In an effort to broker peace, US and Iranian officials have engaged in talks in Switzerland. The US delegation was led by Vice President J.D. Vance, while the Iranian delegation was headed by Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf. Following the Israeli attack on Lebanon, Iran has announced it will shut the Strait of Hormuz maritime route once again. June 21, Kathmandu.
As part of peace negotiations, US and Iranian officials traveled to Switzerland. Officials from Qatar and Pakistan are also present at the talks as mediators. The discussions are being held at a luxury resort in the Alps near Lucerne, in Burgnstadt, under the leadership of US Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other representatives are participating as mediators, according to reports. The talks have garnered worldwide attention.
Prior to departing for Switzerland, US Vice President J.D. Vance expressed hope for progress on nuclear issues and a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. He emphasized that ensuring the security of both Israel and Lebanon is the primary objective of the talks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran expects other parties to fulfill their commitments according to the agreement. Pakistan has played a key mediating role in efforts to end the conflict between the US and Iran. Earlier in April, the first phase of talks between US and Iranian representatives took place in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. Earlier this week, the presidents of both countries signed a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the war.
The agreement includes immediate ceasefires on all fronts including Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz—a critical conduit for about 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG)—and scheduling follow-up talks within 60 days to finalize a comprehensive accord. However, mistrust and misunderstandings continue to challenge the dialogue between the two nations. Critics claim that the first of the 14 points of the US-Iran agreement, which calls for an immediate and permanent halt to military action across all areas including Lebanon, has yet to be implemented.
Shortly after Hezbollah and Israel declared a new ceasefire, at least 20 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon within 24 hours. In response, Iran announced it would once again close the Strait of Hormuz. However, the US military has stated that the waterway remains open and ship traffic continues as normal. According to US Central Command, 55 commercial vessels passed through the route on Saturday alone.
