BERGEN — Iranian and American delegations have arrived in Switzerland for technical-level talks aimed at implementing the landmark memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month, even as tensions over the Hormuz Strait remain unresolved.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that the talks would take place on Sunday at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland. Pakistan and Qatar are serving as mediators in the negotiations.
Iran’s negotiating delegation, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Zurich on Saturday and are traveling to the conference venue, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry. U.S. Vice President JD Vance has also departed Washington for Switzerland to participate in the talks.
The negotiations come amid heightened tensions over the Hormuz Strait, a critical shipping lane through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil passes. On Friday, Iran’s military announced the closure of the strait, citing Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon and what it called the United States’ failure to restrain its ally.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy issued a statement warning that all vessels entering or approaching the strait would face security threats. “This is the first step in response to the enemy’s breach of faith,” the statement said. “If the aggression continues, further measures will be taken to compel the other side to fulfill its commitments.”
However, U.S. military officials disputed the Iranian claims. U.S. Central Command said it had observed no Iranian military action to close the strait. “The Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe for transit,” CENTCOM stated. “Commercial shipping continued normally on Friday, with 55 merchant vessels transiting the strait.”
Vice President Vance, speaking on Fox News, said there was no evidence the strait had been closed. “I don’t see any evidence that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed,” he said. “The ceasefire arrangement with Iran is holding.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran will use the Switzerland talks to hold Washington accountable for its commitments. “Iran will present its demands regarding the fulfillment of American obligations,” he said. “If the United States fails to honor its commitments, the entire memorandum will be at risk of collapse.”
U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation on Saturday, posting on social media that no tolls would be charged for passage through the Hormuz Strait during the 60-day ceasefire period. “After 60 days, no tolls either, unless a deal is not reached,” he wrote.