/https://media.cnbc.com/dims/origin/108343257/Spider-Man-Brand-New-Day.jpg "Spider-Man Smashes Box Office Records with ‘Brand New Day’ Preview Haul")
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for high-stakes negotiations with an Iranian delegation, just as tensions flare again over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claimed to close the critical shipping route in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, a claim the U.S. denied, insisting the waterway remains open. President Trump has also introduced the possibility of imposing tolls on ships transiting the Strait if a final agreement isn’t reached within 60 days, raising the stakes for the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
In a high-stakes diplomatic maneuver, U.S. Vice President JD Vance touched down in Switzerland early Sunday, initiating the next critical phase of negotiations with an Iranian delegation, just a day after Tehran controversially declared the Strait of Hormuz closed once more, igniting fresh concerns.
Iran had issued a warning Saturday for all vessels to steer clear of the indispensable shipping corridor. However, the United States swiftly countered these claims, asserting that the vital waterway remained fully operational.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have seen a rapid escalation, emerging mere days after an interim agreement was reportedly struck to de-escalate hostilities in the volatile Middle East region.
The Iranian military and the nation's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the strait's closure as Iranian negotiators prepared for technical-level discussions with U.S. officials, scheduled to commence Sunday in Switzerland.
According to an AP report, Iran's joint military command cited ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon and what it labeled U.S. "bad faith" and a failure to honor commitments under the recent truce framework as reasons for its actions. Iranian state television further indicated that "subsequent steps have been planned" should what it termed "aggression" persist, as reported by multiple outlets.
Earlier on Saturday, devastating Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon claimed the lives of at least 16 individuals, including two children, AP reported, citing Lebanese authorities. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported seven people remained trapped under rubble in Nabatiyeh and nearby villages in the aftermath of these attacks.
Defying Iran's declaration, the U.S. military affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz was not closed. Reuters quoted U.S. Central Command spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, who stated, "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues to flow, and U.S. forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case."
President Donald Trump also reinforced the administration's stance that the strait was open for traffic. He further proposed that the U.S. might begin levying tolls on ships transiting the Strait if the parties fail to solidify the interim agreement into a final deal within 60 days.
In a late Saturday Truth Social post, Trump declared, "There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed," justifying the charge as compensation for "services rendered."
Iran's audacious attempt to shut down the strait once more significantly elevates the stakes ahead of the Swiss talks. These negotiations are crucial for advancing the interim agreement initially hammered out on Wednesday between Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, following nearly four months of intense conflict.
The signed memorandum of understanding had explicitly mandated an immediate cessation of Israeli military actions in Lebanon and the complete reopening of the strait, free of Iranian-imposed tolls, for a minimum of 60 days.
Vance and Iranian Delegation Convene in Switzerland
A spokesperson confirmed that Vice President Vance and the Second Lady arrived at Emmen Air Base in Switzerland. Vance had departed late Saturday to resume negotiations with the Iranian delegation, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar.
Before boarding his flight, the Vice President conveyed to reporters his aspiration to "make progress on the nuclear issue" and "the Lebanon ceasefire issue."
"Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better there (in Lebanon), and things are slowing down a little bit," he remarked. "It's going to be something we're just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that you know Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure."
Swiss authorities confirmed the Iranian delegation's arrival in Switzerland on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Vance had expressed an optimistic outlook, suggesting that talks were progressing despite Iran's recent threat to close the strait.
During an appearance on Fox News, he disclosed that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were diligently working through the technical intricacies of the agreement in Switzerland, indicating that discussions were "going well."
Vance highlighted a sharp rebound in tanker traffic subsequent to the ceasefire agreement.
"We actually got 16 million barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz yesterday," Vance proudly stated. "That is a record going back to even before the conflict started."
He further elaborated that negotiators were prioritizing the securing of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, aiming to render it "effectively impossible" for Tehran to reconstitute its nuclear program. Vance also underscored the considerable economic leverage the United States retains should Iran fail to adhere to the agreement.
The motorcade transporting US Vice President JD Vance arrives at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026, ahead of high-level talks aimed at advancing a deal to end the Middle East conflict. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)
