Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli military strike in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel on June 19, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Lebanese authorities on Friday (June 19, 2026) reported 47 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, and Israel announced the deaths of four of its soldiers, the highest combined casualty count since the US and Iran struck their deal.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed a ceasefire on Friday, a U.S. official said, after deadly exchanges between the two sides in Lebanon once again put a deal to end the West Asia war under strain, less than two days after it was signed.
Also read: Israeli Minister says ‘all of Lebanon must burn’ after four soldiers killed
Talks between the U.S. and Iran were called off on Friday (June 19, 2026) after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, officials said, raising questions about an initial agreement to end the war in Iran. Israel and the militant group later agreed to a ceasefire, three officials said.
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June 20, 2026 08:30
U.S.-Iran peace talks postponed, clouding prospects for lasting truce
Switzerland said U.S. talks with Iranian negotiators on a pact to end the war in West Asia would not take place on Friday (June 19, 2026), while Vice President JD Vance dropped plans to travel there, fuelling uncertainty whether a lasting truce can be found.
U.S.-Iran talks planned for June 19 are off: Switzerland
U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland are canceled after Vice-President J.D. Vance withdraws from the trip.
Published - June 20, 2026 08:23 am IST
