NPR News: 06-20-2026 8PM EDT

Jeanine Herbst· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. There's uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it's closed because Israel keeps attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon, but Washington says there's no evidence it's closed again. Meanwhile, Vice President Vance is headed to Switzerland for critical talks with Iran that are scheduled for tomorrow. NPR's Shondelise Duster has more.

Shondelise Duster0:22

Vice President JD Vance departed the US for Switzerland Saturday afternoon for negotiations with Iran. Vance told reporters he is hopeful progress will be made on quote "the nuclear issue" end quote, and a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

Speaker 30:37

Marco and the entire team have been actively managing what's going on in Lebanon. Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better there. Things have calmed down a little bit.

Shondelise Duster0:46

At least 16 people, including civilians, were killed by Israeli strikes on Saturday, according to the Lebanese National News Agency. Israel says the strikes were a response to Hezbollah firing projectiles at its forces overnight. Shondelise Duster, NPR News.

Jeanine Herbst· Host1:01

Ukraine's President Zelensky says Ukrainian-made long-range drones struck a Russian oil refining facility in Siberia. The latest attack on oil, a pillar of the Russian economy. NPR's Joanna Kakissis reports Russia also continued its strikes on Ukrainian cities. The regional governor of the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia says Russian glide bombs hit apartment buildings there, killing and injuring civilians. Meanwhile, in his evening video address, Zelensky said Ukrainian defense