🔴 LIVE | U.S.-Iran Talks in Switzerland: Lebanon at the Top of the Agenda

Middle East News Now dominates the regional agenda on Monday, June 22, 2026, as a new round of U.S.-Iran talks begins in Switzerland amid growing efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Lebanon and oversee the implementation of the memorandum of understanding.

Profile News continues to follow the latest political, diplomatic, and security developments in Lebanon, Iran, and across the region, as well as the impact of the Burgenstock talks on regional de-escalation efforts and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

📌 Previous coverage: Arabic | English

🔴 LIVE | Middle East News Now | U.S.-Iran Switzerland talks

🕒 Last updated: June 22, 2026 – 12:58 Beirut time

🔴 23:18 | Muscat — Ghalibaf: Coordination has been established for future meetings with U.S. Vice President JD Vance to follow up on the memorandum of understanding and resolve any disputes

🔴 23:16 | Muscat — Ghalibaf: Restrictions on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports have been temporarily lifted pending a final agreement

🔴 23:15 | Muscat — Ghalibaf: An emergency communication center will be established to address any incident related to the Strait of Hormuz

🔴 23:14 | Muscat — Ghalibaf: Iran and the United States reached understandings on safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

🔴 23:05 | Muscat — Ghalibaf: An agreement was reached to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets

🔴 23:03 | Washington — Trump: Released Iranian funds will be used exclusively for food purchases

🔴 23:02 | Washington — Trump: We are making good progress in negotiations with Iran

🔴 22:55 | Washington — Trump: The Strait of Hormuz is fully open and Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon

🔴 22:47 | Washington — U.S. official: American contacts with Lebanon and Israel are aimed at supporting the ceasefire and advancing negotiations

🔴 22:46 | Washington — U.S. official: A monitoring mechanism has been launched in Lebanon to provide accurate information on developments on the ground

🔴 22:05 | Muscat — Oman and Iran stress the importance of diplomacy in preserving regional security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz

🔴 21:44 | Muscat — Ghalibaf and Araghchi arrive for consultations on new arrangements governing the Strait of Hormuz

🔴 22:05 | Muscat — Oman and Iran stressed the importance of diplomacy in preserving regional security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

🔴 21:44 | Muscat — Iranian state television: Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman for consultations on new arrangements for managing the Strait of Hormuz

🔴 20:54 | Tehran — Iran’s Parliament Speaker: No military success can yield lasting gains without diplomacy

🔴 20:55 | Tehran — Iran’s Parliament Speaker: Negotiations are a form of struggle and an extension of it

🔴 20:38 | Burgenstock — U.S. Vice President: We are making progress in the technical negotiations

🔴 20:40 | Burgenstock — U.S. Vice President: Frozen Iranian assets will not be released unless progress is achieved in the negotiations

🔴 20:39 | Burgenstock — U.S. Vice President: We asked Qatar to help establish a mechanism to monitor how Iranian funds are used

🔴 20:02 | Washington — Trump: Iran will agree to comprehensive inspections to ensure long-term nuclear compliance

🔴 19:58 | Beirut — Lebanon’s Health Ministry: 4,175 people have been killed and 12,164 injured since March 2

🔴 19:55 | Tel Aviv — Israeli Defense Minister: The military will continue operating against what it describes as threats in Lebanon

🔴 18:11 | Beirut — Lebanese Foreign Minister: Extending state authority across all Lebanese territory requires that weapons remain exclusively in the hands of official institutions

🔴 18:10 | Beirut — Lebanese Foreign Minister: Lebanon has decided to move forward with a state-led negotiation process

🔴 14:54 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: We hope the diplomatic momentum will also help advance the establishment of a Palestinian state

🔴 14:53 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: We seek a unified Gulf Cooperation Council vision for a regional security framework that ensures stability

🔴 14:51 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: The parties agreed to establish a hotline to resolve disputes

🔴 14:50 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: Under the memorandum of understanding, Iran has committed to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz within 60 days

🔴 14:49 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: Our vision for the Strait of Hormuz is to keep it open and guarantee freedom of navigation

🔴 14:48 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: Qatar rejects any change to the status of the Strait of Hormuz compared with its pre-war situation

🔴 14:40 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: The killing of nearly 100 Lebanese people within days despite the ceasefire is unacceptable

🔴 14:38 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: The occupation of Lebanese territory must end and Lebanon’s sovereignty must be respected

🔴 14:35 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: Any escalation in Lebanon or elsewhere in the region will affect the negotiations

🔴 14:30 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: Together with Pakistan, we established a framework to protect and strengthen the negotiation process

🔴 14:24 | Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: The memorandum of understanding creates an institutional framework for negotiations and includes both political and technical elements

🔴 14:15 | U.S. Vice President JD Vance:

• We have established a mechanism to prevent confrontation regarding Lebanon in order to halt escalation.

