Iran on June 20 announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and warned that the round of negotiations with the US to be held in Switzerland on a temporary agreement between the two countries could hardly achieve much progress if the fighting does not end.
In response, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on transportation through the Strait of Hormuz if the US and Iran do not reach a final agreement within 60 days. Mr. Trump said that this revenue will be used to pay for the protection services that the US provides as protection for Middle Eastern countries.
In a post on social media, Mr. Trump emphasized that the current temporary agreement stipulates that ships are allowed to travel free of charge through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of 60 days.
The above statements show that the US-Iran technical negotiation round, scheduled to begin on June 21 with the mediation role of Pakistan and the participation of Qatari mediators, will have a difficult start.
Iran's Joint Military Command said that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is in response to the US's "clear breach of commitments" for not ending the fighting. According to Iran, the interim agreement is designed to prevent fighting on all fronts.
Not long after the above announcement, Iranian state television reported that the country's negotiating delegation had departed for Switzerland, after the trip was postponed from June 19.
Iranian state media reported that the delegation included Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and officials in charge of the central bank and the oil sector. According to the temporary agreement, Iran's frozen assets will be disbursed.
However, the US side rejected Iran's statement about closing the Strait of Hormuz. "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime operations are still taking place normally and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure that it continues to be maintained" - Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesman for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), said.
The US military said that 55 merchant ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, transporting more than 17 million barrels of oil.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, negotiations towards a final agreement will only begin when key commitments are fully implemented. Otherwise, "the entire memorandum of understanding will be put in danger".
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that 2 senior negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are in Switzerland to handle technical issues for the expected negotiations related to Iran's nuclear program.
According to the interim agreement, the parties have 60 days to reach a formal nuclear agreement, but this deadline can be extended.
Mr. Vance said that he plans to go to Switzerland "in the next few days".
In an effort to restore direct dialogue, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on June 20, according to officials in Islamabad.
