Iran-US war latest: Trump says Tehran is ‘finished’ after Swiss peace talks called off

The anticipated talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland were abruptly called off at the 11th hour on Friday, clouding prospects for a lasting truce as a major escalation in Lebanon threatened the tenuous agreement to end the war The Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement shared with The Independent that planned talks later today between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been “postponed” “Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Bürgenstock is continuing. No further information can be provided at present,” they said The announcement came hours after the White House confirmed vice president JD Vance would not be travelling to Switzerland, where he had been expected to meet Iranian negotiations to start discussions on implementing the 14-point memorandum The new deal is supposed to end the war on all fronts and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to pave the way for 60 days of talks on lingering disputes around Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions. But continued fighting in Lebanon threatens the agreement At least 18 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Friday, Lebanon's health ministry said, while the Israeli military said four soldiers were killed in one of the deadliest single incidents since the latest escalation began As Donald Trump faces pressure over the terms of the agreement, he told Axios that there are “no limits” to his power and cast the deal as the “unconditional surrender” of Iran.Donald Trump continues to defend record on Iran against growing criticism Writing on Truth Social, Donald Trump again attacks his critics over his record on Iran He writes: “ The War has diminished Iran! It doesn’t, any longer, have an Air Force, a Navy, Antiaircraft Equipment, Radar, or practically anything else, and yet the Dumocrats say that Iran is better off now than it was four months ago “Can you imagine getting away with that??? How stupid can some people be??? President DJT” James Reynolds19 June 2026 14Recap: Switzerland ceremony 'postponed' at 11th hour The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed on Friday morning that the planned talks between the US and Iran have been “postponed” In a statement shared with The Independent, they say: “The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed “Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Bürgenstock is continuing. No further information can be provided at present.” James Reynolds19 June 2026 14US official says US and Iran worked on Lebanon ceasefire “Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official said on background, adding that negotiators for the U.S. and Qataris worked out the deal with help from Iran “We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire.” James Reynolds19 June 2026 13Hezbollah and Israel agree to new ceasefire, senior US official James Reynolds19 June 2026 13What next for Iran as Trump signs ‘disastrous’ deal to end the war The United States and Iran have signed an interim deal to end their war, setting the table for two months of talks aimed at resolving long-standing disputes President Donald Trump presented the agreement on Wednesday as a “major win” for the US, extending the ceasefire agreement in place since April so the two sides can address the ongoing issue of Iran’s nuclear programme US hawks and supporters of Israel have variously called the agreement “a catastrophic capitulation” to Iran and a “disaster” that achieves none of Trump’s original goals We look at the main obstacles to a more long-term peace and what happens now the documents have been signed James Reynolds19 June 2026 13IRGC 'set up cells in Iraq to conduct drone attacks' on Iran's neighbours: report Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) set up secretive cells in Iraq to conduct drone attacks on Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to a report A number of their members were drawn from Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of hardline Shi'ite factions with thousands of fighters. But the new groups operate outside its command structure, reporting directly to the IRGC, according to the sources The establishment of the new Iraqi cells, which has not previously been reported, reflects a shift in IRGC tactics aimed at preserving Iran's ability to project force across the region at a time when its armed proxy groups are greatly diminished and its own military and economic resources are depleted, the five militia commanders said Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25 (file) (AFP/Getty) James Reynolds19 June 2026 13US 'tells Iran that Israel will not escalate in Lebanon The United States has relayed to Iran that Israel will not further escalate its attacks in Lebanon, CNN reports, citing a source familiar with the matter After a day of heavy attacks in Lebanon following the deaths of four IDF soldiers overnight, the unnamed source told the US outlet: “Hezbollah violated the ceasefire. Israel has agreed to let it be, which was relayed to the Iranians, and it’s up to Hezbollah to stop.” Earlier today, a diplomat with knowledge of the matter told CNN that Iran has asked for guarantees that hostilities in Lebanon will cease before it restarts talks with the US in Switzerland Mediators are “currently working to resolve the issue,” they said, adding that the planned talks were “temporarily postponed following the Israeli strikes in Lebanon”, without saying when mediators expect a them to resume James Reynolds19 June 2026 12Hezbollah lawmaker says Iran told group talks with US hinge on comprehensive ceasefire He called on the Lebanese government to reject any direct negotiations with Israel while Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, and said Washington bore responsibility for ensuring Israel halted its attacks and implemented the terms of the agreement James Reynolds19 June 2026 12Far right Israeli minister says ‘all of Lebanon must burn’ after escalation with Hezbollah “For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn!” he wrote on social media, adding: “In the Middle East, you don’t win with measured responses and restraint - you need to go beserk. To obliterate.” James Reynolds19 June 2026 12‘Worst foreign policy blunder in decades’: Republicans turn on Trump over Iran deal The U.S. released the 14-point interim agreement on Wednesday as Trump signed the documents in Versailles, France. The terms included stopping the conflict and reopening the vital shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, but also financing Iran’s recovery with a $300bn fund and scrapping sanctions “Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” said Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy on Wednesday, referring to the former president Trump admires James Reynolds19 June 2026 12