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'Good progress' on keeping Strait of Hormuz open, US diplomat tells Axios media
Iranian delegation leaves as four-way talks in Switzerland conclude, Iran press TV says
Mourners gather in Beirut to pay respects to Lebanese conservationist killed after Israeli strike
Mourners gathered Sunday in Beirut to pay their respects to a much-loved Lebanese conservationist who died after succumbing to wounds sustained in an Israeli strike on her home on the country’s southern coast.
Mona Khalil, who spent more than two decades protecting sea turtles along Lebanon’s coastline, was critically injured in the strike on her home in the village of Mansouri earlier this month and died of her wounds Friday. She was 76.
The Orange House, which Khalil helped build into a small conservation hub and ecotourism site in Mansouri, became a refuge for endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles and a training ground for volunteers documenting nesting activity along the coast.
News of her death triggered an outpouring of grief among environmentalists and those who volunteered and worked with her over the years.
Mona Khalil, a Lebanese conservationist who died on Friday after being wounded in an Israeli strike on her home on Lebanon's southern coast, gestures during a event of releasing baby sea turtles in Mansouri village near Tyre city, south Lebanon, July 31, 2019. Photo: AP /Hussein Malla)
Israel lifts all war-related restrictions on northern border areas
Israel on Sunday announced the lifting of all restrictions imposed on northern border areas as part of the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, after fighting wound down following a flare-up.
"Starting at 6:00 am on Monday, June 22, 2026, all restrictions will be lifted in the Confrontation Line area," the Israeli military said, adding that the border communities "will move to a full activity level, with no restrictions, instead of a partial activity level".
Iran delegation left talks venue after Trump threat, state media reports
The Iranian delegation on Sunday left the venue of talks with the United States seeking to permanently end the Middle East war, after President Donald Trump threatened to strike the Islamic republic.
"The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, after meeting with the Qatari delegation as one of the mediating parties, left the building where the negotiations were being held," Iran's state news agency IRNA said.
"At the same time as the talks began in Switzerland, Donald Trump published a message on X in which he repeated his threats and remarks against Iran," it added.
Talks enter 'difficult phase' after 'insulting' statement by Trump, Iran state media reports
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency suggested that talks have “entered a difficult phase” after what it described as an “insulting” statement by Trump. It did not specify the statement. Trump made multiple provocative warnings to Iran on Sunday, including to “hit Iran very hard again.”
An official with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press that the Iranian delegation remains engaged in the talks and has not indicated to mediators any intention to leave. The official requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.
Sanctions waivers for Iranian oil to be issued soon, says Iranian negotiator
A draft has been finalized regarding sanctions waivers for Iranian oil, a member of Iran's team negotiating with the U.S. told state media on Sunday.
- Trump threatens fresh strikes on Iran if it does not stop its 'proxies in Lebanon'
- Vance hails 'historic meeting', at start of US-Iran talks in Switzerland
- Iran state media says nuclear programme not discussed in US talks
- Israel PM says troops to stay in south Lebanon 'as long as necessary'
- Strait of Hormuz remains closed, military source tells Iran's Fars news
French foreign minister to meet Qatari PM in Switzerland on Monday
French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot will meet the Prime Minister of Qatar on Monday in Switzerland where the United States and Iran are holding talks, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
Iran warns US to 'be careful' after Trump threat
Over 25 million barrels of Iranian oil passed blockade since Monday, says Iran national oil company
More than 25 million barrels of Iranian oil have passed through the virtual blockade line since Monday, the head of the Iranian National Oil Company Hamid Bovard told state TV on Sunday.
FRANCE 24 analysis: US-Iran talks to focus on nuclear programme and ceasefire
FRANCE 24's international affairs editor Kethevane Gorjestani has this analysis on the US-Iran talks in Switzerland.
Iran state media says nuclear programme not discussed in US talks
Iranian state television reported on Sunday a pause in the US-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland, and said that the Islamic republic's nuclear programme had not been discussed.
"No negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear programme took place during the 80-minute first round of talks," the state broadcaster said, adding that the focus had been on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, and the situation in Lebanon.
Up to 20,000 sailors remain trapped on ships in Strait of Hormuz
Up to 20,000 sailors remain trapped on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which is being kept shut today by Iranians, as negotiations are under way in Switzerland between delegations from the US and Iran to finalise an interim agreement that would effectively reopen the strait to all vessels.
FRANCE 24 spoke to Phil Belcher, the marine director at International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko), for his analysis.
Hezbollah chief rejects any Israeli security zone in Lebanon
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Sunday rejected any Israeli security zone in Lebanon, after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed his troops would remain in the country's south for as long as necessary.
Israeli troops "remaining on Lebanese land is impossible. There are no security zones for Israel... we have a national army which deploys, and it is responsible for preserving sovereignty, and it is who we cooperate with," Qassem said in a televised address, adding that "Israel is an aggressor and must leave."
Israel PM says troops to stay in south Lebanon 'as long as necessary'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday the military would continue to occupy the "security zone" in southern Lebanon along the Israeli border for "as long as necessary".
"We established a security zone in Lebanon, and we shall keep it as long as is necessary to protect our people," he told a conference in Jerusalem.
UKMTO receives report of tanker incident southeast of Al-shihr, Yemen
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday that a tanker reported being approached by a skiff carrying five armed individuals about 50 nautical miles southeast of Al-Shihr, Yemen.
The armed people appeared to be attempting to board the vessel, prompting the tanker to conduct evasive manoeuvres and alter course away from the skiff, UKMTO said.
The vessel has since resumed its voyage to its next port of call, with both the ship and crew reported safe, while authorities investigate the incident.
Israel army chief in south Lebanon, says Hezbollah in 'difficult position'
Israel's military chief said on Sunday that Hezbollah had suffered a severe blow fighting Israeli forces and was now in a "very difficult position", as he met with troops in southern Lebanon.
"Hezbollah has suffered a severe and significant blow, and we are committed to remaining prepared to continue operating and prevent its rebuilding," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said, according to a military statement. "Hezbollah is in a very difficult position."
Trump threatens fresh strikes on Iran if it does not stop its 'proxies in Lebanon'
US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to strike Iran if it did not "immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble." as peace talks started in Switzerland.
Trump was referring to Hezbollah, which joined the Middle East war with attacks on Israel. Clashes in recent days between the two have threatened to derail the US-Iran preliminary peace deal.
If they don't, we'll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Yesterday's key developments:
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US President Donald Trump warned that the US could slap tolls on the Strait of Hormuz if negotiators failed to finalise a deal to end the war in Iran.
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Iran's negotiating team left for Switzerland for discussions on the implementation of the agreement signed between it and the United States to halt the Mideast war.
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Iran’s joint military command said that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and US “bad faith” and “its clear breach of its commitments” by failing to end the war.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)
