainian drone attacks?

Steve Rosenberg explains what Russia's next steps may be after frequent Ukrainian drone attacks.