LiveLive Updates June 20, 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 20, 2026UpdatesTrump escalates feud with Italian PM over Iran, G7 summitU.S. President Donald Trump speaks to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. Credit: ITALIAN PRIME MINISTRY HANDOUT/ REUTERSU.S. President Donald Trump speaks to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. Credit: ITALIAN PRIME MINISTRY HANDOUT/ REUTERSU.S. President Donald Trump accused Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of refusing to support U.S. military action against Iran and later trying to repair ties with him for political gain.In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Italy would not allow the United States to use its airfields during the Iran campaign and repeated his assertion that the Italian leader repeatedly sought a photograph with him at the G7 summit.Screenshot taken from U.S. President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social, on Saturday.Screenshot taken from U.S. President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social, on Saturday.The Italian prime minister rejected the claims, calling them "completely fabricated." She said that Trump's personal attacks were "senseless" and that her popularity does not depend on her relationship with the U.S. president.U.S. Central Command: Iran does not control Strait of HormuzA spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command said Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and that vessel traffic through the waterway continues to flow.The spokesperson added that U.S. forces are monitoring the situation to ensure maritime traffic continues uninterrupted, amid conflicting claims from Iranian military bodies that the strait has been closed.Israeli security source: Policy unchanged, IDF will continue responding to Hezbollah violationsAn Israeli security source said Israel's policy remains unchanged and that the IDF will continue acting against threats and Hezbollah cease-fire violations.The source said any violations would be met with a forceful response, noting that over the past two days the military struck more than 300 targets and killed about 100 Hezbollah operatives.According to the source, the Israeli military continues to hold a buffer zone in southern Lebanon and operates freely within the area to remove what it described as terrorist infrastructure.Later, a senior political official cited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying Israel will remain in the buffer zone for as long as necessary to protect its northern border and will continue to respond forcefully to any future Hezbollah attacks.RECAP: Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed to vessel traffic due to Israel's attacks on Lebanon; VP Vance says Iran talks could continue on SundayHere are Saturday's latest updates from the U.S.-Iran peace process and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ Iran's top joint military command said the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to vessel traffic, citing what they described as U.S. violations of cease-fire commitments and continued Israeli actions in Lebanon.■ Vance says U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are on the ground for Iran talks, and negotiations could continue on Sunday; no evidence Tehran is closing Hormuz Strait.■ U.S. military says commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased, 55 ships transited strait Saturday.■ Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said technical-level talks on implementing the Islamabad memorandum of understanding will be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday.■ Pakistan's ‌Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ⁠departed ⁠for Tehran on Saturday for meetings with senior ‌Iranian officials, ‌Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.■ Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 23 and wound more than 20, after Hezbollah attacks on troops, Lebanese reports say. ■ Three Palestinians were attacked and injured by settlers while foraging for sage in the northern West Bank's Salfit area, according to reports.■ IDF strikes killed four people in Gaza City, including two children, in an attack on an apartment building, according to Palestinian reports in the Gaza Strip.U.S. military says Hormuz traffic increased, 55 ships transited strait SaturdayVessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Friday. Credit: Stringer/Reuters Vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Friday. Credit: Stringer/Reuters The U.S. military said commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased on June 20 as U.S. forces continued operating in the area to support freedom of navigation.According to the military, 55 merchant vessels carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil transited the waterway on Saturday. The statement comes as Iranian military bodies claim the strait has been closed to vessel traffic.The U.S. military added that its forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to and remain in full effect.Pakistan says U.S.-Iran talks to be held in Switzerland on SundayPakistan's Foreign Ministry said technical-level talks on implementing the Islamabad memorandum of understanding will be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday.The ministry said in a post on X that representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will take part in the discussions, and that Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as a mediator. Credit: Screenshot from the X account of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs 5 hours agoVance says U.S. officials on ground for Iran talks; no evidence Tehran is closing Hormuz StraitU.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Thursday. Credit: AFP/KEN CEDENOU.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Thursday. Credit: AFP/KEN CEDENOU.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are on the ground working through technical aspects of talks related to the U.S.-Iran agreement. He said negotiations could continue on Sunday and that scheduling remains fluid pending the arrival of representatives from Iran, Qatar and Pakistan.Vance said "things are going well" and that he expects to travel to Switzerland in the coming days. He added that he is confident the cease-fire can be maintained and that Washington intends to give negotiations a chance.President Donald Trump's top priorities include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, Vance said, adding that the goal is to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its nuclear program.He also said the United States has seen no evidence that Iran is closing the Strait of Hormuz, despite statements from Iranian military bodies claiming the waterway had been shut in response to alleged U.S. and Israeli violations of the cease-fire agreement.Iranian military, navy say Strait of Hormuz closed over alleged cease-fire violationsIran's top joint military command said the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to vessel traffic, citing what they described as U.S. violations of cease-fire commitments and continued Israeli actions in Lebanon.According to Iran's Mehr news agency, the military command said the move was taken in response to a "clear breach of trust" and violations of the first clause of the cease-fire memorandum of understanding. It described the closure as a "first step" and warned that further measures could follow if what it called "aggression" continues.The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy echoed the military's comments later, saying the strait is closed to all vessels and warned ships not to approach the waterway, saying their security would otherwise be at risk.Read the full articleIran to send delegation to Switzerland to follow up on U.S.-Iran agreement, state media reportsIran is sending a delegation to Switzerland to follow up on the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding on Saturday afternoon, Fars news agency reported, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.Baghaei said Tehran will use upcoming talks in Switzerland to demand implementation of U.S. commitments and determine how Washington intends to fulfill them, according to Fars.According to Fars, Baghaei said Iran has adhered to its commitments under the agreement and argued that the United States is obligated to ensure Israel halts its attacks in Lebanon. Rescue workers carry a victim that was found under the rubble of destroyed buildings that were hit in an Israeli airstrike in Qannarit village, southern Lebanon, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) Credit: Mohammed Zaatari,AP Rescue workers carry a victim that was found under the rubble of destroyed buildings that were hit in an Israeli airstrike in Qannarit village, southern Lebanon, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) Credit: Mohammed Zaatari,AP The spokesperson reportedly warned that the broader understanding could be "in trouble" if some commitments are not carried out and said the other side must take the necessary steps as soon as possible. He added that Iran's approach is based on "commitment for commitment" and that Tehran will take what it described as necessary measures if the other side fails to uphold its obligations.In the NewsIDF Names Two Israeli Soldiers Killed in Separate Southern Lebanon IncidentsHundreds Protest Against Netanyahu Gov't as Police Enforce Shabbat Ban on NoiseIran Says Strait of Hormuz Closed Over U.S. Violations, IDF Strikes in LebanonThe IDF's Russian Roulette in Lebanon Continues – and No One Can Explain WhyFirst Suspected Ebola Case in Israel Transferred to IsolationRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIHumiliated by Trump on the Iran Front, Netanyahu May Set the Middle East AblazeIsrael Is Conducting a Systematic Campaign of Ethnic Cleansing in the West Bank'Once-in-a-lifetime Discovery': 1,700-year-old Roman Busts Found in IsraelTrump and Netanyahu Hurtling Toward a Rupture That Could Shock U.S.-Israel TiesNetanyahu's Mouthpieces Turn on Trump, Revealing a Deeper Israeli IngratitudeIsrael Is Bleeding Support in U.S. and Pouring Tens of Millions to Change That