War in the Middle East: Iran announces "close" the Strait of Hormuz again and sends a delegation to Switzerland to continue discussions

Iran announced on Saturday June 20, “close to maritime traffic” once again the strategic Strait of Hormuz, in retaliation for the deadly Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The central command of the Iranian army announced that it was a “first measure in response to the enemy’s violation of commitments“. Il a menacé “other measures” if necessary “to force the enemy to respect his obligations” contracted in the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday.

In a first reaction, the US Middle East Command (Centcom) indicated that its forces remained “vigilantes”. According to Centcom, crossings of the Strait of Hormuz continued safely on Saturday, with the passage of 55 merchant ships. At the start of the war, Iran blocked this sea route through which some 20% of the world’s hydrocarbons previously transited, causing a surge in oil prices and shortages. Its reopening constituted one of the key points of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding.

However, Tehran says it does not want to break off the discussions. Talks for a final agreement on the end of the conflict in the Middle East are due to begin in Switzerland on Sunday, in the presence of representatives from Qatar and Pakistan, mediator countries. Islamabad confirmed the holding of these “technical talks” Sunday in Bürgenstock, near Lake Lucerne.

According to US Vice President JD Vance, US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are already in Switzerland to “handling some of the technical elements of this negotiation”. JD Vance s’attend à partir “in the coming days” for Switzerland. “You know it’s always a delicate ballet of coordination and diplomatic protocols”he declared on Saturday to the Fox News channel. “The Qataris and Pakistanis want to do this the right way, so I try to be respectful.” The memorandum of understanding provides for the launch of negotiations lasting 60 days with a view to reaching a final agreement, which will be centered on the Iranian nuclear program.