US Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (June 20, 2026)
Day 114 | US & Iranian delegations to meet for talks in Switzerland
Vice President JD Vance departed Washington on Saturday for Switzerland, where negotiations with Iran are scheduled to begin on Sunday; while the Swiss Foreign Ministry said an Iranian delegation arrived at the Burgenstock resort in efforts to end the war.
Speaking to reporters before leaving Joint Base Andrews, Vance said he’s optimistic about making progress on the nuclear issue and the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Regarding the Lebanon front, where clashes between Hezbollah and Israel threaten the preliminary US-Iran agreement, the vice president claimed the situation was improving.
The US vice president is expected to join envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, in Switzerland.
The Iranian delegation landed in Switzerland late Saturday, said Bern.
"We welcome the arrival of the Iranian delegation in Switzerland," the Swiss foreign ministry said on X.
State media said it included parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the delegation would "demand implementation of the other party's commitments" under the deal.
"Otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble," he said, according to official news agency IRNA.
Iran said earlier on Saturday it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again over ‘Israeli’ attacks in Lebanon, jolting the fragile US agreement.
The Revolutionary Guards' naval force warned vessels not to approach the waterway, saying "their security will be jeopardised".
Tehran had agreed to reopen it under the preliminary accord signed this week by President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, and shipping traffic had begun to recover.
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Read more: Day 115 | First round of US–Iran Swiss talks concludes
'Israel' lifts all war-related restrictions on northern border areas
'Israel' on Sunday announced the lifting of all restrictions imposed on northern border areas as part of the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, after fighting wound down following a flare-up.
"Starting at 6:00 am on Monday, June 22, 2026, all restrictions will be lifted in the Confrontation Line area," the 'Israeli' military said, adding that the border communities "will move to a full activity level, with no restrictions, instead of a partial activity level".
Iranian negotiator says draft for temporary oil sanctions relief is finalized
A member of Iran’s delegation to the Switzerland talks said a draft agreement for a temporary US sanctions exemption on Iranian oil and oil derivatives had been completed, according to Fars News Agency, adding that the negotiations were focused on ending the war on all fronts, lifting the siege, reopening the strait, releasing frozen Iranian assets and paving the way for implementation of the deal.
Iran-US talks continue despite reports of pause: Axios
A diplomat participating in the discussions told Axios that Iranian and US negotiators have not left the talks and that discussions are still ongoing.
Iran warns US to 'be careful' after Trump threat
Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday warned the United States against making threats at the Islamic republic, vowing that "our armed forces are ready to respond".
"Don't they think that if their threats had any effect, they would not have reached today's state of desperation? We do not take American threats into account," said Ghalibaf, after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran over its support for Hezbollah.
"They would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act."
Hezbollah chief rejects any 'Israeli' security zone in Lebanon
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Sunday rejected any 'Israeli' security zone in Lebanon, after 'Israel's' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed his troops would remain in the country's south for as long as necessary.
'Israeli' troops "remaining on Lebanese land is impossible. There are no security zones for Israel... we have a national army which deploys, and it is responsible for preserving sovereignty, and it is who we cooperate with," Qassem said in a televised address, adding that "Israel is an aggressor and must leave."
Iran state media says nuclear programme not discussed in US talks
Iranian state television reported on Sunday a pause in the US-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland, and said that the Islamic republic's nuclear programme had not been discussed.
"No negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear programme took place during the 80-minute first round of talks," the state broadcaster said, adding that the focus had been on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, and the situation in Lebanon.
'Israel' PM says troops to stay in south Lebanon 'as long as necessary'
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that 'Israeli' forces would remain in southern Lebanon "as long as necessary", while also vowing to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
"We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the cherished residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel... Nothing will alter that commitment," Netanyahu said.
"And with regard to Iran: whatever political developments may unfold, I will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. As long as I serve as prime minister of Israel, that will not happen."
First round of Iran-US talks in Switzerland concludes, reports say
The first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland has concluded, according to media reports, with more details expected soon.
Lebanon death toll rises to 4,106 since March 2 fighting began
At least 4,106 people have been killed and 12,153 wounded in Lebanon since fighting between 'Israel' and Hezbollah began on March 2, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, including 383 women, 251 children and 135 medical workers.
Iranian president says Tehran will not back down on uranium enrichment
Iran’s president said Tehran will not retreat from its right to enrich uranium, adding that the other side is now obliged to accept Iran’s position as negotiations continue.
Trump threatens to strike Iran over support for Hezbollah
US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to strike Iran if it did not "immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble," as peace talks started in Switzerland.
Trump was referring to Hezbollah, which joined the Middle East war with attacks on Israel. Clashes in recent days between the two have threatened to derail the US-Iran preliminary peace deal.
"If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Trump threatens to seize Strait of Hormuz, impose transit fees on Iran if talks fail
US President Donald Trump said Washington could become the “guardian angel” of the Strait of Hormuz and take “20% of the oil,” while threatening to seize control of the strategic waterway and impose transit fees on Iran if negotiations fail, according to an interview with Fox News as talks open in Switzerland.
US, Iran will ‘work together to promote peace, prosperity’, says Vance
US Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of being a “driver of regional instability” during ongoing talks in Switzerland.
However, he said there had been “great” progress made in the last few hours of negotiations.
Vance added that both sides now see a “future together where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity.”
He also said President Donald Trump had instructed negotiators to “turn over a new leaf” in relations with Iran, aiming to transform ties with the Iranian people.
Pakistan’s Sharif thanks Trump for ‘visionary and very dynamic leadership’
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanks Trump for his “visionary and very dynamic leadership which resulted in this meeting here”.
Vance says Trump paved way for diplomatic solutions in Middle East
US Vice President JD Vance said the administration of President Donald Trump has empowered US negotiators to pursue a diplomatic solution to a wide range of issues during ongoing talks in Switzerland.
Speaking at a live press conference from the negotiations, Vance said the goal extends beyond immediate disputes.
“The question is whether we can change relations in the Middle East permanently,” he added, highlighting the broader ambition behind the discussions.
US-Iran direct meeting held with Qatari mediation in Switzerland
US and Iranian negotiators held a meeting involving Qatari mediators, according to the US-based Axios website, citing a diplomatic source familiar with the talks.
The report said US Vice President JD Vance and other American negotiators met their Iranian counterparts at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland.
It added that the US aims for the first round of talks to conclude with an Iranian invitation for United Nations inspectors to visit nuclear sites that were previously struck by the US and ‘Israel’.
'Israel' will not withdraw from Lebanon, says defense minister
The 'Israeli' military “will not withdraw from the security zone” in Lebanon, according to 'Israel’s' defense minister, after a ceasefire agreement was announced between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
Israel Katz declared there is “no restriction” on soldiers “operating in Lebanon.”
“Our forces remain deployed in the security zone along the Yellow Line in Lebanon and operate from there against terrorists and terrorist infrastructure,” he said. “The ceasefire announced yesterday leaves the IDF in all of its positions within the security zone that protects the communities of northern Israel.”
Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan issue joint statement
Foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of reaching a swift conclusion to the next phase of ongoing negotiations.
The statement said the countries “stress the importance of quickly concluding the subsequent phase of negotiations” and highlighted the need for efforts to take into account the concerns of regional states.
‘Israeli’ army announces two combat deaths in south Lebanon
The ‘Israeli’ military announced the deaths of two soldiers during combat operations in southern Lebanon.
According to the military, Staff Sergeant Nave Habshoosh, 20, of the 52nd Battalion in the 401st Brigade, was killed during fighting in the area. Staff Sergeant Liav Kababia was also killed in the same incident.
