Vance Arrives in Switzerland for Peace Talks as Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Closed
12 reported1 unconfirmed1 conflicting
Iran announced Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, citing ceasefire violations after Israel continued strikes in southern Lebanon. Vice President JD Vance landed in Switzerland early Sunday to join ongoing negotiations with Iran, according to the article. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned ships not to approach the waterway, which Iran had reopened under an interim peace deal signed this week. President Donald Trump threatened on social media to impose U.S. tolls in the strait if a final deal is not reached within 60 days. Israeli strikes early Saturday killed at least 16 people, including two children, according to Lebanese civil defense and media. The continued bombardment has threatened to derail U.S. peace talks with Iran, which specified that fighting must end on all fronts, including Lebanon. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced technical-level talks will take place Sunday with U.S. and Iranian representatives joined by mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.
What’s reported
Iran said Saturday the Strait of Hormuz is closed, citing ceasefire violations after Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned ships not to approach the waterway, saying vessels’ safety would be at risk.
Iran’s top joint military command called the closure the “first step” in response to breaches of commitments by the U.S. and Israel, per Iran’s semiofficial Mehr news agency.
President Trump threatened on social media to impose U.S. tolls in the strait if a final deal with Iran is not reached within 60 days.
Israeli strikes early Saturday killed at least 16 people, including two children, according to Lebanese civil defense and media.
Vice President JD Vance landed in Switzerland early Sunday, joining Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in negotiations.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced technical-level talks Sunday with U.S. and Iranian representatives and mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will lead the Iranian delegation, according to Iranian state TV.
A previous wave of strikes on Friday killed 83 people, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said.
The Israel Defense Forces said Hezbollah breached the ceasefire and launched more than 50 projectiles toward IDF soldiers, and that Israel attacked Hezbollah targets in response.
Hezbollah said it adhered to the ceasefire since Friday evening, accusing Israel of making false claims to sabotage the agreement between Iran and the U.S.
U.S. Central Command said 55 merchant ships transited the waterway on Saturday, moving more than 17 million barrels of oil.
Conflicting accounts
The article reports conflicting accounts of ceasefire violations. Israel said Hezbollah breached the ceasefire and launched more than 50 projectiles. Hezbollah said it adhered to the ceasefire since Friday evening and accused Israel of making false claims to justify its attacks.
Open questions
It is unclear whether the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, as U.S. Central Command reported 55 merchant ships transited the waterway on Saturday. It is also unclear how the Israeli strikes will affect the ongoing peace talks.
Key figures
Vice President JD Vance
President Donald Trump
Steve Witkoff (Trump’s special envoy)
Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law)
Esmail Baghaei (spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry)
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (Iran’s Parliament Speaker)
Abbas Araghchi (Iran’s Foreign Minister)
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin (IDF spokesperson)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Jonathan Panikoff (former career intelligence officer at the Atlantic Council)
Sources: NBC News
