US and Iran set for new talks as Tehran closes strait

A new round of negotiations concerning the Middle East war is set to commence in Switzerland, with Iranian negotiators arriving ahead of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The talks occur as Tehran declared it would once again close the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

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make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue

Before departing for Europe, Vance expressed his hope to "make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue." He indicated these would be the primary focus of the discussions. Follow-up talks had been planned for Friday but were postponed after Israel launched strikes in Lebanon following the deaths of four Israeli soldiers. Washington had announced a renewed ceasefire, a condition for its preliminary agreement with Iran, but clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters resumed, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.

Citing a U.S. "breach of contract" and "the Zionist regime's continuous and relentless violation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon," Iran's central military command announced that "the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic." The Strait, a critical route for oil and gas shipments, was previously blockaded by Iran for extended periods 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, leading to a recovery in shipping traffic.

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Those are the two big things that I think we're going to be focused on

U.S. Central Command responded to Iran's announcement by stating that safe passage through the international waterway "remained intact" and that U.S. forces were "present and vigilant." Former President Trump later warned that Washington might impose its own tolls on the waterway if negotiators fail to finalize the deal, stating, "There would be no tolls unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America."

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the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic

An Iranian delegation, reportedly including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Switzerland. A foreign ministry spokesperson indicated the delegation would "demand implementation of the other party's commitments" under the deal, warning that "otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble." Vance stated he could only stay "a day or two" for the talks, noting that U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already present and handling technical aspects, reporting that "things are going well."

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remained intact