US and Iran Set for New Talks After Delay and Deadly Strikes; Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again

New negotiations aimed at resolving a Middle East conflict were scheduled to start Sunday in Switzerland, with Iranian representatives arriving just hours before U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The talks, however, face immediate tension as Iran announced it was again closing the Strait of Hormuz due to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

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make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue. Those are the two big things that I think we're going to be focused on

Vance expressed hope for progress on "the nuclear issue" and "the Lebanon ceasefire issue" before boarding his flight. These follow-up discussions were initially planned for Friday but were abruptly postponed after Israel conducted deadly strikes in Lebanon. These strikes occurred in response to the deaths of four Israeli soldiers. Washington later announced a renewed ceasefire, a condition for its preliminary agreement with Iran, but clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters resumed on Saturday, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.

Iran's central military command cited a U.S. "breach of contract" and "the Zionist regime's continuous and relentless violation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon" as reasons for closing the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic. This vital oil and gas shipping route was previously blockaded by Iran during the war, causing significant disruption to global energy markets. Iran had agreed to reopen it under a preliminary accord signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, and shipping traffic had begun to recover.

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breach of contract

U.S. Central Command stated that safe passage through the international waterway "remained intact" following Iran's announcement, with U.S. forces remaining "present and vigilant." Former President Trump later issued a warning on Truth Social, suggesting Washington might impose its own tolls on Hormuz if negotiators failed to finalize the deal, asserting that "there would be no tolls unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America."

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the Zionist regime's continuous and relentless violation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon

An Iranian delegation, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Switzerland late Saturday. Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated the delegation would "demand implementation of the other party's commitments" under the deal, warning that "otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble." U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already present, handling "technical elements" and reporting positive progress. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir were also traveling to Switzerland to participate in the high-level talks.

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remained intact