NPR News: 06-20-2026 12PM EDT

Nora Raum· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Raum. Vice President JD Vance says he expects to travel to Switzerland in the coming days for negotiations on Iran. Today, Tehran said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again because of the latest Israeli strikes on Lebanon. NPR's Franco Ordoñez reports Vance had a different take.

Franco Ordoñez0:20

Vice President Vance said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are already on the ground in Switzerland dealing with some of the technical elements of the negotiations. Vance claimed the ceasefire was going well and that the Strait of Hormuz was now opened. In an interview with Fox News, he dismissed reports that the Iranians had closed the strait in response to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. But he said there are still some challenges and dangers that needed to be addressed.

J.D. Vance· Soundbite0:50

No, we're not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz. There, it is gonna take some time to clear those mines, though.

Franco Ordoñez0:57

Vance said millions of barrels of oil had recently passed through the strait in the last couple of days. Franco Ordoñez, NPR News.

Nora Raum· Host1:06

European Union leaders are split over the initiative of a top bloc official to open a diplomatic channel to Moscow without consulting them. Terry Schultz reports the controversy dominated a summit of the 27 heads of state and government.

Terry Schultz1:21

European Council President António Costa defends his decision to direct his chief of staff to reach out to the Kremlin, despite not having the backing of the