ZURICH/DUBAI/WASHINGTON — Iranian negotiators arrived in Switzerland on Saturday as U.S. Vice President JD Vance traveled for talks aimed at sustaining a fragile ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran, while renewed fighting in Lebanon raised concerns over the stability of a broader regional peace effort.
The Iranian delegation, led by chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, included Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and senior officials from the security, central bank, and oil sectors, according to Iranian state media. Vance departed Washington for Switzerland, where discussions are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear program, regional security concerns, and efforts to maintain the ceasefire agreement.
The talks are part of a 60-day ceasefire arrangement between the United States and Iran, following an interim agreement brokered by Pakistan and signed earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreement aims to end nearly four months of conflict and create a path toward broader negotiations.
However, tensions escalated after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed, warning ships that they could face security risks if they entered the strategic waterway.
The IRGC said the move was in response to what it described as Israeli actions in Lebanon and a failure by the United States to fulfill ceasefire commitments. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying a significant portion of global oil and gas shipments.
The United States disputed the claim that the waterway had been closed. U.S. Central Command said 55 merchant vessels passed through the strait on Saturday, transporting cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to international markets. The command said U.S. forces would continue supporting the safe passage of commercial ships.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post that no toll would be charged for passage through the Strait of Hormuz during or after the 60-day ceasefire unless such a measure becomes necessary if peace talks fail. He said the United States could consider a future charge related to protecting maritime access in the region.
Vance said in an interview with Fox News that he remained confident the ceasefire would hold and that he had not seen evidence confirming the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Before leaving Washington, he told reporters that the talks could last several days and would focus on advancing discussions on Iran’s nuclear activities and the Lebanon ceasefire.
“I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue,” Vance said.
Iranian officials said Tehran would push for the implementation of commitments made under the agreement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the discussions in Switzerland would focus on ensuring that previous commitments are honored.
The diplomatic efforts were complicated by renewed violence in Lebanon, where a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah appeared increasingly fragile.
Lebanese Civil Defence reported that 20 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, shortly after the ceasefire took effect. Israel said the strikes were carried out in response to attacks by Hezbollah, while the Iran-backed group said it would not allow Israel freedom of movement in Lebanese territory.
Israel has said it is not a party to the U.S.-Iran agreement and will maintain its military positions in areas of Lebanon that it currently occupies. Israeli officials said Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles toward Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, prompting retaliatory strikes against what Israel described as Hezbollah targets.
Lebanon’s state news agency reported Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, areas where Hezbollah has significant influence. The Israeli military said it remained committed to the ceasefire while continuing to respond to threats against its forces.
The conflict has caused heavy casualties across the region. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 4,057 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2, including civilians and medical personnel, although it did not specify the number of combatants among the dead. Israeli authorities said at least 32 soldiers and four civilians have been killed in fighting with Hezbollah.
As negotiations continue in Switzerland, the durability of the ceasefire framework will depend on whether the United States, Iran, Israel, and Hezbollah can maintain their commitments and prevent further escalation.sefire framework will depend on whether the United States, Iran, Israel, and Hezbollah can maintain their commitments and prevent further escalation.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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