Top Stories This Morning: The U.S. Will Allow Iran to Sell Oil; Apple Is Developing AirPods with Cameras

Under the agreement with Iran, the U.S. may, among other things, allow Tehran to export oil and petroleum products, according to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Apple is working on headphones with cameras, and the Donald Trump administration is postponing the addition of the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek and more than 100 other companies to the export blacklist, seeking to avoid straining relations with Beijing. Read about these and other topics in our roundup of key events as of the morning of June 17.

The U.S. and Iran plan to sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on June 19, which will launch 60 days of negotiations aimed at a final resolution of the conflict, according to Bloomberg. According to the draft document, Washington will issue permits for the export of Iranian oil and petrochemicals immediately after the signing and will also help restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, the U.S. and its regional partners intend to provide at least $300 billion in funding for Iran’s economic development and subsequently grant Tehran access to frozen assets.

In exchange, Iran must confirm that it will not develop nuclear weapons, resolve the issue of enriched uranium, and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The final lifting of U.S. sanctions and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region will be possible only after a comprehensive peace agreement is concluded.

Apple plans to release AirPods with built-in cameras in late 2027, alongside the second-generation foldable iPhone and an anniversary model marking the 20th anniversary of the product line, according to Bloomberg. The new earbuds will be the company’s first AI-focused wearable device and will be able to analyze the user’s surroundings through built-in cameras, helping Siri answer questions about objects and events around the user.

The device will look similar to the AirPods Pro, but will feature cameras and a Visual Intelligence system for object recognition, navigation, and context-aware reminders. The project is part of Apple’s broader strategy to enter the AI device market, which also includes the development of smart glasses and other AI-powered wearable gadgets.

Coinbase has introduced two new AI tools for investors, according to Yahoo Finance. The first is a digital advisor that will analyze a portfolio and market conditions and then provide specific recommendations on buying and selling assets. The second will allow AI agents to independently execute trades and manage investment strategies on behalf of clients.

The company believes that the new services will make professional investment tools more accessible to retail investors. Analysts expect that the use of AI agents could increase retail traders’ activity by a factor of 10 to 20.

The Donald Trump administration has not yet added the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, memory chip manufacturer CXMT, and more than 100 other companies on the U.S. export blacklist, despite an interagency committee approving such measures as early as last year, Reuters reports, citing sources. According to these sources, Washington fears a further deterioration in relations with Beijing.

Experts and former officials warn that the absence of new restrictions allows U.S. technology to continue flowing to companies that the U.S. considers a threat to national security.

— Japan's broad-based Topix index rose 0.7%, while the Nikkei 225 gained 0.8%.

— Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.6%, while mainland China's CSI 300 Index rose 0.5%.

— In South Korea, the KOSPI index rose 1.6%, and the KOSDAQ index rose 1%.

— Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.6%.

— S&P 500 futures rose 0.3%, Nasdaq Composite futures gained 0.7%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose less than 0.1%.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor