Tehran closes Strait of Hormuz ahead of US-Iran talks in Switzerland

AI Summary

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions related to an interim agreement with the United States and ongoing conflicts involving Israel in Lebanon. Despite upcoming technical-level talks in Switzerland involving Pakistan and Qatari mediators, the prospects for significant progress remain low.

Iran dealt two quick blows to the interim agreement with the United States on Saturday, angered by Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon, saying it had closed the Strait of Hormuz and announcing that while its negotiators were going to Switzerland for talks, not much is likely to happen there. Key mediator Pakistan, meanwhile, said the technical-level talks will begin on Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, with Qatari mediators also taking part. In Tehran’s first salvo, Iran’s joint military...