TL/DR –
The US and Iran have postponed a meeting meant to finalize a peace plan due to renewed violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The renewed conflict has caused energy prices to spike, threatened global economic chaos, and potentially damaged President Donald Trump’s efforts to extract the US from the Middle East war. Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to uphold their ceasefire following the violent outbreak, which included Hezbollah killing four Israeli soldiers and Israel responding with airstrikes that killed at least 47 people.
The US-Iran peace plan meeting in Switzerland was cancelled due to rising violence in Lebanon, leading to Israel and Hezbollah renewing their ceasefire. The delay in peace negotiations has caused energy prices to surge, threatening global economy and US’s efforts to withdraw from Middle East conflict.
Despite criticism from Republican allies, President Trump defended the deal with Iran, insisting Iran met out of desperation, not the US.
Israel and Hezbollah renew ceasefire post violence flareup
After 24 hours of severe violence, Israel and Hezbollah renewed their ceasefire in Lebanon.
Scheduled peace talks in Switzerland between Washington and Tehran were cancelled after Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers and Israel retaliated with airstrikes in southern Lebanon, resulting in 47 deaths.
US-Iran talks cancelled following Israel-Hezbollah deadly attacks
Plans to attend the Middle East peace summit were scrapped after the lethal exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel. The US Vice-President, leading the peace negotiations for the US, was due to fly to Switzerland for the summit.
Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and shipping movement in the Strait of Hormuz were expected to begin in two days post the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.
Trump unveils converted Qatari 747 Air Force One
President Trump showcased the new Air Force One, a converted Qatari 747, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The $400m gift from Qatar sparked political protest due to its exceeding the limit on unsolicited gifts from the same source.
Bill Pulte appointed US Acting Director of National Intelligence
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte became the Acting Director of National Intelligence, after President Trump shortened the tenure of the outgoing DNI, Tulsi Gabbard.
US ‘worse off’ post-Iran conflict, says Barack Obama
Barack Obama stated that the US is in a worse position following the war with Iran, as it has costed billions, strained the military and caused many lives.
DoJ investigates MLB amid Pride hats controversy
The US Justice Department initiated a civil rights investigation into Major League Baseball over a Pride Night controversy involving three San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their hats.
Trump agrees with comparison to historical figures
Donald Trump supported a public assessment made while golfing, that he is more powerful than historical figures like Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Stalin, Mao, and Hitler.
What else happened today:
Catching up? Here’s what happened on 18 June 2026.
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