President Donald Trump has threatened to “take over” Iran after Tehran vowed to close the Strait of Hormuz following alleged US and Israeli ceasefire breaches while Vice President JD Vance is meeting with Iranian officials over an interim peace deal.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he had told Iranian officials: “You close the strait and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your f****** country, we’ll take over the rest of the country.”
The threats came as Vance formally launched negotiations with Tehran’s negotiators in Switzerland over Iran’s nuclear program and establishing long-term peace.
A senior US diplomat engaged in negotiations said the US team is expected to continue working through the night and plans to use Sunday’s talks to “work as a starting point for ongoing technical talks going forward.”
A joint statement from Pakistan and Qatar said negotiations have been “conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere” and “encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks.”
Read MoreIran national anthem loudly booed again at World Cup before Belgium game
Iran's challenges at World Cup swirl outside draw with Belgium
The Trump administration is angry with Netanyahu - but it won’t break with Israel’s far right
Key Points
- Trump tells Iran ‘we will take over your country’ if Strait of Hormuz is closed
- Trump returns to White House and trashes media coverage of Iran war
- Pakistan and Qatar say talks 'positive and constructive' after first session of high level negotiations
- Netanyahu will try and undermine Trump’s Iran peace plan: report
- Netanyahu says him and Trump 'often see eye to eye, but sometimes we don't
Trump tells Iran ‘we will take over your country’ if Strait of Hormuz is closed
06:50 , John BowdenDonald Trump threatened to “take over” Iran if the Strait of Hormuz was not immediately re-opened, the president told Fox News.
His latest round of threats came in response to news Saturday that Iran was once again closing the key waterway, just days after signing an agreement to ensure that traffic could flow through. Iran announced that it would close the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli forces continued an all-out assault into Lebanon aimed at dislodging Hezbollah militants.
Fox’s Trey Yingst reported Sunday that in an early morning phone call, the US president said he’d warned Iranian officials directly that "you close [the Strait of Hormuz] and you won't have a country.”
"You won't even make it back to your f***** country,” Yingst said the president claimed to have relayed to the Iranians, adding: “We'll take over the rest of the country."
Read the full story here:
Trump threatens to ‘take over’ Iran in profanity filled tirade: report
Who's who at the US-Iran talks in Switzerland?
06:30 , Adam WithnallThe chief negotiators in Switzerland for the US include JD Vance, the vice president; special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the president.
Iran is represented by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
It’s unclear when Vance will depart Switzerland, although he told Fox News in an interview on Saturday that he anticipated only staying for a “day or two”. Kushner and Witkoff are handling much of the technical details on behalf of the US delegation.
In a joint statement, Pakistan and Qatar said the high-level talks had ended on Sunday and that technical negotiations would continue in Switzerland for the rest of the week.
The statement said the sides had agreed to establish a “communication line” to ensure safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a mechanism to bring about an end to the fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The US offered no immediate comment, while Iran praised the meditators’ work. Araghchi wrote on X that the first “real test” of negotiations would be whether the mechanism succeeded in halting the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The senior US diplomat said among the issues discussed was Iran’s messaging as it related to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran’s military said it closed Saturday in response to continued fighting in Lebanon. US Central Command has disputed that Iran closed the strait again.
Swiss talks to resume despite Trump's insults threatening to derail process
05:45 , Adam WithnallNegotiators from the US and Iran are set to engage in a second day of talks today to agree a permanent end to their war, after a first day got off to a rocky start.
Mediators Qatar and Pakistan hailed what they called “encouraging progress” made during the talks. A senior US diplomat claimed progress on multiple fronts, including the establishment of “mechanisms” to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that a ceasefire in southern Lebanon holds.
Yet the first full day of talks was overshadowed by blistering statements from US president Donald Trump, who from thousands of miles away from the Swiss negotiating venue was firing off comments that offended the Iranians.
Iranian state media said talks had paused after the “publication of an insulting message by the US president.” The Iranian delegation then met with Qatari mediators and left the negotiating site, state media said. The senior US diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to brief journalists on the ongoing talks, said late on Sunday that the Iranians remained on site and the negotiations were still on.
Dozens hurt and 18 missing after explosion at Qatar LNG site
05:00 , Adam WithnallAt least 54 people were injured and another 18 were missing after an explosion at Qatar's core LNG processing site of Ras Laffan on Sunday, authorities said.
