World

Lebanon ceasefire agreed, US official says after US-Iran talks in Switzerland scrapped

By Steve Holland, Jana Choukeir and Humeyra Pamuk Reuters

Updated June 19, 2026 9:56 AM

Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Marjayoun, Lebanon, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer — Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Marjayoun, Lebanon, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

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WASHINGTON/DUBAI/ZURICH - Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday, a U.S. official said, after an escalation in fighting there jeopardised the chances of an interim agreement on ending the war in Iran turning into a lasting Middle East peace deal.

U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland planned for Friday were cancelled as fighting flared in Lebanon, creating new uncertainty about the timing of negotiations vital to ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.

The senior U.S. official said shortly before 4 p.m. Lebanon time (1300 GMT) that a ceasefire would come into effect then.

"We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire," the official said on background, saying that negotiators for the U.S. and Qataris worked out the agreement with help from Iran.

The flareup in Lebanon, in which 18 people were killed in airstrikes and four Israeli soldiers were killed by Hezbollah militants, could weigh heavily on negotiations because ending fighting there is a condition for the broader U.S.-Iran accord.

A senior Hezbollah lawmaker said Iran had told the group that talks with the United States could not continue without a comprehensive ceasefire.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson did not mention the talks but said the United States bore direct responsibility for Israeli attacks on Lebanon and that Tehran would take all necessary measures to protect its interests.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus, Writing by Clarence Fernandez and Timothy Heritage; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Philippa Fletcher)

An Iranian woman walks next to an anti-U.S. mural on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 10, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS — An Iranian woman walks next to an anti-U.S. mural on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 10, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS Majid Asgaripour Reuters

The Buergenstock resort, in Obbuergen, where possible talks between the U.S. and Iranian delegations after the two countries' presidents signed an interim deal aimed at ending the war could take place, is seen from Lucerne, Switzerland, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse — The Buergenstock resort, in Obbuergen, where possible talks between the U.S. and Iranian delegations after the two countries' presidents signed an interim deal aimed at ending the war could take place, is seen from Lucerne, Switzerland, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Denis Balibouse Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 9:30 AM.