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Headline Roundup June 21st, 2026

Vance Talks With Iran in Switzerland, Iran Says It Closed Hormuz Over Israel's Lebanon Campaign

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for direct talks with an Iranian delegation, as Israel has continued bombing Lebanon, and Iran reportedly claimed it closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The Talks: The talks were scheduled for Friday but canceled at the last minute as Israel and Hezbollah continued their hostilities against each other. The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday that outlined terms for an end to the war. Vance said he hopes to make progress on the "nuclear issue" and the "Lebanon ceasefire issue." The two nations have 60 days since the MOU's signing to settle on final terms.

RELATED: What's In The US-Iran Memorandum Of Understanding?

Lebanon: Israel has continued its military campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, as Israel's national security has called for the destruction of the entire country. Qatari outlet Al Jazeera (Lean Left bias) highlighted the most recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon in a headline before the talks, and reported there had been over 100 since midnight local time, which have killed "dozens." On Friday, Lebanon said Israeli strikes killed 47, and Israel said four of its soldiers were killed. The Wall Street Journal (Center) said Vance told reporters before boarding his flight to Switzerland, "Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better [in Lebanon], and things are slowing down a little bit." Article 1 of the MOU calls for the US, Iran, and "their allies in the current war" to "declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon."

Strait of Hormuz: According to Iranian media, Tehran said it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Many outlets across the spectrum noted this in headlines or coverage. Vance said he was "skeptical" of the reports; however, in a Saturday TV interview with Fox News (Right). Vance said, "I'm skeptical of that reporting, or at least of some of the conclusions that could be drawn from it." He added, "We got 16 million barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz in just the last 24 hours," and that the US government hasn't seen any evidence that the strait is being closed. Both ZeroHedge (Lean Right) and the Kremlin-funded RT (Lean Right) highlighted this in their coverage. Outlets across the spectrum framed whether the strait was closed differently. For instance, after highlighting US denials of the claim, Fox News published a headline for a video clip that said Iran "threatens" the strait. The Guardian (Left), on the other hand, said the strait "remains closed."

RELATED: Outlets Across Spectrum Highlight Skepticism Surrounding Interim US-Iran Peace Deal

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Featured Coverage of this Story

Israeli attacks kill dozens in Lebanon as US, Iran to hold talks on truce
News

Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed dozens of people despite a ceasefire being in place as the United States and Iran are expected to hold talks on ending their war and cementing the truce in Lebanon.

Follow-up talks between Iran ⁠and the US on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) they signed this week are to be held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, ‌on Sunday, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. US and Iranian representatives are to participate along with ⁠mediators from Pakistan ⁠and Qatar, it added.

Open on Al Jazeera
Vance Heads to Peace Talks, After Iran Says It Closed Strait of Hormuz
Vance Heads to Peace Talks, After Iran Says It Closed Strait of Hormuz

Elizabeth Frantz/PRESS Pool

News

Vice President JD Vance on Saturday headed to peace talks in Switzerland, signaling renewed efforts to keep an agreement signed earlier this week by President Trump on track after Iranian security officials said they had closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Open on Wall Street Journal (News)
Vance 'Skeptical' That Iran Closed Hormuz Strait Again, Pentagon Declares Safe Passage Remains 'Intact Today'
News

Vice President JD Vance has newly told Fox News that he's 'skeptical' of the morning reports and claims that the Iranians once again 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz. Watch:

Open on ZeroHedge

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