U.S.-Iran talks to begin Sunday as 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-as-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 as Tehran closes the strait over Lebanon fighting World Jun 20, 2026 3:18 PM EDT TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — Iran on Saturday said it closed the Strait of Hormuz because of Israel's attacks in Lebanon and warned that while negotiators were going to Switzerland for talks with the United States on their interim agreement, not much likely will happen if the fighting doesn't stop. Key mediator Pakistan said technical-level talks will begin Sunday, with Qatari mediators also participating. WATCH: Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire as deadly fighting threatens U.S.-Iran deal Iran's joint military command said the strait was closed because of the U.S. "clear breach of its commitments" by failing to end the war. The interim deal is meant to stop fighting on all fronts. Shortly after that, Iran's state broadcaster said the negotiating team was leaving for Switzerland, a trip delayed from Friday. State media said the team includes parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and central bank and oil officials, among others. The deal calls for Iran's assets to be unfrozen. The U.S. disputed Iran's announcement on the strait. "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues to flow, and U.S. forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case," said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command. The military said 55 merchant ships transited Saturday with more than 17 million barrels of oil. Iran's team departs for talks as uncertainty grows Negotiations toward a final agreement will begin once key commitments are upheld, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said. If they are not, "the memorandum of understanding as a whole will be jeopardized." U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that top negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were in Switzerland and working through technical details of anticipated negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. The interim deal gives negotiators 60 days to reach a nuclear agreement, but that can be extended. READ MORE: Residents return to war-ravaged southern Lebanon with hope and sorrow after the U.S.-Iran deal Vance told Fox News that he expects to leave for Switzerland in "the next couple of days." As part of efforts to revive 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 of the sensitivity of the issue. The global economy braced for more