NPR News: 06-20-2026 6PM EDT

Jeanine Herbst· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. There's confusion over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it's closed because Israel keeps attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon. But Vice President Vance says there's no evidence it's closed again. Vance is on his way to Switzerland for talks with Iran over the ceasefire deal. Pakistan and Qatar are moderating those talks. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon overnight killed at least 16 people, despite the US-brokered ceasefire agreed to by Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah yesterday. NPR's Jawad Rizqallah has more.

Jawad Rizqallah0:35

The Lebanese army, in announcing the soldier's death, said Israel's attacks were aimed at obstructing efforts to restore stability in Lebanon. The Lebanese army has been tasked by the US with replacing Hezbollah, the militant group Israel is fighting. A Hezbollah politician, member of parliament Hassan Fadlallah, said the group reserves the right to confront Israeli forces advancing further into Lebanon. He rejected claims Hezbollah violated the ceasefire, saying its fighters were responding to an Israeli attempt to seize Ali Al-Tahir, a strategic hilltop. Israel has made clear it will not withdraw its forces from border areas and has been pushing beyond those further into Lebanon. Jawad Rizqallah, NPR News, Beirut.

Jeanine Herbst· Host1:14

Meanwhile, the fighting is raising new questions about the future of US diplomacy in the region and whether the tentative agreement between the US and Iran can hold. NPR's Ron Elving says there's a lot at stake.

Ron Elving1:24

There's the fragile ceasefire that may or may not be holding