Vance says he expects Switzerland trip in coming days for Iran talks as Hormuz closes again

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Saturday he expects to travel to Switzerland in the coming days for talks with Iran, telling Fox News that negotiations were going well.

His comments came minutes before Tehran announced another closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "I expect that I will leave some time the next couple of days, but it's always a delicate coordination dance," Vance said.

Why did Vance postpone his Switzerland trip?

Vance had unexpectedly postponed a planned trip two days earlier to discuss next steps on the U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending the Middle East war.

He said U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical elements of the talks and had reported that things were going well.

Pakistan separately said technical talks on implementing the agreement would be held on Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, with Pakistani and Qatari mediators joining U.S. and Iranian representatives.

Why did Iran close the Strait of Hormuz again?

Iranian state media reported that an Iranian negotiating team had left for Switzerland, after quoting foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, warning that the agreement was "in trouble."

Iran said it was closing the strait again over renewed Israeli attacks in Lebanon, accusing Washington of a "breach of contract" and Israel of violating a ceasefire in southern Lebanon.

The strait, one of the world's most important oil and gas shipping lanes, would be closed to vessel traffic as a result.

What is the status of the wider US-Iran agreement?

Iran had blockaded the Strait of Hormuz for much of the war, disrupting global energy markets, but had agreed to reopen it under the preliminary deal reached with Washington.

That agreement was meant to halt the wider regional conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have continued exchanging fire despite a renewed ceasefire announced Friday.

The Switzerland talks are intended to open a two-month negotiating period on unresolved issues, including Iran's nuclear programme.