• In our talks, we have established a mechanism for disengagement and de-escalation in Lebanon.

• Israel has the right to defend itself, but within a mechanism to prevent matters from getting out of control.

• We want secure protection for Israel, and at the same time, respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.

• Iran must restrain Hezbollah.

• We have made progress on the Lebanese file in Burgenstock compared to where things stood 24 hours ago.

• Talks with inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin today in Burgenstock.

• We hope to reach a final agreement and a lasting settlement, and we are focused on celebrating the progress achieved.

• The talks in Burgenstock continued despite some complaints, and we have made progress.

• We have established a mechanism for demining the Strait of Hormuz.

• We have made significant progress, but much still remains to be done.

• We have laid good foundations for a final agreement.

• Technical talks will continue throughout the week.

• We have made progress in the nuclear talks.

• The Iranians have agreed to invite international inspectors to their country, and this is a very important step.

• We have established a mechanism to avoid escalation and gunfire.

• We have established a mechanism to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

• There are inaccurate reports regarding Iranian assets.

• The situation in Lebanon will be a subject of ongoing discussion.

🔴 13:49 | Tasnim, citing the Iranian President’s office:

• Pezeshkian will visit Pakistan tomorrow.

🔴 12:58 | Iranian President:

• We entered the negotiations without making concessions.

• During the negotiations, we saw concessions from the other side regarding Lebanon, and we witnessed good breakthroughs.

🔴 12:44 | Lebanese President:

• We welcome any assistance to end the war, but we distinguish between assistance and interference in internal affairs.

• Our country is sovereign, and no one negotiates on its behalf.

🔴 12:40 | Chinese Foreign Minister:

• The implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. helps consolidate the ceasefire and opens new horizons for relations.

• We support Iran’s right to protect its sovereignty and security.

• We are ready to continue providing assistance and playing a constructive role in restoring peace and calm in the region.

🔴 12:35 | Kepler Maritime Navigation Data:

• 15 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since this morning.

🔴 12:31 | CNN, citing an Israeli source:

• Israel is considering announcing symbolic withdrawals from areas in southern Lebanon.

• The symbolic withdrawals would include the pullback of some forces from areas located along the Yellow Line.

• The announcement of the symbolic withdrawal comes as part of the upcoming talks in Washington this week.

🔴 12:30 | Smotrich to Israel’s Channel 7:

• Israel will remain in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah has not disarmed.

🔴 12:23 | Tasnim, citing the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran:

• Significant progress has been made in the release of Iran’s assets.

🔴 12:20 | Pakistani Prime Minister:

• The first meeting of the high-level committee within the framework of the memorandum of understanding concluded successfully.

• The first meeting of the high-level committee within the framework of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran concluded successfully.

• The discussions resulted in progress, including agreement on a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days.

• I commend the commitment of Washington and Tehran to constructive engagement, and I thank friendly countries for their support of this historic process.

• I specifically mention the sisterly state of Qatar for its decisive support in creating the necessary conditions for the launch of these negotiations.

• The discussions resulted in an agreement to establish a high-level committee for political oversight and to commence technical talks.

🔴 10:51 | Iranian Foreign Ministry:

• The joint statement by Pakistan and Qatar is of particular importance, and one of its most prominent elements is the formation of a supervisory committee to oversee the implementation of the memorandum of understanding.

• A mechanism will be established to follow up on the implementation of the first clause of the memorandum of understanding regarding Lebanon, and this carries significance.

• Technical committees will be formed to implement the provisions of the memorandum in accordance with Clause 12, and the technical delegations will continue their work.

• We discussed oil sales, the issuance of exemptions for its export, and the release of our funds, and measures have been taken to implement the procedures.

• The basis of our work to ensure the implementation of both sides’ commitments is commitment in return for commitment.

• The formation of working groups and the start of negotiations to reach an agreement are conditional on the implementation of Clauses 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of the memorandum.

🔴 10:44 | Iranian Foreign Ministry:

• The joint statement by Pakistan and Qatar is of particular importance, and one of its most prominent elements is the formation of a supervisory committee to oversee the implementation of the memorandum of understanding.

• A mechanism will be established to follow up on the implementation of the first clause of the memorandum of understanding regarding Lebanon, and this carries significance.

• Technical committees will be formed to implement the provisions of the memorandum in accordance with Clause 12, and the technical delegations will continue their work.

🔴 10:38 | Lebanese Presidency:

• Aoun discussed in a call with Vance, Kushner, and the Qatari Prime Minister the consolidation of the ceasefire and halting Israeli escalation.

