JD Vance in Switzerland for Iran talks US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for talks with Iran. Vance said he expected to conduct a couple of days of peace talks with Iranian officials. Video footage showed him and his wife arriving in a convoy at Burgenstock in Switzerland early on Sunday morning.
Israel and the US are erasing Iran and Lebanon's ancient heritage Submitted by Belen Fernandez on Sun, 06/21/2026 - 09:00 The Taliban's 2001 bombing of the Bamiyan Buddhas was condemned worldwide, but the US and Israel's destruction of Tyre's ruins and other ancient sites barely registers Debris covers ancient stone pillar bases near the archaeological site of the Roman Baths in Tyre, south Lebanon, a day after Israeli air strikes on the city, on 8 June 2026 (AFP/Kawnat Haju) Off In early 2001, the Taliban blew up two giant Buddha statues in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan , which dated from the sixth century . The world erupted in outrage at the destruction of cultural heritage , and western media engaged in handwringing over the loss of statues that most people presumably had not known existed in the first place but were nonetheless symbolic of our "collective humanity". Philip T Reeker, deputy spokesman for the State Department of the United States , issued a press statement declaring the US to be "distressed and baffled" by the Taliban's decision to demolish the Buddhas and other ancient artefacts: "Deliberate destruction of statues and sculpture held as sacred by peoples of different faiths is incomprehensible.
Oil sector could become early test of US-Iran accord, minister says Iran's oil industry will serve as a major test of any future agreement between Tehran and Washington, Iraninan oil minister Mohsen Paknejad has said. According to the ministry's Shana news agency, Paknejad said that the sector would demonstrate whether Western countries remain committed to the spirit of a final peace agreement should one be reached. Paknejad said Iran's oil industry could offer significant investment opportunities to the global economy in a post-agreement environment.
Pakistan army chief arrives in Switzerland for US-Iran talks Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has arrived in Switzerland to take part in technical-level talks between the United States and Iran under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. According to reports from Burgenstock, where the negotiations are being held, Munir is expected to play a key role in discussions aimed at advancing implementation of the agreement. His arrival comes as US Vice President JD Vance, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and a delegation led by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi also gather in Switzerland for the talks.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The United States and Iran have opened a new round of high-level talks in Switzerland aimed at implementing their interim agreement and preventing renewed regional escalation. While both sides expressed support for diplomacy, tensions remain over Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, where competing claims underscored the fragility of the emerging deal. US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland for high-level negotiations with Iran, with Pakistan and Qatar helping facilitate the talks.
Video: Lebanese villagers describe life under Israeli control in Halta A report by Channel 4's foreign correspondent Secunder Kermani shows the reality of life in the southern Lebanese village of Halta under Israeli occupation. Israel has established a so-called 'Yellow Line', akin to that in Gaza, as it has expanded its invasion of Lebanon and placed large swathes of territory in the south under its control. Kermani spoke to residents of the village, including Ali Abdel Aal, whose son Mohammed was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers while he was out on the street observing an arrest.
Israeli attacks kill at least seven in Lebanon's Western Bekaa and Tyre At least seven people were killed in separate Israeli attacks in Lebanon's Western Bekaa and Tyre areas, according to reports carried by Lebanon's National News Agency. The agency, citing the Lebanese health ministry, said five people were killed in a raid on the town of Sohmor in Western Bekaa, including a child, a woman and two elderly people. In a separate incident, two Palestinian nationals were killed in the Rashidieh area of the Tyre district in southern Lebanon, according to the agency.
Iran coach criticises World Cup travel restrictions before Belgium match Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised what he described as increasingly difficult preparation conditions ahead of his team's World Cup match against Belgium, saying that "conditions have become even harder" than they were before Iran's opening game against New Zealand. Iran have been based in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament and have travelled into the United States for their Group G matches due to restrictions on their stay. Ghalenoei said the latest travel arrangements left his squad with less than 16 hours to prepare and reduced training time by half.
Video: Israel kills journalist Ahmed Wishah in Gaza two months after brother Al Jazeera journalist and cameraman Ahmed Wishah was killed in an Israeli air strike on the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, according to health officials. The attack reportedly killed three people, including Wishah, while other strikes across Gaza on the same day were said to have killed additional Palestinians, among them women and children. Wishah's death adds to the growing number of journalists killed during the war in Gaza.
US, Iranian and Pakistani delegations converge on Switzerland US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for technical-level talks with Iran, according to Reuters, marking the start of the next phase of negotiations aimed at implementing the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. Before departing, Vance said he hoped the discussions would produce progress on Iran's nuclear programme and efforts to strengthen the ceasefire in Lebanon, adding that "Israel and Lebanon want security". Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir are also travelling to Switzerland, while Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and a delegation led by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi have already arrived.
