Key facts
- Vice President Vance is in Switzerland for US-Iran nuclear talks.
- The negotiations aim to resolve Iran's nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Talks were delayed by an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
- Pakistan is mediating the discussions between the U.S. and Iran.
- Iran's military announced a closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Vice President Vance has arrived in Switzerland to participate in technical-level talks concerning Iran's nuclear program and a ceasefire deal. These negotiations, aimed at permanently ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, were postponed due to an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Vance, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. Pakistan is serving as a mediator in these crucial discussions. Earlier in the day, Sharif also met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who is heading Iran's delegation, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The talks are part of a 60-day timeline initiated by President Trump's deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with the ultimate goal of reaching a final agreement to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions and address other issues. Iran's top military command announced on Saturday morning that it would close the Strait of Hormuz in response to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Vance stated in a Fox News interview on Saturday that Witkoff and Kushner were already in Europe addressing technical aspects of the negotiations and that progress was being made.