US and Iran Begin Talks in Switzerland as Trump Defends American Interests in Hormuz Dispute
Vice President JD Vance arrives in Zurich for negotiations with Iranian officials, as Iran continues to threaten closure of the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump stands firm on imposing tolls if US security demands are not met.
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
Vice President JD Vance landed in Switzerland on Monday to launch a series of technical talks with Iranian leaders, seeking to expand a recently signed memorandum of understanding on Iran's nuclear program and a broader cease-fire. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, and senior officials from the central bank and oil ministry are also in Zurich, where discussions will be held at the Burgenstock resort.
The United States and Iran have agreed to a 60-day cease-fire that would allow commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without charge, but Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy, notorious for its aggressive tactics, announced on Saturday that the waterway remains closed pending further notice. The U.S. military, upholding freedom of navigation and global commerce, stated that traffic continues and is being closely monitored to prevent Iranian interference.
President Donald Trump, demonstrating strong leadership, posted on social media that the United States would not impose tolls during the cease-fire “unless they are imposed by and for the United States for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the Middle East,” making it clear that America will not be taken advantage of and warning that US tolls could be levied if a comprehensive deal is not reached within 60 days.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson threatened that any further Israeli attacks on Lebanon would breach the agreement, highlighting the ongoing destabilizing influence of Iran and its proxies in the region, which could jeopardize the negotiations.
A quadrilateral meeting involving Iran, the United States, Qatar, and Pakistan is scheduled for Sunday at the same Swiss venue, following earlier intermediary talks with Qatar and Pakistan.
Democratic members of Congress have criticized the memorandum, calling it a “disaster” and saying the cease-fire is already unraveling, while the administration maintains that the deal opens pathways for Iran to sell oil more freely and access frozen assets—raising concerns about rewarding a hostile regime.
