BÜRGENSTOCK (Realist English). US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland to resume direct talks with Iran, while Tehran has again announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon. The US military command has categorically denied Iran’s claims, stating that shipping in the strait continues.
Vance arrives, but talks under threat
US Vice President JD Vance flew to Switzerland on the morning of June 21 to take part in talks with the Iranian delegation. Technical negotiations are expected to begin on Sunday in Bürgenstock, with Pakistan and Qatar acting as mediators. Vance said the main priorities of the talks would be Iran’s nuclear programme and a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
However, the talks are under threat of collapse. They were originally scheduled for Friday, June 19, but were postponed at the last moment after Israel carried out deadly strikes on Lebanon in response to the deaths of four of its soldiers. Tehran has made it clear: talks will not progress until the Lebanese issue is resolved.
As Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated, “this trip is aimed at demanding that the other side fulfil its obligations.”
Iran again closes the Strait of Hormuz
On June 20, the Iranian military command announced the re‑closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s statement refers to a “clear violation of commitments” by the United States, which failed to force Israel to stop its attacks on Lebanon.
At the same time, the Iranian delegation, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Switzerland for the talks. Baghaei warned that if obligations are not met, “the entire memorandum of understanding will be in jeopardy.”
CENTCOM: ‘Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz’
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) immediately refuted Tehran’s claims. CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said: “Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping continues, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure it remains so.”
According to CENTCOM, on Saturday, 55 merchant ships passed through the strait, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. This is the highest number of ships in a single day since the start of the war, although still significantly below the pre‑war average of 130 ships per day.
Lebanese front: ceasefire under threat
Despite the ceasefire announced on June 19 between Israel and Hezbollah, fighting continues. Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 47 people, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. The Israeli army reported hitting 80 Hezbollah targets and eliminating “dozens” of its fighters.
Israel insists that its conflict with Hezbollah is unrelated to the US‑Iran deal. Hezbollah, for its part, has accused Israel of trying to “sabotage” the broader agreement.
