By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Diplomatic efforts to end the devastating conflict between the United States and Iran are entering a critical phase, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressing confidence that negotiations could begin within days.
However, hopes for a lasting peace have been clouded by a dramatic announcement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who declared that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz had been closed once again, citing alleged violations of the recently agreed ceasefire by both the United States and Israel.
The development comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reached a landmark interim agreement aimed at ending nearly four months of warfare that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted global energy markets, and claimed thousands of lives across the region.
Speaking in a televised interview on Saturday, Vance said preparations for a new round of negotiations in Switzerland were progressing well and indicated that he expected to travel there soon. According to the vice president, American negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland working on technical aspects of the discussions.
Vance stressed that Washington remained optimistic about the ceasefire’s future, adding that he had not seen evidence confirming reports that the Strait of Hormuz had actually been shut down. His remarks reflected the Biden administration’s determination to maintain momentum behind the diplomatic process despite growing tensions on the ground.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that its negotiating team was preparing to depart for Switzerland, where talks are expected to focus on Tehran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, regional security concerns, and the implementation of the broader peace framework agreed earlier this week.
The situation was complicated further when Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning to commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes. The Guards accused Israel of continuing military operations in Lebanon and alleged that the United States had failed to uphold commitments connected to the ceasefire agreement. They warned that ships entering the area could face security risks.
Any disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would have significant implications for global oil and gas supplies. The narrow waterway serves as a key corridor for energy exports from Gulf nations, and even the threat of closure has historically triggered sharp movements in international energy markets.
At the heart of the negotiations is a broader effort to stabilize the region, including a ceasefire in Lebanon. Under the terms of the interim agreement, a halt to fighting in Lebanon is considered essential before formal U.S.-Iran talks can move forward.
However, violence continued only hours after a truce was announced. Lebanese Civil Defence officials reported that at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Israel said the strikes were carried out in response to attacks launched by Hezbollah forces, while Hezbollah insisted it remained committed to the ceasefire but would defend itself against Israeli military operations.
Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that Israel is not formally bound by the U.S.-Iran agreement and intends to maintain military positions in areas of southern Lebanon it currently occupies. The Israeli military reported that Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles toward Israeli forces overnight, prompting retaliatory strikes against what it described as militant targets.
One of the deadliest attacks reportedly struck a residential building in the town of Barish near Tyre, killing an entire family, including two children. Lebanese authorities also reported the death of a soldier following another Israeli strike in the Nabatieh region.
For its part, Hezbollah accused Israeli forces of attempting to expand their operations in southern Lebanon and warned that the group would not allow unrestricted Israeli military activity on Lebanese territory. Despite the accusations, Hezbollah leaders maintained that they remain committed to the ceasefire arrangement, provided Israel respects the terms of the agreement.
The conflict has left a devastating humanitarian toll. Lebanese health officials estimate that nearly 4,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since fighting escalated in March, while Israel reports dozens of military and civilian casualties resulting from Hezbollah rocket and missile attacks.
Switzerland, which is hosting the latest diplomatic initiative, said it would continue providing a confidential and neutral environment for negotiations at the mountain resort of Buergenstock. Swiss officials declined to reveal details about participants or the agenda, emphasizing the sensitive nature of the talks.
The wider Iran conflict has become one of the most consequential geopolitical crises of recent years. Analysts estimate that at least 8,000 people have been killed since the war began, with the majority of casualties occurring in Iran and Lebanon. The conflict has also fueled higher energy prices worldwide, increased inflationary pressures, and heightened fears of a broader regional confrontation.
The interim agreement signed this week includes major incentives designed to encourage long-term peace. These measures reportedly include sanctions relief for Iran, the release of frozen assets worth tens of billions of dollars, waivers allowing Iranian oil exports to resume, and the creation of a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund to support recovery efforts across affected areas.
As diplomats prepare for the next round of negotiations, the success or failure of the Switzerland talks may determine whether the fragile ceasefire evolves into a lasting peace—or whether the region risks sliding back toward a wider and potentially more dangerous conflict.
Source Reuters
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