NPR News: 06-20-2026 2PM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. U.S. envoys have arrived in Switzerland for the latest round of diplomatic talks with their Iranian counterparts. Villa Marx reports fresh violence in the Middle East complicates their efforts.
What diplomatic talks began in Switzerland between U.S. envoys and Iran and why were they delayed?
President Trump's point men, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reached Switzerland Saturday afternoon for the latest round of talks aimed at a potentially a nuclear agreement with Iran. The Iranian foreign minister Abbas Arachi and Qatari and Pakistani mediators are joining them in the resort town of Bergenstock, according to Pakistan's foreign ministry. The meetings had originally been set for Friday, but were delayed after renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. That fighting continued Saturday, and Iranian officials have said the entire understanding could collapse if commitments tied to a recent memorandum of understanding are not met. For NPR News, I'm Ben Marks.
Iran said today it's closed the Strait of Hormuz because of Israel's attacks in Lebanon that killed at least 16 people. U.S. Central Command disputes this, saying traffic continues to flow through the strait and U.S. forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran this week is a tentative agreement designed to lead to an end to the war. NPR's Ron Elving reports there is much at stake.
There's the fragile ceasefire that may or may not be holding for the moment. Then there's the fate of the MOU between the U.S. and Iran. There's at least a short-term chance for peace in the region. Then there's the future of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel that's been so important to both for almost 80 years. So now the Trump administration wants to dial back, make a deal, or at least start to make one.
NPR's Ron Elving. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloney is pushing back after President Trump said she begged him for a photo op at last week's summit in France. Megan Williams reports.
Giorgia Maloney posted the video calling Trump's account completely fabricated, saying she was stunned the U.S. president would make up a story about a partner country. Italy and I do not beg, she said. Italian leaders from across the political spectrum quickly backed her. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani even canceled a planned trip to the U.S. Maloney had tried to position herself as Trump's closest European ally, but strains over Iran, Ukraine, tariffs, and Gaza have been growing.
How did renewed Israel-Hezbollah clashes threaten the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding?
And here in Italy, the spat is being read as the end of a close political friendship. For NPR News... I'm Megan Williams in Rome.
Trump repeated his claim this morning on Truth Social. He said Maloney had asked over and over for a picture with him because, he says, she's doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity. Later, he said, no thanks. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Russian bombs hit the southeastern city of Zaporizhia today, killing four people and injuring six others. Also today, Russia attacked an apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Officials say at least one person was killed. Award-winning TV comedy director James Burroughs has died at the age of 85. Steve Futterman reports he directed some of the country's most iconic sitcoms.
If you are someone who reads television credits, James Burroughs was a familiar name. He got his start on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He directed four episodes of the legendary comedy That Was the Start of a Remarkable Career. After that would come The Bob Newhart Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and many others. He was most closely associated with Cheers. He co-created the series and directed 237 episodes. He also played a key role on Friends, directing the pilot episode and directed all 246 episodes of Will & Grace.
What did Iran and U.S. Central Command say about the Strait of Hormuz closure claims?
For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.
In the U.S., Ford's F-150 is the best-selling vehicle. But a new report finds it's not the most driven one. IC Cars looked at the odometer readings from more than 2 million vehicles that were sold last year.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:16
2
What diplomatic talks began in Switzerland between U.S. envoys and Iran and why were they delayed?
0:16–2:33
3
How did renewed Israel-Hezbollah clashes threaten the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding?
2:33–4:10
4
What did Iran and U.S. Central Command say about the Strait of Hormuz closure claims?
4:10–5:04