live Vance delays Switzerland trip as Republicans blame Trump for Iran deal

Vance delays Switzerland trip as Republicans blame Trump for Iran deal
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., 18 June 2026.
Reuters

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has postponed a planned trip to Switzerland for Iran talks, as the White House said negotiations remain unpredictable. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump faces rare Republican criticism over the interim Iran deal, calling it “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades”.

⦿ 04:35 GMT | UPDATE

U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland called off, Swiss authorities say 

Reuters

Planned U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland on Friday will no longer take place, Swiss authorities said, after Vice President JD Vance withdrew from a scheduled trip to meet Iranian negotiators.

The White House said earlier that negotiations remain complex and unpredictable, but technical talks are expected to begin as soon as possible.

⦿ 04:20 GMT | UPDATE

ADNOC tells customers to resume crude loadings, report says

Reuters

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co has instructed customers to resume loading crude oil from its Das and Zirku island export terminals, according to a Bloomberg report.

The move is the latest sign of improving conditions for Gulf energy exports following efforts to restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

⦿ 03:33 GMT | UPDATE

Iran says fast-track measures in place for Hormuz shipping

Reuters

Iran said it will introduce fast-track authorisations for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz under the memorandum of understanding agreed with Washington.

Tehran added that mine-clearing operations would be carried out, while vessels have been advised to follow designated routes and schedules through the vital waterway.

⦿ 03:07 GMT | UPDATE

Pentagon needs $80bn to cover Iran war costs, report says

Reuters

The Pentagon needs about $80 billion to cover costs linked to the Iran war and other military expenses, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper said Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen Feinberg outlined the funding need in calls with lawmakers this week, as Congress presses the Trump administration for a full accounting of the conflict's cost.

⦿ 02:50 GMT | UPDATE

Iraq says oil output to recover gradually as exports resume

Reuters

Iraq's oilfields are ready to restart production, with output set to return gradually to previous levels, Oil Minister Basim Mohammed said.

The minister said crude exports from southern ports are resuming, although the pace of recovery will depend on the safe passage of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

⦿ 02:42 GMT | UPDATE

Republicans criticise Trump’s Iran deal

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump is facing rare pushback from fellow Republicans over his interim Iran agreement, with some lawmakers warning it gives Tehran too much in return for limited concessions.

Senator Bill Cassidy called it “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades”, while others questioned plans to ease sanctions and release frozen Iranian assets.

Trump dismissed the criticism, saying opponents were “jealous, bad people, or stupid”.

⦿ 02:38 GMT | UPDATE

Vance delays Switzerland trip for Iran talks

Reuters

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will not travel to Switzerland on Thursday night for planned talks on the next steps of a U.S.-Iran deal aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, the White House has said.

A White House spokesperson said the negotiations remain complex and unpredictable, adding: “As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight.”

The spokesperson said the administration still expects technical talks to begin “as soon as possible”.

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