Live: Iran says it will never negotiate defensive ability

A Palestinian school girl has been killed in an Israeli attack on a vehicle in Gaza City, Wafa news agency is reporting, citing medical sources.

According to the sources, secondary school student Raghad Ashour was killed and others wounded in an Israeli air strike on Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood.

Some 1,021 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks on Gaza since the so-called ceasefire came into force on 11 October 2025. Another 3,249 people have been wounded and 784 bodies recovered from the rubble. 

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar has ruled out the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Lebanon "security zone".

He said in a post on X that Israel doesn't have "territorial ambitions in Lebanon", but that troops would "not withdraw from the security zone and expose our citizens to Hezbollah’s attacks and possible invasion".

Iranian media is reporting that Iran's negotiating team have left Switzerland following 18 hours of talks.

ISNA and Tasnim news agencies are reporting that the technical team will remain in Switzerland to continue technical negotiations on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

The Israeli military could be required to partially withdraw from the so-called yellow line in southern Lebanon as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, according to a report by Haaretz citing an Israeli source.

The report said Israeli and Lebanese representatives are expected to determine during talks this week which pilot areas would be transferred to the Lebanese army.

Under the reported plan, Lebanese forces would assume responsibility for those areas under close American supervision and would also take control of additional locations not currently held by Israeli troops. 

“Nabatieh is a disaster-stricken city but that's bearable compared to their [Israeli forces] presence on our land,” says Mohammad Sallum, a displaced resident who made a brief visit to inspect his damaged shop after Israel ordered its forces to halt fighting in southern Lebanon.

“The city will return to life within two or three months after this disaster, but the most important thing is that the Israelis leave our land,” he adds.

“Nabatieh is a disaster-stricken city but that's bearable compared to their [Israeli forces] presence on our land” says Mohammad Sallum, a displaced resident making a quick visit to inspect his damaged shop after Israel ordered its forces to halt fighting in southern Lebanon pic.twitter.com/sWXDzH2WFN

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 21, 2026

Good morning Middle East Eye readers,

US and Iranian negotiators made what mediators described as encouraging progress during high-level talks in Switzerland, agreeing on a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days.

While discussions advanced on sanctions, frozen assets and regional security, disputes over Lebanon and sharp rhetoric from both Washington and Tehran underscored the fragility of the diplomatic process.

Here are the latest updates: 

• Pakistan and Qatar said US and Iranian negotiators made encouraging progress during talks in Switzerland.

• Mediators announced a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement between Washington and Tehran within 60 days.

• The two sides agreed to establish a de-confliction mechanism intended to prevent renewed military operations in Lebanon.

• US Vice President JD Vance said the American delegation had been instructed to pursue diplomatic solutions on several outstanding issues.

• Iranian officials said implementation of commitments in Lebanon would be a key factor in determining the future of the agreement.

• Talks continued overnight despite reports that Iran briefly revised its participation following comments by President Donald Trump warning Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz.

• Tehran said progress had been made on sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian assets.

• Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group would not accept any ceasefire arrangement that allows Israel unrestricted military activity in Lebanon.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israeli forces would remain in designated security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.

• Israeli media reported the military could begin reducing troop levels in parts of southern Lebanon after completing most offensive operations.

Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, has warned Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon or risk what he described as a repeat of its withdrawal from the country in 2000.

In a social media post cited by Iranian state media, Qaani said Israel would face "humiliation and defeat" if it continued what he called its aggression and occupation in southern Lebanon.

"If you do not withdraw from southern Lebanon on your own feet, the epic of the year 2000 will be repeated once again, the same year you fled this land in disgrace," he said. "The choice is yours."

The remarks referenced Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, ending a military presence that had lasted 22 years. 

Former British Army officer Richard Kemp has come under fire after describing himself as "a goy, a mere goy" while delivering a speech extolling Israel and the Israeli military.

Speaking at a JNS event, Kemp declared that Jewish people were placed on Earth to be "a light unto nations" and made controversial claims that the Israeli military was showing the world how future wars should be fought.

Critics accused Kemp of glorifying Israel at a time when the country faces mounting international condemnation over its actions in Gaza, Lebanon and other neighbouring countries.

Former British Army officer Richard Kemp has come under fire after describing himself as "a goy, a mere goy" while delivering a speech extolling Israel and the Israeli military.

