Iran came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their long-awaited opening game at the World Cup on Monday as European heavyweights Spain were frustrated in a shock stalemate by tiny tournament debutants Cape Verde.

After months of uncertainty surrounding their participation in the tournament following the war in the Middle East, all eyes were on the Iranians as they took on the New Zealanders in Group G at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium.

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK, June 15 (Reuters) - A key cooperating witness in the U.S. government's criminal investigation into Turkish lender Halkbank's alleged role in helping Iran evade sanctions is due to be sentenced in July, nearly nine years after he pleaded guilty, court records showed on Monday.

• Reza Zarrab's sentencing has been scheduled for July 14 in Manhattan federal court.

• It is common in U.S. criminal cases for cooperating witnesses to be sentenced only after the cases in which they may be called to testify are finished.

By Michael Holden and Sam Tobin

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) - Shortly after midnight on May 13, 2025, Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych messaged someone he knew as 'EL Money', a mystery figure who had instructed him to commit three arson attacks on property linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"I hope I will have an opportunity to shake your hand soon ... Be in touch," he said in a text message.

An hour later, counter-terrorism officers raided his London home and he was charged with committing arson with intent to endanger life.

EVIAN, France, June 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday a deal with Iran has been agreed and the test of the deal will be released sometime after a formal signing on Friday.

Speaking shortly after arriving in Evian, France, for a G7 meeting, Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open by Friday.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Franklin Paul)

The Strait of Hormuz will be "completely open" from Friday after a deal between Iran and the US to end the Middle East war that limited shipping in the critical bottleneck, President Donald Trump said on Monday.

Speaking at the start of bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a G7 summit in France, Trump added, "I don't think we are going to need much help" on keeping the strait open, after London and Paris proposed a joint naval mission.

Protests have swept Albania for more than two weeks over plans for a luxury hotel project linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

But in recent days, an investigation focusing on the acquisition of the land for the project and alleged money laundering has shaken the Balkan nation.

Albania's anti-corruption prosecutor launched a probe into how land in the protected coastal area of Zvernec changed hands, and why its value jumped from 5.5 million euros ($6.3 million) to 122 million in just a few months.

WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to settle a near four-month war, senior U.S. officials said on Monday, adding that a signing ceremony would take place on Friday and shipping traffic in the strait of Hormuz would gradually ramp up.

The memorandum of understanding has been signed by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad ​Bagher Qalibaf, one U.S. official said.

MOSCOW, June 15 (Reuters) - A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber plane crashed on Monday in Siberia's Irkutsk region during a training flight, the Russian Defence Ministry said, and the aircraft's crew had managed to safely eject.

The Tu-22, which can carry hypersonic "Kinzhal" missiles and is code named "Backfire" by NATO, is a Soviet-era supersonic bomber that Russia has since used for combat missions in Syria and Ukraine.

When Kamal Kamal heard a ceasefire deal had been agreed between Iran and the United States, he rushed back to the southern city of Nabatieh only to find an Israeli strike had reduced his life's work to rubble.

The city, usually home to some 90,000 people before the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted on March 2, was largely deserted as Israel pressed its military offensive in the area in recent days.

June 15 (Reuters) - An Israeli drone strike targeted a car in southern Lebanon, killing its driver, Lebanese security sources and state media reported on Monday.

The strike was the first reported deadly Israeli attack in Lebanon since the announcement of the U.S.-Iran agreement.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Writing by Tala RamadanEditing by Ros Russell)