Vance backs US-Iran deal as Washington ends blockade and Iran hails wartime gains. Published On 19 Jun 202619 Jun 2026United States Vice President JD Vance has delayed his planned trip to Switzerland to start a new round of peace talks with Iran following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, the White House has said.Vance earlier defended the agreement between Washington and Tehran amid criticism from US officials and Israel, saying the signing of an MoU has launched a 60-day negotiating period towards a final deal.Vance and his team were reportedly ready to leave for Switzerland on Thursday night, but the trip was cancelled at the last minute following Israeli bombing in southern Lebanon, killing at least three people, overnight.Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that there was no confirmation that Iranian negotiators would travel for talks, because they first wanted to see signs that the interim agreement, which includes Lebanon in the US-Iran ceasefire, was being implemented.The agreement, signed by the presidents of both countries, has been presented as a step towards ending months of conflict, though critics have questioned its terms, the number of questions it leaves unanswered and Tehran’s commitment to it.Here is what has happened:In Lebanon
Israeli attacks killed at least three in southern Lebanon: Lebanese state media said two people were killed in a drone attack near Kfar Tebnit and another in a separate attack in Zabadin, a day after the US and Iran signed an interim agreement calling for an end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Hezbollah said it had repelled a four-day Israeli offensive, while Israel faces growing pressure to halt attacks and withdraw its forces under the terms of the agreement.
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US lifts naval blockade of Iran: The US military said it had ended its naval blockade of Iranian ports as part of the agreement with Tehran to suspend military operations during negotiations. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said all blockade enforcement efforts hav …
