Israel and Hezbollah renew ceasefire after U.S. and Iran call off talks over fighting in Lebanon

By — ERIN CUNNINGHAM, Associated Press ERIN CUNNINGHAM, Associated Press By — Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Jon Gambrell, Associated Press By — Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/israel-and-hezbollah-renew-ceasefire-after-u-s-and-iran-call-off-talks-over-fighting-in-lebanon Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Israel and Hezbollah renew ceasefire after U.S. and Iran call off talks over fighting in Lebanon World Jun 19, 2026 10:31 AM EDT JERUSALEM (AP) — Talks between the U.S. and Iran were called off Friday after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, officials said, raising questions about an initial agreement to end the war in Iran. Israel and the militant group later agreed to renew their ceasefire, three officials said. Word of the ceasefire came from two regional officials and a U.S. official. The truce was mediated by Qatar, the U.S. and Iran, the regional officials said. The three officials were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Hezbollah did not immediately confirm that the ceasefire had gone into effect. Israel did not respond about the truce. Iranian officials didn't travel as planned to Switzerland, insisting that the fighting in Lebanon must stop before the talks can take place, according to three regional officials and a fourth person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations behind the scenes. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also postponed his trip. Israel's military struck targets in southern and eastern Lebanon overnight, and Hezbollah reported intense fighting. Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 21 people were killed, and Israel said four soldiers died. The conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group is the most precarious part of the Iran deal. Neither Israel nor the militant group signed the agreement — but it is supposed to end their fighting, and Iran has signaled its willingness to risk renewed war in the region for the sake of its interests in Lebanon and its most important regional ally. The interim deal has halted hostilities in Iran and the Gulf and reopened the Strait of Hormuz, after Iranian attacks and threats all but stopped the flow of oil and natural gas through the waterway, creating a global energy crisis. But future talks are supposed to bring about a permanent end to the conflict, including addressing how to restrict Iran's nuclear program — the core issue over which Israel and the U.S. went to war on Feb. 28. The fighting in Lebanon could unravel the deal The Israeli military said four soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in an attack on a tank in a village near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh. An explosive drone attack wounded another five, it added. Israel then launched multiple strikes against "Hezbo