US-Iran Switzerland talks called off as Israel-Hezbollah truce is revived

Jerusalem,UPDATED: Jun 19, 2026 19:20 IST

Talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland were called off on Friday after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, officials said, raising fresh questions over an initial agreement meant to end the war involving Iran. Later, Israel and the militant group agreed to renew their ceasefire, according to three officials.

Two regional officials and a US official said the renewed truce was mediated by Qatar, the US and Iran. The three officials were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Hezbollah did not immediately confirm that the ceasefire had taken effect, and Israel did not respond on the truce.

Iranian officials did not travel to Switzerland as planned, insisting that the fighting in Lebanon must stop before talks can take place, according to three regional officials and a fourth person familiar with the matter who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations. US Vice President JD Vance also postponed his trip. Overnight, Israel's military struck targets in southern and eastern Lebanon, while Hezbollah reported intense fighting. Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 21 people were killed, and Israel said four soldiers died.

The conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah remains the most precarious part of the Iran deal. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah signed the agreement, but it is meant to end their fighting. Iran has also signalled that it is willing to risk renewed war in the region for the sake of its interests in Lebanon and its most important regional ally. The interim deal has halted hostilities in Iran and the Gulf and reopened the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks and threats had all but stopped the flow of oil and natural gas through the waterway, creating a global energy crisis. Future talks are meant to bring about a permanent end to the conflict, including steps to restrict Iran's nuclear programme, the core issue over which Israel and the US went to war on February 28.

The Israeli military said four soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in an attack on a tank in a village near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh. It added that an explosive drone attack wounded five others. Israel then launched multiple strikes on what it called Hezbollah infrastructure sites in Nabatiyeh and other areas, accusing the group of "blatant ceasefire violations". Later, the military said it also struck targets in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, while Lebanese media reported that the village of Douris was hit.

"Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or on our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. Hezbollah acknowledged targeting Israeli tanks and said its attacks were in response to what it called Israel's own violation of the ceasefire. It said the attacks came after Israeli forces tried to reach the northern side of the Ali al-Taher hilltop, a strategic position overlooking Nabatiyeh that Israeli troops have been trying to capture.

Many people in southern Lebanon were forced to flee their villages. "The situation is lawless, we couldn't stay," said Mustafa Zain, who was travelling in a pickup truck with his six daughters. Beyond the fighting, Israel's occupation of large swathes of southern Lebanon remains a sticking point. Iran insists Israel must withdraw, but Netanyahu has said forces would remain in a "security zone" in southern Lebanon for as long as "Israel's security needs require it." Israel's actions have also created a rift with the US, with Trump becoming increasingly critical of Netanyahu, who is also facing growing criticism at home.

According to the person familiar with the White House and Iranian positions, Iranian officials balked at starting the talks with Vance in Switzerland because of the Israeli action in Lebanon. The person added that it was conveyed to Iran that Israel was ready to move on, and that it was up to Hezbollah to stop carrying out attacks. Earlier, the White House had blamed logistical issues when Vance put off his trip. Two other regional officials, also speaking on condition of anonymity about the closed-door talks, said Pakistan was "stunned" by Iran's decision not to go to the talks.

Oil tankers began moving freely through the Strait of Hormuz this week after months of being largely unable to use the critical channel. The US said more than 12.5 million barrels of oil passed through the waterway on Wednesday night. Even so, it is expected to take weeks or months for the normal flow of oil and gas to resume, even if traffic fully picks up. The interim deal says passage through the strait should be free for 60 days, as it was before the war. But the new Iranian authority overseeing the waterway issued guidance on Friday asking ships to register with it, signalling that Tehran is likely to start charging. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority said: "during the 60-day period, tariffs for security, safety and environmental services, as well as related Iranian insurance, will not be collected from shipowners and will be borne by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The discussions in Switzerland are expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran says the programme is peaceful, though the Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has highly enriched uranium that could be used to build multiple atomic bombs if it chose to do so. The talks are expected to be difficult. The 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump scrapped during his first term, took more than 18 months to negotiate. The interim deal gives negotiators 60 days to reach a nuclear agreement, though that period can be extended. It also offers incentives if Iran reaches a new agreement, including the eventual lifting of all international sanctions and a USD 300 billion fund for post-war reconstruction. Iran has already won some concessions. After the interim deal was signed, the US lifted its blockade of Iranian ports and is allowing Iran to sell its oil freely. The deal also says Iran's assets will be unfrozen, though it is not clear how quickly.

The renewed ceasefire comes as US-Iran talks remain on hold and several major issues remain unresolved, including fighting on the Israel-Lebanon front, Iran's nuclear programme and the terms governing movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

With PTI Inputs

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