US-Iran talks set for Sunday in Switzerland amid Strait of Hormuz closure
10 reported2 unconfirmed
Iran announced on Saturday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz and that its negotiators would still travel to Switzerland for talks with the United States, though a spokesperson signaled little progress is expected unless Washington meets its commitments. The technical-level talks are scheduled to begin Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, with Pakistani and Qatari mediators participating, according to key mediator Pakistan. Iran’s joint military command cited Israeli attacks in Lebanon and U.S. “bad faith” as reasons for closing the strait, warning that further steps are planned if aggression continues. The U.S. military reported that 55 merchant ships transited the strait on Saturday, moving more than 17 million barrels of oil, though it was unclear when during the day they passed. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports of a ceasefire agreement emerged. Hezbollah said it had committed to the ceasefire but blamed Israel for violating it, while an Israeli official said Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces overnight. The conflict has now surpassed 4,000 deaths in Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry.
What’s reported
Iran announced closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, citing Israeli attacks and U.S. “bad faith.”
Technical-level US-Iran talks will begin Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, with Pakistani and Qatari mediators.
Iran’s negotiating team includes parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and central bank and oil officials.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei said the trip is about demanding the other side fulfill its obligations, and negotiations toward a final agreement will begin only once key commitments are upheld.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed top negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are already in Switzerland.
The U.S. military said 55 merchant ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, moving more than 17 million barrels of oil.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people, including two children, on Saturday.
Lebanon’s health ministry announced the death toll in the Israel-Hezbollah war has surpassed 4,000.
Hezbollah said it committed to a ceasefire but blamed Israel for violating it Friday night.
An Israeli military official said Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces overnight.
Open questions
It is unclear when during the day the 55 merchant ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
It is unclear whether the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon is in effect or has been violated by either side.
Key figures
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iranian parliamentary Speaker
Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister
Esmail Bagahei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
JD Vance, U.S. Vice President
Jared Kushner, U.S. negotiator
Steve Witkoff, U.S. negotiator
Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistani Interior Minister
Yechiel Leiter, Israeli ambassador to Washington
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
Effie Defrin, Israeli military spokesman
Hussein Khoshman, Tyre resident
Sources: csmonitor.com