Speaking at a JNS event, Kemp declared that Jewish people were placed on Earth to be "a light unto… pic.twitter.com/CF8g3wsYXH

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 22, 2026

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has repeated his claim that the United States would not exist without Israel, defending remarks that previously drew attention and debate.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in West Jerusalem on 22 June, Huckabee said Western civilisation was founded on Jewish and Judeo-Christian principles.

"Without Israel, the United States would not exist," he said, adding: "Without that, there would be no United States. It's that simple." Huckabee acknowledged recent tensions in US-Israeli relations but argued that the relationship between the two countries remained enduring, describing it as an "unbreakable bond".  

US Vice President JD Vance said he had “two very, very important people” in his life, describing them as “an Indian and a Pakistani”, adding that “the Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir”.

He said he had spoken to Field Marshal Asim Munir “more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last 3 months”, crediting him as “a great military leader” and “great diplomat”, and calling him “an important part of getting us to this point” and “an amazing friend of the United States”.

The repeated contact comes amid ongoing US-Pakistan security and diplomatic engagement, including discussions linked to regional stability and broader Middle East tensions.

US Vice President JD Vance said he had “two very, very important people” in his life, describing them as “an Indian and a Pakistani”, adding that “the Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir”.

He said he had spoken to Field Marshal Asim Munir “more than I’ve… pic.twitter.com/YB6iUoEHST

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 22, 2026

Israeli defence minister Yisrael Katz has said Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, describing the site as a key component of what he called Israel's security zone along the northern frontier.

In a statement, Katz said: "Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort (Shaqif Castle), which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon."

He said that the strategic hilltop position serves as an important defensive point for communities in northern Israel and for Israeli forces deployed on the northern front. 

AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer Benyamin Ismail, said the Malaysian budget carrier has reduced fares by 5 percent since 15 June and plans to continue adjusting ticket prices as jet fuel costs decline.

Lingam said the US-Iran memorandum of understanding had brought welcome relief to the aviation sector, with fuel prices falling significantly from the highs reached during the conflict.

"The industry has been really affected by the rise in fuel prices. Hopefully, everything in the Middle East stays as it is today," he told reporters.

Singapore jet fuel was trading at about $112 a barrel on Friday, down from a peak of $242 on 30 March, though still above the pre-conflict level of around $80 a barrel.  

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf has praised the national football team's defensive performance in its World Cup draw against Belgium, comparing the display to Iranian people's steadfast defence of their country during the war against the United States and Israel.

In a post on X shortly after the match, Ghalibaf shared a photograph from the game with the caption: "This is how we protect our land."

The message drew a direct comparison between Iran's performance on the pitch and the country's response during the conflict.

Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand played a key role in the goalless draw, producing a series of saves to deny Belgium's attack, which included Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Iran's defence remained organised throughout the match, while Belgium's task became more difficult after defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off for fouling striker Mehdi Taremi.

This is how we protect our land pic.twitter.com/Y9x0OoE7Kb

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) June 21, 2026

The United States and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement, according to a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar following talks in Switzerland.

The mediators said a high-level committee has been established to provide political oversight of the process, while chief negotiators will regularly report to the body and oversee working groups focused on issues including Iran's nuclear programme, US sanctions and dispute resolution mechanisms.

The statement said the parties also agreed to establish a direct communication line concerning the Strait of Hormuz and a de-confliction cell tasked with supporting the end of military operations in Lebanon.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi described the negotiations as having achieved "major progress" towards ending the war in Lebanon.

He also said the United States had waived sanctions on Iranian oil exports, released some frozen Iranian assets and launched a major reconstruction and development initiative for Iran as part of the broader understanding between the two sides.

We welcome the convening of the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland today and the continuation of US-Iran talks. We thank Pakistan and all parties that contributed to this understanding and look forward to building on it. We also thank Switzerland for hosting the summit. pic.twitter.com/fYGA6NuUEf

— محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) June 21, 2026

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has linked a planned reduction in subsidised diesel prices to growing confidence that negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war could ease tensions in the Middle East and stabilise energy markets.

According to Malaysia's Star newspaper, Anwar said his government had decided to lower, rather than increase, subsidised diesel prices from next month despite global uncertainty.

He said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has played a key role in coordinating negotiations between the United States and Iran, had expressed confidence that the crisis in the Middle East could be eased.

"So far, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been coordinating much of the negotiations, told me that this time he is confident that the crisis in the Middle East can be eased. So this will help us in terms of diesel prices," Anwar said.