Friday morning news: June 19, 2026

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Iran latest » Iranian oil tankers and ships are once again sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. That comes amid a framework peace deal by which the U.S. has lifted its naval blockade against Iran, and Tehran has agreed to reopen the strait. But it could take weeks for normal commercial traffic to resume due to safety concerns.

The agreement is drawing mixed reviews in Washington. Everyone’s happy about the strait reopening, but GOP Sen. Tom Cotton adds:

COTTON:  But I do have concerns that certain aspects of this deal are a step in the wrong direction For instance, we're gonna lift sanctions on Iran's oil exports right away.

Iran gets that relief up front at the beginning of a 2-month negotiating window over its nuclear program.

But most of the incentives for Iran are phased, set to take place gradually as Tehran makes good on its assurances. Vice President JD Vance told White House reporters that includes a planned US troop drawdown in the area.

VANCE:  What we're saying is that we will withdraw troops to the pre-conflict level, meaning we're not gonna keep a couple of extra aircraft carrier groups over there. The Iranians don't want that. Frankly, we don't want that either

But President Trump has made clear that further military action remains on the table if Iran does not comply.

Hegseth chides NATO, review of U.S. forces in Europe » Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe. The review's outcome will depend on how quickly European allies take responsibility for their own security.

Speaking in Brussels to many of his European counterparts, Hegseth criticized NATO allies for not spending more on defense.

HEGSETH:  NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that it needs to go back to a real hard-line military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defense.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted a significant increase in European defense spending and said Washington’s demands are reasonable.

RUTTE:  It's a fair deal with the United States. You say, you said we are committed to NATO, but you also have an expectation.

An expectation that each NATO ally pulls its own weight on defense.

Hegeseth also criticized many allies for not providing access to bases for U.S. forces during the Iran war, and for prioritizing things like gender equity and climate change over defense.

Ukraine-Russia latest » In Moscow:

SOUND: [Attacks in Moscow]

An air defense missile hits its target as Russian forces attempt to repel one of Ukraine's largest drone attacks since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. A fireball and massive smoke plume filled the sky Thursday after Ukraine hit a major Moscow oil refinery for a second time in a week.

AUDIO: [Zelenskyy in Brussels]

Speaking from Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack retaliation for a Russian strike that damaged a Kyiv monastery.

Eleven people were killed in that strike that sparked a fire at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

Built in the 11th century, Zelenskyy said the historic monastery played a key role in Christianity's spread in the region.

ZELENSKYY: Taking such places is in fact a crime against humanity. Of course we are preparing our responses to such Russian attacks and today you can see one of those responses in the Moscow region this morning.

Ukraine's strike on the oil refinery also resulted in hundreds of flight disruptions at airports in and near Moscow.

Miami-Dade fires » In South Florida, crews in Miami-Dade County are still battling two wildfires that have scorched more than 16,000 acres at the edge of the Everglades.

Fire Chief Ray Jadallah says it started Sunday as a single brushfire, sparked by lightning. But:

JADALLAH: The fire has now split into two. The fire has two names. We have the Quarry Two fire and we also have the Well fire.

The larger Quarry fire is now more than 50-percent contained; the Well fire, around a quarter. But thick smoke has fouled the air for miles — including in nearby Doral. Mayor Christi Fraga:

FRAGA: We ask you to limit outdoor exposure, keep windows closed, put your air on recirculation. Obviously, there is some ash. And for seniors or young children with asthma, please take particular precautions.

Firefighters are also up against brutal heat — forecasters say the heat index could hit 110 degrees this week.

Gas prices dip » Relief is finally showing up at the gas pump. The national average for regular unleaded has dropped below $4 a gallon. Triple-A puts it at $3.99, down about 13 cents in just a week.

The big driver, of course, is news of the framework peace deal with Iran. The pact to reopen the Strait of Hormuz caused crude to tumble to its lowest in three months.

Most experts expect prices to continue dropping, but caution that we’re not likely to see a return to pre-war prices anytime soon.

I'm Kent Covington.

Coming up: The toys of Toy Story are back and face a new threat: technology. Plus, Arsenio Orteza talks with American roots band The Petersens about their new album.

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