NPR News: 06-21-2026 6PM EDT

Dan Ronan· Host0:01

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump is threatening violence against Iran. He warns its proxies must stop causing trouble in Lebanon. The threat comes as Vice President JD Vance negotiates a fragile peace plan with Iran in Switzerland. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

Luke Garrett0:20

Trump says U.S. forces will, quote, "hit Iran very hard again" if its proxies keep up the fighting in Lebanon. Earlier this week, Trump had called on Israel to, quote, "calm down." He pushed for a ceasefire between Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. This ongoing conflict threatens the recent U.S.-Iran peace plan. Meanwhile, Vice President Vance is seeking to build upon a recently signed memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. He spoke Sunday from Switzerland.

J.D. Vance· Soundbite0:48

The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together? Can we turn over a new leaf? Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently?

Luke Garrett0:56

Vance says his goals are to end Iran's nuclear program and keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Saturday, Iran said the strait was closed, but U.S. Central Command denied this. Luke Garrett, NPR News, the White House.

Dan Ronan· Host1:08

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is getting access to just over a hundred million dollars in emergency funding from the country's Infectious Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund. As NPR's Gabriella Emanuel reports, the money will help the agency respond to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of