• The call addressed the steps to be taken in this regard, including the possibility of forming a cell for this purpose.

🔴 10:25 | Iranian TV:

• The negotiating delegation, headed by Qalibaf, left Switzerland for Tehran after 18 hours of intensive negotiations.

🔴 00:40 | Iranian News Agency:

• The Iranian negotiating delegation is present in Burgenstock, and consultations and discussions are ongoing.

• The mediators are seeking to return the negotiations to their previous track.

🔴 22:06 | Israeli Broadcasting Corporation:

• The military will begin reducing its forces in southern Lebanon in the coming days, after completing most of its offensive missions.

🔴 21:38 | Netanyahu:

• We will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.

• I pledge that Iran will not possess nuclear weapons as long as I remain Prime Minister, whether an agreement is reached or not.

• We will reach an agreement with Lebanon once we eliminate the threat of Hezbollah, and I look forward to that.

🔴 21:23 | Israeli Army:

• The restrictions imposed on the home front in towns of the northern region will be lifted on Monday morning.

🔴 20:14 | Axios citing a diplomat:

• The Iranian delegation has not left and the talks are still ongoing.

🔴 19:50 | Iranian TV citing a member of the negotiating delegation:

• We discussed during today’s negotiations ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.

• We will not negotiate on other issues unless the war in Lebanon is ended.

• We discussed during today’s negotiations the issue of our frozen assets and arrangements for their release.

• We discussed the temporary exemption from oil sanctions and reached the final wording of a draft.

🔴 14:48 | Washington — Trump: Our country is doing very well, we have the strongest military in the world, and we are achieving unprecedented victories on all fronts

🔴 14:40 | Geneva — Joint statement by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: Diplomatic efforts must take into account the concerns of regional countries

🔴 14:38 | Geneva — Joint statement by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: We stress the importance of swiftly concluding the next phase of negotiations

🔴 14:25 | Burgenstock — Iranian state television: Iran, Qatar and the United States are discussing a comprehensive ceasefire and Iran’s frozen assets

🔴 14:20 | Damascus — Syrian Interior Ministry: A senior ISIS operative responsible for manufacturing explosive devices in eastern Syria has been arrested

🔴 14:19 | Doha — Qatari Foreign Ministry: We fully support all efforts aimed at ensuring the success of the negotiations and reaching a final agreement

🔴 14:17 | Doha — Qatari Foreign Ministry: We will continue working with Pakistan and all concerned parties to achieve the goals of the negotiations

🔴 14:13 | Doha — Qatari Foreign Ministry: Follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the memorandum of understanding ahead of a final agreement

🔴 14:13 | Doha — Qatari Foreign Ministry: Technical working groups have been formed to negotiate the provisions of a final agreement between Washington and Tehran

🔴 14:13 | Doha — Qatari Foreign Ministry: We hope the meetings will lead to a comprehensive agreement addressing all aspects of the memorandum of understanding

🔴 14:12 | Lucerne — Qatari Foreign Ministry: The Lake Lucerne summit and the first meeting between Washington and Tehran have begun with Qatari and Pakistani mediation

🔴 13:42 | Tel Aviv — Israeli Defense Minister: The ceasefire declaration keeps our forces at all positions within the security zone in Lebanon

🔴 13:41 | Tel Aviv — Israeli Defense Minister: There will be no restrictions preventing our forces from addressing threats in Lebanon

🔴 13:21 | Burgenstock — Iranian Foreign Ministry: We are determined to closely monitor the implementation of the other side’s commitments

🔴 13:02 | Lucerne — Swiss Foreign Minister: Switzerland’s relationship of trust with Iran remains at the service of diplomacy and peace in the Middle East

🔴 13:02 | Lucerne — Swiss Foreign Minister: We are providing a framework for dialogue at the Lake Lucerne summit

🔴 12:51 | Burgenstock: U.S. Vice President JD Vance holds talks with Pakistan’s prime minister and army chief

🔴 12:34 | Burgenstock — Grossi: Diplomacy must be given every possible chance to succeed at this critical moment

🔴 12:33 | Burgenstock — Grossi: I met the Swiss foreign minister to discuss developments regarding Iran and the IAEA’s central role

🔴 12:20 | Tehran — Iranian President: All branches of the armed forces support our current path and decisions were made unanimously by the Supreme National Security Council

🔴 12:04 | Tehran — Iranian Foreign Ministry: Israeli violations are the main focus of today’s talks

🔴 12:03 | Burgenstock — Diplomatic source: No confirmation yet on the participation of the IAEA director general in the talks

