NPR News: 06-20-2026 5PM EDT

Jeanine Herbst· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Just now, Vice President Vance said he's traveling to Switzerland today for negotiations with Iran. This as Tehran says it closed the Strait of Hormuz because of Israel's continuing deadly attacks on Lebanon. And here's Franco Ordoñez has more.

Franco Ordoñez0:17

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· Soundbite0:47

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 Ordoñez0:54

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

Jeanine Herbst· Host1:03

European Union leaders are split over a top bloc official opening a diplomatic channel to Moscow without consulting them. Terry Schultz has more.

Terry Schultz1:12

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 twenty-seven EU governments he represents.

António Costa· Soundbite1:22

What I'm doing, through my office, is to establish a diplomatic channel because we cannot