ZURICH – U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to officially commence negotiations with Iranian officials aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and advancing a delicate interim agreement to end the ongoing conflict in Iran.
The framework for these discussions was established just a week prior, initiating a critical 60-day period for U.S. and Iranian negotiators to iron out the technical specifics that hold significant ramifications for global security and economic stability.
However, the initial days of this negotiation window have been complicated by escalating violence in Lebanon, particularly between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-aligned militant group. This was further exacerbated by Iran’s military announcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime corridor through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas is transported.
Vance’s travel to Switzerland, initially scheduled for Friday at the scenic Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne, was postponed due to the intensification of conflict in Lebanon, which led to Iranian officials withdrawing from the talks.
In response to Iran’s claim regarding the closure of the Strait, U.S. Central Command refuted this assertion, maintaining that American forces were actively monitoring the situation to ensure the continued flow of maritime traffic through the vital waterway. Vance noted that millions of barrels of oil have continued to transit through the strait in recent days.
Just prior to Vance’s departure, Iranian state media confirmed that Tehran’s delegation had arrived in Switzerland, which includes high-ranking officials such as parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with representatives from the central bank and oil sector.
Joining Vance in Switzerland is special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who have already begun assessing the technical aspects of the nuclear discussions.
The negotiations will also involve Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, as well as mediators from Qatar. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Sharif plans to engage separately with delegations from Iran, Switzerland, and the United States to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to fostering dialogue and achieving lasting peace in the region.
Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance, landed at Emmen Air Base near Lucerne just before 6 a.m. local time. Although Vance stated he intended to stay in Switzerland for only “a day or two,” with most of the detailed negotiations delegated to Witkoff and Kushner, his involvement in these discussions has attracted increased scrutiny as he considers a potential presidential run in 2028.
Critics from within the Republican Party have harshly criticized both Trump and Vance regarding the terms of the agreement, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the nuclear deal brokered during the Obama administration, which they argue failed to effectively limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The agreement, signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, allows Tehran to freely sell its oil and access billions in frozen assets. Additionally, it requires Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be hidden in nuclear facilities targeted by U.S. strikes last summer.
Under the terms of the agreement, commercial vessels can navigate through the Strait of Hormuz without incurring charges for 60 days, although future fees imposed by Iran remain a possibility. Trump has threatened to impose U.S. tolls on the strait if a deal is not reached within this timeframe, claiming that revenue would be used to support Middle Eastern nations.
The Trump administration has sought to reassure global markets that the conflict with Iran has only caused a minor disruption in oil prices, despite rising gasoline costs affecting American consumers ahead of the summer travel season. Following the announcement of the agreement last week, oil futures saw a nearly 8% drop, and market participants are expected to closely monitor the negotiations as trading resumes on Sunday evening.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, neither Israel nor Hezbollah is part of the U.S.-Iran deal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon until all threats to Israel are neutralized. Hezbollah has maintained that it will continue its assaults unless Israel commits to withdrawing from Lebanon.
The recent clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, occurring shortly after the U.S.-Iran agreement, resulted in the deaths of 47 individuals in Lebanon, along with four Israeli soldiers.
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Kim reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