🔴 12:02 | Burgenstock — Diplomatic source: U.S.-Iran talks with Qatari and Pakistani mediation will begin at 1:00 p.m. local time

🔴 12:00 | Tehran — Iranian Foreign Ministry: Final negotiations depend on implementing five provisions, including ending the war on all fronts

🔴 11:38 | Tehran — Iranian Foreign Ministry: Today’s meeting reflects our seriousness about ensuring commitments are fulfilled

🔴 11:37 | Islamabad — Pakistan state television: Technical meetings in Switzerland may continue until Monday

🔴 11:37 | Burgenstock — Pakistan state television: Technical preparatory meetings have begun with participation from all four delegations

🔴 11:37 | Tehran — Iranian Foreign Ministry: Implementing any document is more important than merely signing it

🔴 11:28 | Burgenstock — Iranian Foreign Ministry: A second meeting will bring together Iran, the United States, Qatar and Pakistan

🔴 11:27 | Burgenstock — Iranian Foreign Ministry: Bilateral meetings will be held with Qatari and Pakistani delegations as mediators

🔴 11:26 | Burgenstock — Iranian Foreign Ministry: Talks will last one day and include morning and afternoon sessions

🔴 11:23 | Tehran — Iranian state television: Meetings with Qatar and Pakistan will discuss ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon

🔴 11:23 | Tehran — Iranian state television: Talks with Qatar and Pakistan will determine the format of the main meeting with the U.S. delegation

🔴 11:20 | Tehran — IRNA: Today’s meeting is part of efforts to follow up on implementing the memorandum of understanding with the United States

🔴 11:17 | Tehran — Iranian President: Washington demands that we not obtain nuclear weapons, and our late Supreme Leader repeatedly said we do not seek them

🔴 11:00 | Tehran — Iranian President: All provisions of the memorandum of understanding serve our interests and the benefits of these talks will soon become clear

🔴 10:53 | Bern — Swiss Foreign Ministry: Delegations from Iran, the United States and mediators have arrived ahead of the talks in Burgenstock

🔴 10:50 | Burgenstock — Iranian media: Iran’s foreign minister meets his Swiss counterpart

🔴 10:47 | Burgenstock — Financial Times: Mediators will discuss the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program after addressing Lebanon

🔴 10:45 | Burgenstock — Financial Times: Mediators will discuss a mechanism to monitor violations and preserve peace in Lebanon

🔴 10:38 | Jerusalem — Netanyahu: We will continue doing everything necessary to restore security for residents of the north

🔴 10:30 | Tel Aviv — Army Radio quoting Ben-Gvir: There should be no negotiations with the Lebanese government as long as Hezbollah is part of it

🔴 10:27 | Tehran — Iranian Interior Minister: Things are moving in the right direction

🔴 10:27 | Tehran — Iranian Interior Minister: Talks in Switzerland will resume to implement the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding

🔴 10:21 | Islamabad — Pakistan’s Interior Minister: Things are moving in the right direction and we hope the Switzerland meetings will produce positive results

🔴 10:05 | Islamabad — Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry: Our delegation will hold bilateral meetings to reaffirm our commitment to dialogue and a balanced approach

🔴 10:03 | Islamabad — Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry: The Switzerland talks are the first official engagement since the memorandum of understanding was signed

🔴 10:03 | Islamabad — Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry: Our delegation is participating in talks on implementing the Islamabad memorandum of understanding

🔴 09:24 | Gaza — Israeli military: We killed two Hamas and Islamic Jihad members in an operation in southern Gaza

🔴 07:42 | Tel Aviv — Israeli radio: Six soldiers, including a senior officer, have been killed and more than 20 wounded in Hezbollah attacks since last Thursday

🔴 07:20 | Zurich — U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrives in Switzerland for talks with Iran

🔴 06:35 | Washington — CNN: Lebanon will be the top issue in the emergency session added to the Switzerland talks

🔴 04:39 | Islamabad — Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry: The prime minister and army chief have departed for Switzerland to participate in the talks

🔴 03:34 | Washington — CBS News: An emergency session on Israel and Hezbollah has been added to the Washington-Tehran talks

🔴 00:50 | Doha — Al Jazeera Media Network calls on press freedom organizations to protect journalists in Gaza

🔴 00:49 | Doha — Al Jazeera Media Network: Israeli incitement campaigns against our journalists have continued since October 2023

🔴 00:48 | Doha — Al Jazeera Media Network condemns Israeli allegations related to the killing of cameraman Ahmed Washah

🔴 00:24 | Beirut — Lebanon’s Health Ministry: Seven people were killed and one injured in Israeli strikes on Sahmar and Rashidiyeh

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