War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot will meet the Prime Minister of Qatar in Switzerland on Monday, where the United States and Iran are holding talks, Reuters reports citing Paris’ foreign ministry.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has blamed US President Donald Trump for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, calling for the vital waterway to be reopened, AFP reports.

“Ultimately, the cork in the bottle neck of the Strait of Hormuz was pushed in by Donald Trump, not by us, but we have an interest in getting it out again,” Pistorius says in an interview with broadcaster ARD.

“The opening of the Strait of Hormuz, or rather safe passage through it, is in Europe’s interest, in the interest of our energy supply and our economic recovery,” Pistorius states, adding that any agreement to reopen the strait will need the support of Iran and Oman.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for oil and gas shipments, was effectively blockaded during the hostilities that began on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Tehran had agreed to reopen it under a preliminary accord signed by Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, and shipping traffic had begun to recover.

But Iran on Saturday said it was once again closing the vital waterway over Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Iran’s parliament speaker and head negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has dismissed US threats, saying Tehran is prepared to respond if necessary, Al Jazeera reports.

“Don’t they think to themselves that if their threats had any effect, they wouldn’t have reached the point of desperation they are in today? We don’t count on the American threats,” Ghalibaf has posted on X. “They [had] better be careful with their comments, our armed forces are ready to respond in a different way. Whatever they say, we are the ones who will act.”

Bilateral talks between the Iranian and Qatari delegations in Switzerland have begun following the conclusion of the first round of US-Iran negotiations, Al Jazeera reports citing Iranian state media.

Over 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 tells state TV, Reuters reports.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has departed Cairo for Islamabad after the R4 foreign ministers’ meeting, the Foreign Office says.

“En route to Islamabad, he will make a short transit stop in Medina before continuing his journey to Pakistan,” it adds in a post on X.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the Foreign Office (FO) says in a statement.

“DPM/FM, together with foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, made a joint call on HE Mr Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt,” the statement reads, adding that Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “further strengthening its longstanding, brotherly and multifaceted relations with Egypt”.

“DPM/FM also welcomed President Al-Sisi’s acceptance of the prime minister’s invitation to visit Pakistan at an earliest convenient date,” the FO adds.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says 67 ships went through the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours, similar to traffic before the war began in terms of oil and petroleum products, Al Jazeera reports.

Wright tells Fox News that Iran has not yet “de-mined” the strait’s central shipping channel, but the US has opened a separate route to the south and has been escorting ships through it.

Wright acknowledges some commercial shippers still have safety concerns.

Hezbollah has rejected the Lebanese government’s direct talks with the US, saying the negotiations will undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and serve Israeli interests, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, the group says the Lebanese delegation in Washington is being asked to sign off on US dictates that “confiscate Lebanon’s sovereignty” and align Beirut with those reconciling with Israel.

The group says the talks are based on a “flawed” premise and will lead to “capitulation” rather than serve Lebanese interests.

The government’s participation, the group says, “hinders confronting the enemy’s project, the resistance’s efforts on the ground, and the great sacrifices of our great people”, which it claims the state could leverage to press for a complete and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

The group adds that the government’s attendance increases risks to Lebanon’s stability and independence and amounts to “compliance with US and Israeli policy objectives”.

Al Jazeera’s Osama bin Javaid reports from Buergenstock that talks between the US and Iran are taking place in a “constructive atmosphere”.

“What we know is that this is going to be choreographed into multiple sessions, themed around the major sticking points,” he adds. “The first session was on Lebanon, and now a session on the Strait of Hormuz and a third session on the nuclear issue and sanctions on Iran.”

Bin Javaid says he has spoken to “a number of sources” and witnessed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speak to Qatar’s prime minister before walking out.

“As soon as journalists were cleared from the room, the Iranian delegation came back inside. It appears the Iranians did not want to appear in front of the media,” bin Javaid reports.

“What we’ve heard is that the talks are carrying on in a constructive atmosphere, despite the tweets you’ve seen in the last hour or so from the US president. It is the first day, the first step toward these high-profile meetings. The first session is over, but all four teams are back in their rooms, and they’ll continue throughout the day.”

Multiple Iranian media outlets are reporting that quadrilateral negotiations between the US and Iran — mediated by Pakistan and Qatar — have paused, allowing delegations to hold internal consultations.

The pause comes roughly 80 minutes into the talks, according to reports by Iranian media outlets Fars and Press TV.

Al Jazeera also reported the pause in talks, citing Fars.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on the sidelines of the Lake Lucerne summit in Buergenstock, according to a post by the latter on X.

“As a country that places great importance on mediation, dialogue and good offices, Switzerland values Pakistan’s important role in supporting continued discussions on the implementation of the agreed US-Iran MoU,” Cassis writes. “I reaffirmed Switzerland’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at de-escalation, regional stability and lasting peace.”

