Direct negotiations between the United States and Iran are set to begin in Switzerland, despite Iran's military announcing the closure of the Hormuz Strait as a reaction to Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The US military has dismissed Iran's claims, asserting that maritime traffic continues unabated.

Iran's announcement regarding the closure of the Hormuz Strait was framed as a response to what it perceives as violations of agreements between Iran and the US aimed at ending hostilities. On June 20, US Vice President JD Vance departed Washington for Switzerland to participate in the talks, accompanied by an Iranian delegation that includes Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The new round of negotiations is expected to commence on June 21.

Vance expressed hopes for progress on both the nuclear issue and the ceasefire in Lebanon. Speaking to the press before his flight, he noted that the situation was improving and stabilizing. He emphasized the importance of ensuring safety and stability for both Israel and Lebanon, aiming for broader regional security.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, indicated that Iran would demand the other side fulfill its commitments. Complicating matters, clashes continue between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia operating in southern Beirut. On June 20, at least 47 people were reported killed in Lebanon following a series of Israeli airstrikes, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stating they targeted 80 Hezbollah-related sites and killed 'dozens' of its members. Four Israeli soldiers were also reported dead.

Despite the ongoing conflict, a ceasefire was confirmed between the two sides on June 19. Before reaching this agreement, Israel had stated it had no intention of withdrawing its forces from Lebanon, asserting that its conflict with Hezbollah was separate from its actions against Iran. Hezbollah accused Israeli strikes in Lebanon of undermining the broader agreement between the US and Iran.

The US government criticized Israel's ongoing military actions in Lebanon, which escalated after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for airstrikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that over 4,000 people have died since the renewed conflict began on March 2.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that Israeli airstrikes violated ceasefire commitments and reiterated that the Hormuz Strait, which had reopened following the US-Iran agreement to end hostilities, was now closed. Iran justified its decision to close the strait by accusing the US of violating the initial terms of a 14-point memorandum between the two nations, which called for an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon.

In response to Iran's declaration, Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that maritime traffic continues and that US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure it remains stable. He emphasized that Iran does not control the Hormuz Strait, which saw 55 commercial vessels pass through on June 20, transporting over 17 million barrels of oil to global markets. Monitoring data revealed that at least five oil tankers traversed the strait on that day, although some vessels appeared to turn back.

The Hormuz Strait is a crucial maritime route for major oil and liquefied natural gas producers in the Middle East and their global customers. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), approximately 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products are expected to pass through the Hormuz Strait daily by 2025, representing nearly $600 billion in energy trade annually.