Qatar's Interior Ministry attributed the explosion to a "technical accident" and said there was no leak that posed a threat to public safety.
An incident during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City resulted in an explosion and fire at the Barzan local gas supply facility on Sunday evening, QatarEnergy said in a statement. Emergency response teams were deployed to contain the fire, which was now under control, it said.
Search operations have begun for the 18 missing people.
QatarEnergy did not indicate whether the explosion had caused any damage to the plant, which supplies gas to the domestic market.
A Reuters witness earlier reported that a loud boom was heard in the capital Doha, south of the Ras Laffan facility.
Democratic senator slams Iran deal
04:00 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Senator Cory Booker claimed Iran gets “all of the benefits” from the latest deal to end the war.
“When you have Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and progressives, all coming out talking about capitulation, surrender, catastrophe, you know how bad this deal is. Iran gets all of the benefits, literally billions and billions of dollars,” Booker said Sunday on NBC News’ Meet the Press.
“And America continues to hurt and see the losses from the $100 billion we’ve spent in the war to every American citizen seeing their costs skyrocket. This has been a cataclysmic failure of his making,” he added.
Netanyahu will try and undermine Trump’s Iran peace plan despite president’s warnings: report
03:00 , Maira ButtIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely try to undermine Donald Trump’s deal with Iran, U.S. intelligence officials have reportedly warned the administration.
Current and former U.S. officials told The Washington Post Netanyahu is intent on continuing operations in Lebanon despite an agreement signed by President Trump earlier this week.
The Israeli leader is facing intense political pressure to continue the conflict, that has run in parallel to the joint attacks on Iran he launched alongside the United States in February.
Keep reading:
Israel’s Netanyahu will try and undermine Trump’s fragile Iran peace plan: report
Pakistan and Qatar say talks 'positive and constructive' after first session of high level negotiations
02:47 , Alex WoodwardA joint statement from Pakistan and Qatar says negotiations have been “conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere” and “encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks.”
The statement followed a first day of “high level” talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with representatives from the U.S. — including Vice President JD Vance — and diplomats from Iran.
The group has so far agreed to the “establishment of a High Level group to ensure the effective implementation” the memorandum of understanding to end the war, which will act as a “roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks,” according to the statement.
An line of communication has been opened to “avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement says.
“The mediating parties will continue to do their utmost to ensure that the negotiations continue to be conducted in a constructive atmosphere with the aim of reaching a final deal,” the parties said.
🔊PR No: 1️⃣5️⃣1️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 22, 2026
Joint Statement by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Regarding the Conclusion of Lake Lucerne Summit, First High-Level Committee Meeting with Participation of the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran pic.twitter.com/2G3PAf7LVY
New poll reveals 92 per cent of Israelis believe Iran has won the war
02:00 , Maira ButtA new poll says 92 per cent of the Israeli public believe Iran has emerged the winner in the conflict with the US and Israel.
According to a new survey conducted by the Hebrew University and Agam Labs, the vast majority of the Israel population have a negative view of Donald Trump’s deal agreed this week between the US and Iran, which includes a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The poll suggests that 82.9 per cent of Israelis believe the military campaign against Iran has weakened Israel’s long-term security and 86 per cent have a negative attitude towards the outcome of the conflict.
Keep reading:
New poll reveals 92 per cent of Israelis believe Iran has won the war
Netanyahu says him and Trump 'often see eye to eye, but sometimes we don't
01:00 , Katie HawkinsonSpeaking at the Jerusalem News Syndicate’s International Policy Summit on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touched on his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“In the United States, they say that President Trump does everything that I ask him to do. And in Israel, they say that I do everything he wants me to do. Well, neither is true. We're leaders of independent and proud countries,” Netanyahu said.
“Often we see eye to eye, sometimes we don't. But we respect each other’s sovereignty and leadership and commitment to our people,” he added.
Vance's office calls press lid as negotiations continue into the night
Monday 22 June 2026 00:51 , Alex WoodwardThe press pool traveling with Vice President JD Vance was given a lid 1:14 a.m. local time, indicating that US officials are not expected to make any further public appearances or announcements until morning.
The vice president’s office provided an earlier statement attributed to a US official stating that negotiations are still ongoing. The diplomatic team is expected to “continue through the night,” according to the statement.