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reports that the country’s nuclear programme did not come up during talks with the US in Switzerland.

“The discussions focused on implementing the Islamabad agreement, with priority given to the issue of Lebanon,” the broadcaster adds in a post on X.

Iraq plans to restore crude oil production gradually to the between 4.2 and 4.3 million barrels per day, Reuters reports citing Iraq’s deputy oil minister for upstream affairs.

The proposed increases will restore output to levels achieved before the Iran war and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon “as long as necessary”, while also vowing to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, AFP reports.

“We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the cherished residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel … Nothing will alter that commitment,” Netanyahu says.

“And with regard to Iran: whatever political developments may unfold, I will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. As long as I serve as prime minister of Israel, that will not happen. “

Iran’s negotiating team has refused a planned exchange of handshakes and a group photograph with the US team before talks began in Switzerland, according to Al Jazeera.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the refusal, citing an unnamed “source close to the negotiations”.

US officials and meeting organisers had arranged for a handshake and photo between the two sides at the start of the multilateral talks in Burgenstock. However, the head of the Iranian delegation opposed the plan, Tasnim says.

Following Iran’s refusal, a live TV broadcast and photo session proceeded without the Iranian delegation. The Iranians entered the venue only after the media event concluded. The US delegation requested a five-minute delay to allow journalists to leave the negotiation room before the talks began, the news report adds.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has met United States Vice President JD Vance on the sidelines of the quadripartite summit at Buergenstock.

“We exchanged [views] on the ongoing talks on the implementation of the US–Iran MoU and their importance for peace and stability in the Middle East. Starting these talks in Switzerland is an essential first step,” Cassis writes on X.

He notes that Switzerland enjoys trusted relations with both Washington and Tehran.

“I offered our good offices whenever they are needed,” Cassis adds. “Being useful in an unsettled world is the best way to contribute to stability and peace for and the world.”

At least 4,106 have been killed and 12,153 wounded since the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, Al Jazeera reports citing Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.

Among those killed were 383 women, 251 children, and 135 medical workers, it added.

The Regional 4 (R4) meeting in Cairo has welcomed the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, terming it a “constructive step towards de-escalation”.

According to a joint statement published by the Foreign Office (FO), the meeting “provided an opportunity for a thorough exchange of views on regional and international developments” and has reaffirmed the importance of continued consultation and coordination among Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia for stability and regional peace.

“On recent regional developments, the Ministers welcomed in particular the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran on 18 June 2026,” the statement reads.

“They viewed this important development as a constructive step towards de-escalation and towards ending a conflict which posed significant risks to regional security and stability, as well as to energy markets, international maritime routes, global supply chains, and international trade.”

The statement adds that attending ministers commended the efforts of regional and international actors that facilitated the signing of the MoU and emphasised the importance of the faithful implementation of the parties’ commitments.

“The ministers lauded the instrumental efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in reaching this historic outcome, along with the support extended by the State of Qatar to bring about a successful conclusion to the negotiations on the MoU,” the statement adds. :The Ministers also commended the continued and close coordination of Pakistan with them on this important issue.”

President Donald Trump has told Fox News that the United States may “take over” the Strait of Hormuz in the future “if they have to and collect tolls”.

Trump has described this as Washington being the “guardian angel” of the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East, Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, who spoke to the president, reports.

According to Trump, this would involve the US “taking 20 per cent of the oil that passes through the strait”, Yingst adds.

Israel’s military chief claims Hezbollah has suffered a severe blow fighting Israeli forces and is now in a “very difficult position”, as he meets 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 says, according to a military statement. “Hezbollah is in a very difficult position.”

Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir says that the ceasefire in Lebanon is fragile and that forces must maintain a high level of readiness for a possible resumption of combat operations, Reuters reports.

Speaking in southern Lebanon, Zamir says forces must be prepared to eliminate threats and transition rapidly to renewed operations if required.

Some south Lebanon residents have cautiously headed back to their hometowns on Sunday after fighting paused between Israel and Hezbollah the previous evening, even as Lebanon’s army warns locals to delay returns.

In the southern city of Nabatieh, AFP correspondents have seen just a few residents trickling back to inspect homes and businesses.

Mohammad Salloum said he had come back briefly to check on his shop but would return to the city of Sidon further north, where he has taken refuge.

“Nabatieh is disaster-stricken,” he tells AFP while inspecting the damage. But “God willing, the city will return to life within two or three months”.

Lebanon’s army on Sunday emphasised “the need for residents to delay their return to southern border villages and towns” and to comply with army instructions “to preserve their safety from the danger of Israeli violations and attacks”.