U.S.-Iran Technical Talks Resume as Maritime Tensions Persist in Strait of Hormuz

Diplomatic delegations from the United States and Iran have reconvened in Switzerland to address technical aspects of a potential nuclear and Lebanon-related settlement. Vice President JD Vance is traveling to join U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are reportedly shifting the focus from high-level political signaling to detailed implementation. Pakistan and Qatar are acting as mediators in the process, which briefly stalled before resuming this weekend. Simultaneously, a military dispute has emerged regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian military officials claimed to have closed the strategic waterway in retaliation for Israeli military actions in Lebanon. However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected these claims, confirming that maritime traffic continues to flow normally. U.S. officials reported that 55 commercial vessels, carrying over 17 million barrels of oil, safely transited the strait on Saturday. President Trump has added economic pressure to the negotiations, stating there will be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz for a 60-day ceasefire period. He signaled that any future tolls would be determined by the United States rather than regional actors. The talks remain fragile as Tehran continues to link progress on the nuclear file to developments in Lebanon and Israeli military activity.