White House Roundup
Thursday June 18, 2026
VP Vance’s US-Iran MOU Briefing and President Trump’s Medal Honor Ceremony
Vice President JD Vance opened the Press Briefing providing the Administration’s accomplishments that led to the US-Iran MOU which took effect on Thursday, after President Donald Trump signed the document during his G7 Summit in France, on Wednesday. Since then, the Iranians have reportedly also signed the MOU.
Accomplishments he articulated:
· Oil was moving thru’ the Strait of Hormuz
· Oil prices and gas prices were down nearly to the level before the conflict
· Iran did not shoot at passing ships, in honoring their commitment
· US has allowed ships to pass through their naval blockade
· Iran’s nuclear program has been completely destroyed
· Facilities for enrichment of uranium were destroyed
· Iran’s capacity to threaten their neighbors was largely gone.
Future benefits for Iran. US posture is as follows:
· Iran will not get any financial or reconstruction benefits until they have met certain milestones or criteria.
· No US money will be given to Iran
· Iran must comply with US demands and change their behavior
· If they do change their behavior then they will have a transformative relationship with the Middle East and vice-versa.
The Israel Factor:
The Vice President acknowledged that some groups and individuals were nervous about the MOU. However, in his defense of the MOU he directed very strong words at the Government of Israel. He submitted that certain officials have not only attacked the deal, but they also have attacked President Trump.
He also argued that it was the president’s expectation that the Israelis and the Arabs will work together to actually see this deal accomplished.
Further, he lamented that President Trump was the only Head of State in the entire world who was sympathetic to the nation of Israel, and he added that two-thirds of the defensive weapons that protect Israel were made in America.
The Medal of Honor Ceremony
On Thursday, June 18, 2026, President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three outstanding Service Members. They were Major James Capers, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), Colonel John W. Ripley, U.S. Marine Corps (Posthumous), and Major Nicholas Dockery, U.S. Army (Retired).
President Trump narrated their outstanding successes and heroic feats.
Then-Second Lieutenant James Capers, Jr. received the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as a Team Leader with 3d Force Reconnaissance Company, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam from March 31 to April 3, 1967.
He successfully directed fire onto an enemy base camp, thwarting an impending attack on a nearby Marine battalion. He was severely injured during an ambush by the enemy.
Then-Captain John W. Ripley received the Medal of Honor posthumously for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on April 2, 1972, while serving as Senior Marine Advisor to the Third Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving in this capacity, he played a pivotal role in halting a major North Vietnamese mechanized assault.
Lastly, then-Second Lieutenant Nicholas Dockery received the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on October 2, 2012, while serving as a Platoon Leader, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. On this day, a large and well-armed Taliban force ambushed Second Lieutenant Dockery’s platoon. Over the course of four hours, he fought and maintained contact with the enemy in extremely restricted urban terrain, personally risking his life on numerous occasions to protect and evacuate three wounded members of his platoon. Those members of his platoon, present, were recognized by President Trump.
Written by Cherub Nicholls. Photos by Cherub Nicholls. Locations: Press Briefing Room & East Room, White House. Thursday June 18th.