US and Iran begin talks in Switzerland as Strait of Hormuz status remains disputed

Vice President JD Vance landed in Switzerland on Monday to launch a series of technical talks with Iranian leaders aimed at expanding a recently signed memorandum of understanding on Iran's nuclear program and the 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 announced on Saturday that the waterway remains closed pending further notice. The U.S. military said traffic continues and is being monitored.

President Donald Trump 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,” and warned that U.S. tolls could be levied if a comprehensive deal is not reached within 60 days.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson warned that any further Israeli attacks on Lebanon would breach the agreement, underscoring ongoing regional tensions that could affect 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.