On Saturday, Iran took two swift actions that strained its interim agreement with the United States, protesting Israel’s ongoing attacks in Lebanon. It announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that, despite sending its negotiating team to Switzerland, substantive progress is unlikely.
Pakistan, serving as a key mediator, announced that technical-level talks will commence on Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, with Qatar also taking part as mediator.
In its initial response, Iran’s joint military command declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, attributing the move to Israel’s attacks and what it described as U.S. bad faith and a clear breach of its commitments for failing to end the war. State television quoted the command warning that further measures would follow if the aggression persists.
Soon after, state media reported that Iran’s negotiating delegation would travel to Switzerland, a trip originally slated for Friday. The delegation, according to officials, comprises parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, and representatives from the central bank and oil sector, among others.
The United States has not issued an immediate response.
Iran’s team departs for talks as uncertainty grows
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei warned that substantive outcomes are unlikely until Iran perceives the United States as fulfilling its obligations.
He explained that the purpose of the trip is to compel the other side to meet its commitments, noting that a final agreement will only be pursued once those key obligations are satisfied; otherwise, the memorandum of understanding could be jeopardized.
In Washington, Vice President JD Vance confirmed that senior U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are already in Switzerland, where they are addressing technical aspects of the anticipated talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
Vance told Fox News that he anticipates traveling to Switzerland within the next few days, while acknowledging that such coordination is always delicate.
To revive direct talks, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Mr. Araghchi in Tehran on Saturday, according to anonymous Islamabad officials who cited the sensitivity of the matter.
Meanwhile, global markets braced for heightened uncertainty.
Shortly after Iran’s announcement — which it did not address — the U.S. military reported that commercial ship traffic continued through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, with 55 merchant vessels moving large cargo loads and over 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.
The timing of the transits was not specified.
These transits began after the interim U.S.–Iran agreement was signed earlier in the week, a development that has raised numerous unanswered questions.
Israeli attacks in Lebanon kill at least 16
A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press that Tehran has warned it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless Israel publicly announces a comprehensive cease‑fire in Lebanon and ends its military operations there. The official requested anonymity, citing lack of authorization to speak publicly.
Israel did not issue an immediate comment.
Earlier Saturday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people, including two children, shortly after reports of a cease‑fire agreement. Seven individuals were reported trapped beneath rubble following strikes on the city of Nabatiyeh and surrounding villages, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Lebanon’s health ministry later reported that the death toll from the latest Israel‑Hezbollah war has exceeded 4,000.
Mediators scrambled to halt the fighting after a heavy exchange on Friday that killed at least 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers.
An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously per regulations, said Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight. Israel’s army reported striking dozens of Hezbollah targets, including command centers, across southern Lebanon.
On Friday, Israeli ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter said Israel remains firmly committed to an immediate cease‑fire if Hezbollah honors the agreement and halts hostilities.
On Saturday, Hezbollah said it had pledged to the cease‑fire but accused Israel of violating it several times Friday night, and its military wing warned it would comply with the cease‑fire while repelling any Israeli attacks.
The conflict could sink the US-Iran deal
A new round of U.S.-backed talks between the Lebanese government and Israel is scheduled to take place in Washington next week.
Hezbollah and Israel entered into war two days after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, with Hezbollah launching rockets and drones at northern Israel and Israel seizing extensive areas of southern Lebanon.
Neither Israel nor Hezbollah are signatories to the agreement, which calls for an end to military operations in Lebanon and respects the country’s sovereignty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to maintain Israeli forces in southern Lebanon until any threat to Israel is eliminated. Hezbollah insists it will not cease attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawing from Lebanon, a condition Iran says is also required for the deal.
Fighting continues near the Israel-Lebanon border
A strike on Barish village killed four family members — parents and their two children. In Arab Salim village, a body was recovered from a destroyed house. Drone attacks in Doueir and Kfar Rumman killed a motorcyclist and a Lebanese soldier. Nine additional people died in strikes on Qannarit, Sohmor, and Shehour villages.
Smoke billowed over southern Lebanon as Israeli jets flew low over the coastal city of Tyre. Residents told The Associated Press they were relieved that Tyre had been spared in recent days, but the latest fighting reminded them that the war is far from over.
“Our entire lives would change if there’s a cease‑fire,” said resident Hussein Khoshman.
Mr. Netanyahu’s office did not immediately comment on cease‑fire efforts.
Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Israeli forces are operating in a forward defense zone and will continue to do so.
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