Analysis: The Trump administration is angry with Netanyahu - but it won’t break with Israel’s far right
Monday 22 June 2026 00:00 , Sam KileyDonald Trump and his deputy JD Vance have been stamping their feet over Israel’s continued war in Lebanon, which could stymie the US president’s only hope of extracting himself from a war with Iran he started alongside Benjamin Netanyahu.
But Vance’s slap at far-right members of the Israeli cabinet - that “You’re a country of nine million people. You can’t just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have” - does not mean that Israel is likely to remain the dominant partner.
Keep reading:
Why the Trump administration won’t break with Israel’s far right
Discussions with Iran are ongoing and delegation expects to continue working through the night, diplomat says
Sunday 21 June 2026 23:32 , Alex WoodwardA senior U.S. diplomat engaged in the negotiations said negotiations with Iran are ongoing, and the U.S. team is expected to continue working through the night, according to the reporting pool traveling with Vice President JD Vance.
The diplomat said discussions included “clarifying some of the confusing messaging from Iran on the Strait and building deconfliction mechanisms to ensure the Strait will remain fully open.”
“We have also worked through deconfliction mechanisms and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon,” the diplomat said.
There have been “robust discussions on all elements of the nuclear deal” and plan to use Sunday’s talks to “work as a starting point for ongoing technical talks going forward.”
Trump returns to White House and trashes media coverage of Iran war
Sunday 21 June 2026 23:27 , Alex WoodwardShortly after returning to the White House from a weekend at Camp David, President Donald Trump lashed out at the “Corrupt and Failing New York Times,” which published an analysis on the U.S. war with Iran finding that neither the conflict nor an agreement to end it have definitively cut off threats from the regime.
The title is “What Changed After Almost Four Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much.”
“REALLY?” Trump responded on Truth Social.
“Their Military is DONE, their Navy is GONE, their Air Force is GONE, their Launching Pads, Missiles, Drones and Manufacturing of same, is almost GONE, their top two sets of Leaders are GONE, their Inflation is at 250%, their Economy is BROKEN, their Soldiers aren’t being paid, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN, THE OIL IS GUSHING, and the U.S. Stock Market and Jobs are at record HIGHS,” he added.
“That’s what’s CHANGED, you corrupt and unethical cowards, and MORE!!!” the president wrote.
Watch: US Vice President Vance claims Trump wants to 'turn over new leaf' in ties with Iranian people
Sunday 21 June 2026 23:00 , Katie HawkinsonQatarEnergy reports explosion and fire after 'operational incident'
Sunday 21 June 2026 22:56 , Alex WoodwardQatarEnergy has reported an “operational incident” at a liquified natural gas facility that resulted in an explosion and a fire.
The Qatari energy producer said the fire was brought under control.
Qatar’s interior ministry said several people were injured but that no leak “poses a threat to public safety.”
Operational Incident at Ras Laffan Industrial City
— QatarEnergy (@qatarenergy) June 21, 2026
QatarEnergy confirms that there was an operational incident during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City which resulted in an explosion and fire at Barzan local gas supply facility in the evening hours of…
Trump returns to DC after weekend at Camp David amid Iran talks
Sunday 21 June 2026 22:49 , Alex Woodward
No status update on Iran talks: pool report
Sunday 21 June 2026 22:35 , Katie HawkinsonThe group of journalists traveling with Vice President JD Vance in Switzerland hasn’t received an update on the status of the Iran talks for more than eight hours, according to a pool report.
Iran national anthem loudly booed again at World Cup before Belgium game
Sunday 21 June 2026 22:30 , Lawrence Ostlere and Jack RathbornThe Iranian national anthem was loudly booed again at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday after Iran continued their World Cup campaign against Belgium in Group G.
The reaction added to the hostile reception for the team following a similar atmosphere before they played New Zealand in a gripping 2-2 draw.
Iran national anthem loudly booed again at World Cup before Belgium game
Three-quarters of Americans say they want Iran war to end and it was not worth the cost
Sunday 21 June 2026 22:00 , John BowdenThree-quarters of Americans want Donald Trump’s war with Iran to end without further resumption of hostilities on either side — and almost as many say the war wasn’t worth it in the first place.
A new CBS poll released Sunday found that the president’s foreign policy choices are deeply underwater with voters as peace talks are supposedly set to continue and the administration oversees the rollout of a new ceasefire extension signed by U.S. and Iranian officials on Wednesday.
Keep reading:
Americans say they want the Iran war to end and it was not worth the cost
