U.S.-Iran talks to begin Sunday in Switzerland but Tehran closes the strait over Lebanon fighting

By — Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press By — Bassem Mroue, Associated Press Bassem Mroue, Associated Press By — Munir Ahmed, Associated Press Munir Ahmed, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-iran-talks-to-begin-sunday-in-switzerland-but-tehran-closes-the-strait-over-lebanon-fighting Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter U.S.-Iran talks to begin Sunday in Switzerland but Tehran closes the strait over Lebanon fighting World Jun 20, 2026 11:08 AM EDT TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — Iran dealt two quick blows to the interim agreement with the United States on Saturday, angered by Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon, saying it had closed the Strait of Hormuz and announcing that while its negotiators were going to Switzerland for talks, not much is likely to happen there. Key mediator Pakistan, meanwhile, said the technical-level talks will begin on Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, with Qatari mediators also participating. WATCH: Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire as deadly fighting threatens U.S.-Iran deal In Tehran's first salvo, Iran's joint military command said the strait had been closed, citing the Israeli attacks and U.S. "bad faith" and "clear breach of its commitments" by failing to end the war. Its statement on state television warned that "if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned." Shortly after that, the state broadcaster announced that Iran's negotiating team was going to Switzerland, a trip that had been originally planned for Friday. State media said the team includes parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and central bank and oil officials, among others. Iran's team departs for talks as uncertainty grows Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei, however, signaled that little might happen until Iran feels the U.S. is living up to the deal. "This trip is therefore about demanding that the other side fulfill its obligations," he said, adding that negotiations toward a final agreement will begin only once key commitments are upheld. If they are not, he said, "then the memorandum of understanding as a whole will be jeopardized." READ MORE: Residents return to war-ravaged southern Lebanon with hope and sorrow after the U.S.-Iran deal In Washington, Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the top U.S. negotiators — Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff — were already in Switzerland and have been working through technical details of the anticipated negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. Vance told Fox News that he expects to leave for Switzerland "sometime the next couple of days" but acknowledged that "it's always a delicate coordination dance." As part of efforts to revive the direct talks, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Araghchi in Tehran earlier Saturday, according to officials in Islamabad who spoke on condition of anonymity because