Video: Palestinians protest Israeli settlement expansion plans in West Bank Palestinians gathered in the Jabal Tarusa area of the occupied West Bank on Friday to protest Israeli plans to expand settlements near the city of Dura. Demonstrators held congregational Friday prayers at the site and voiced opposition to the project, which they say threatens to further isolate Palestinian communities from one another. "We came...
White House adviser says Iran invasion would be a ‘suicide mission’ David Sacks, a technology adviser to President Donald Trump, has defended the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, describing it as "a tremendous achievement" and arguing that diplomacy offers a better path than an expanded military conflict. Speaking on the All-In Podcast on Saturday, Sacks dismissed calls for escalation, saying that a ground invasion of Iran would be impractical given the country's size and could require as many as a million troops. Sacks warned that such an operation would be a "suicide mission" and urged policymakers to give the agreement an opportunity to succeed.
Lebanon conservation pioneer dies from injuries after Israeli strike Tributes have been paid to Lebanese marine ecologist Mona Khalil, who died on Friday from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike on her home in the southern village of al-Mansouri. Khalil was widely known for leading efforts to protect one of Lebanon's most important nesting sites for endangered sea turtles and for her environmental work along the country's coastline. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon described Khalil as "one of Lebanon's most dedicated environmental defenders and a tireless champion of sea turtle conservation".
Israel to hold positions in Lebanon while limiting operations, reports say Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz have instructed the military to remain in occupied Lebanese territory while largely refraining from further attacks, except in the area around Ali al-Taher near Nabatieh, where fighting has continued and Israeli troops have suffered casualties in recent days. According to the reports, Israel considers its current posture compatible with the ceasefire, maintaining that it will not expand operations unless Hezbollah targets its forces. Reports indicate a divergence between Washington, which is seeking to preserve the ceasefire and advance talks towards a broader agreement, and Israeli officials who remain critical of the memorandum of understanding and oppose withdrawing from occupied areas in Lebanon.
Iran submits proposal for SCO energy consortium to boost cooperation Iran has proposed the creation of an energy consortium among members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) aimed at improving coordination of energy supply and demand across the bloc. Iranian deputy energy minister Mostafa Rajabi said the proposal, including a draft statute for the consortium, was submitted to member states during a meeting of SCO energy ministers in Moscow and could be considered at the organisation's next leaders' summit. Rajabi also called for the synchronisation of electricity grids among SCO members as a way to address power shortages and strengthen regional energy cooperation.
New York Times says agreement opens dialogue but not final peace The New York Times has reported that while the interim agreement between the United States and Iran has been broadly welcomed internationally, governments remain cautious about its long-term prospects. In an analysis by Jim Tankersley, the newspaper said many world leaders view the accord as an important step towards reducing tensions rather than a definitive resolution of the crisis. According to the analysis, international reactions reflect a mixture of hope and concern.
Vance says US seeks advances in nuclear and Lebanon discussions US Vice President JD Vance said he hopes upcoming talks with Iran in Switzerland will produce progress on both Tehran's nuclear programme and efforts to strengthen the ceasefire in Lebanon. Speaking to reporters before departing for Switzerland, Vance said: "We hope to make progress on the nuclear issue and the ceasefire in Lebanon," adding that "Israel and Lebanon want security". Vance said the negotiations would last two days and described them as an opportunity to move the diplomatic process forward.
Democrats say Iran ceasefire agreement is 'already falling apart' Democratic lawmakers have continued to criticise President Donald Trump's handling of the war with Iran, arguing that the recently announced agreement with Tehran is already showing signs of strain. Congressman Johnny Olszewski of Maryland described the conflict as a "war of choice" and said the administration's approach had been a "disaster". In a post on X, Olszewski wrote: "The dressed up ceasefire masquerading as a 'deal' is already falling apart.
Netanyahu says Israeli army does more than any other to protect civilians Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the conduct of Israel's military, saying "no military takes more measures to minimise" civilian casualties than the Israeli armed forces and arguing that no country is "attacked by more propaganda than Israel". In a social media post, Netanyahu added: "Truth and Israel will prevail. " The remarks come amid growing international criticism of Israel's military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, including concerns raised by US President Donald Trump over the civilian toll.
Israeli soldier killed and 13 wounded in Lebanon attack An Israeli soldier was killed and 13 others were wounded in an attack in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to reports cited by The Times of Israel. The outlet said a barrage of rockets and a drone struck an Israeli military position in the Kfar Tebnit area, causing multiple casualties among troops involved in operations there. According to the report, the soldiers were taking part in an operation aimed at capturing what was described as a major underground Hezbollah facility beneath the Ali Taher Ridge.
