US VP Vance in Switzerland for Iran peace talks amid Strait of Hormuz dispute

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to engage in peace talks with Iran, seeking a lasting resolution to their conflict. Both nations aim to end their war, but significant disagreements remain, particularly concerning Iran's assertions that it has closed the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Despite an agreed-upon 60-day ceasefire to facilitate negotiations, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz shut on Saturday. However, the US military reported that commercial vessels continued to operate in the waterway, highlighting a point of contention that could complicate the ongoing discussions. These talks are intended to advance an interim deal brokered by Pakistan and signed by Presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Revolutionary Guards warned ships of risk if they approached the Strait, citing Israeli "crimes" in Lebanon as a violation of US ceasefire commitments. This warning comes as the US Central Command confirmed that 55 merchant ships transited the strait on Saturday, carrying over 17 million barrels of oil. President Trump indicated that no toll would be charged for passage during or after the ceasefire, unless the US imposes one if peace talks fail.

Regional tensions, including clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in Lebanon, add further complexity to the situation. The Iranian delegation, led by chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, includes key officials from the foreign ministry, central bank, and oil sector. The US team features envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief General Syed Asim Munir are also expected to attend.

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