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.
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.
WATCH: Araghchi meets Swiss official ahead of key talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with the deputy head of the Swiss Federal Council in Switzerland ahead of upcoming high-level diplomatic talks involving the United States and Iran.
‘Israeli’ military launches drills amid Switzerland talks
The ‘Israeli’ military announced on Sunday the start of wide-ranging military exercises in the central city of Jaffa, as diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran continue in Switzerland.
According to a military statement, the exercises began on Sunday in areas surrounding Jaffa and are expected to continue until Tuesday morning.
The military said the drills will include intensified movement of security forces and military vehicles. It added that the exercises were pre-planned as part of its 2026 training program.
Iran president outlines more details of deal with US
Iran’s president has provided new details on a preliminary agreement with the United States, saying frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar will be returned as part of a broader understanding aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.
The remarks, carried by Tasnim news agency, add further detail to ongoing diplomatic contacts described by Tehran as “negotiations to end the war.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the arrangement includes the return of $6bn currently held in Qatar.
“All provisions of the memorandum of understanding are in our favour, and the achievements of these talks and negotiations will become evident,” he was quoted as saying.
He also suggested that Washington’s position had shifted in recent discussions, claiming that US President Donald Trump had recently framed certain restrictions on Iran as “rights of the people and the nation.”
“Our $6bn in Qatar will be returned,” Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian said the United States’ primary demand concerns Iran’s nuclear program, reiterating Tehran’s long-standing position that it does not seek nuclear weapons. He referenced a religious edict attributed to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“America’s only point is that we not have an atomic bomb,” he said. “We do not want an atomic bomb.”
He also said US officials requested written commitments, adding, “America said ‘write this down and sign’ – and we signed.”
The Iranian president also directed criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting he would be “the first to be unhappy with the negotiations” in Switzerland, a comment referencing tensions involving 'Israel'.
Iran says 'Israel’s' war on Lebanon "main topic" in US talks
Iran says the ongoing conflict in Lebanon between 'Israel' and Hezbollah will be one of the main issues discussed in talks with the United States in Switzerland.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in remarks shared by the state news agency IRNA that “the Zionist regime continues to violate its commitment in Lebanon,” adding that the situation will be a central topic in the negotiations.
Baghaei also said that discussions will include the release of frozen or restricted Iranian assets, along with measures related to granting licenses for Iranian oil exports.
The talks in Switzerland bring together US and Iranian delegations as part of ongoing efforts to implement a broader memorandum of understanding covering regional and economic issues.
Pakistan TV says preliminary technical talks begin in Switzerland
Pakistan’s state television reports that preliminary technical-level meetings have begun in Switzerland, with members of delegations from four participating sides taking part in the discussions.
Guard navy reportedly says no Hormuz passage permits being issued
The semi-official Fars news agency, citing unnamed “military sources,” reports that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy will not issue passage permits until further notice.
Iran, US, Qatar, Pakistan set for multi-party talks in Switzerland
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that a meeting will be held in Bürgenstock bringing together delegations from Iran, the United States, as well as representatives from Qatar and Pakistan.
He stated that the Swiss-hosted discussions will last one day and include two sessions, one in the morning and another in the evening.
Baghaei added that bilateral meetings will also take place with the Qatari and Pakistani delegations, which are acting as mediators in the talks.
Iran's Pezeshkian says MoU provisions serve Iran’s interests
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that all provisions of the memorandum of understanding under discussion are aligned with Iran’s interests.
He added that the gains from the ongoing negotiations will “become clear soon,” suggesting confidence in the outcomes of the diplomatic process.
Iran says Araghchi meets Swiss foreign minister in Bürgenstock
Iranian media report that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a meeting with his Swiss counterpart in the Bürgenstock resort, where ongoing diplomatic discussions are taking place.
The reports said the meeting occurred as part of broader engagements surrounding the multilateral talks hosted in Switzerland, involving Iran, the United States, and mediating parties.
