LiveLive Updates June 19, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJune 19, 2026Updates3 hours agoWhite House: Vance not travelling to Switzerland for technical talks with Iran 'as of now'The White House says that Vice President Jordan Vance will not travel overnight to Switzerland, where preparation have been underway for "technical talks" between the United States and Iran over the recently signed memorandum of understanding.The White House's said that, "the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable," adding that Vance would not be travelling to Switzerland "as of now."The announcement came hours after a report that the Iranian team put off its own travel to the Friday meetings at the Buergenstock resort, citing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.Tehran reportedly warned that continuing Israeli military operations deeper than 10 kilometers inside Lebanon constitute a blatant violation of the newly signed framework agreement.3 hours agoTrump defends Iran strategy, warns further bombing risks 'worldwide depression'U.S. President Donald Trump hit back on Thursday at critics who argue he should have taken a harder line against Iran.In an appearance on The Axios Show, Trump said that, "The only way I can get tougher is if I go in there for another two or three weeks and continue to bomb the hell out of 'em. Right? But what does that get us? The Strait of Hormuz will not be open."The president added that, "We wouldn't have oil for months. As long as you're dropping bombs, that thing is automatically closed." He also warned that such this "is the kind of thing that could cause a worldwide depression."IDF: All-clear issued near Syria border after 'suspicious movement' turns out to be animalThe IDF has issued an all-clear near the Syria border after an investigation revealed that "suspicious movement" detected in the area was caused by an animal.The military had previously announced that the movement was identified in southern Syria, about 1 kilometer from the border with Israel, prompting forces to search the area in order to rule out a security incident.Trump envoy tells lawmakers Iran will invite UN nuclear watchdog to inspect its nuclear sitesInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, attends an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria last year. Credit: Michael Gruber,AP International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, attends an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria last year. Credit: Michael Gruber,AP Iran will invite the UN's nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites and begin work on identifying and uncovering the locations of Tehran's enriched material, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff told U.S. lawmakers Thursday in a private briefing.The briefing was described by two people familiar with the conversation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to share the closed-door details.Witkoff told congressional leadership and members of national security-related committees that the memorandum of understanding that the U.S. struck with Iran did not include any side deals, but a side letter was drafted between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency extending the invitation.Witkoff disclosed the existence of the letter and invitation in the briefing, according to the people.Witkoff said the letter to IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi would enable him to bring U.S. nuclear inspectors to Tehran.RECAP: Khamenei says he approved MOU, U.S. lifts its naval blockade on Iran Here are Friday's latest updates from the U.S.-Iran peace process and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ Iran's ⁠Supreme Leader ‌Mojtaba Khamenei said he had authorized a ⁠memorandum of understanding signed by the ⁠Iranian and U.S. presidents, despite holding a different view, after receiving assurances from President Masoud Pezeshkian. ■ U.S. Vice President JD Vance rebuked Israeli cabinet ministers critical of the emerging U.S.-Iran deal, saying they should not be "attacking the only powerful ally" Israel has left "in the entire world."■ The United States has lifted its naval blockade on Iran following U.S. President Donald Trump's orders, U.S. Central Command said.■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces will remain in the IDF-occupied buffer zone in southern Lebanon "so long as Israel's security needs require it."■ Three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, medical sources said. In Lebanon, three people were killed in Israeli strikes in the Nabatieh governorate, Lebanon's National News Agency said.■ Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Israel will cut ties with the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas over her reported equivalence of Israel and apartheid-era South Africa. 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