Location at a glance
Talks between Iran and USA start – Vance optimistic
Updated June 21, 2026 – 4:59 amReading time: 3 minutes
It’s about Tehran’s nuclear program and an end to the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel: Today, representatives of the USA and Iran in Switzerland want to come closer to finding solutions to these delicate problems.
Overshadowed by the fighting between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, high-level talks between the warring parties are scheduled to take place in Switzerland today USA and Iran start. The aim is to flesh out the framework agreement signed last week to end the Iran war. According to the framework agreement, a final agreement, including on how to deal with Tehran’s controversial nuclear program, should be negotiated within 60 days.
Especially the fights in Lebanon had recently caused tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran therefore announced on Saturday that it would be closing Strait of Hormuz. The strait had just been gradually reopened as a result of the framework agreement.
US Vice President Vance expects progress
In addition to the warring parties, representatives of the mediators are also expected to take part in today’s talks in the luxury resort of Bürgenstock, not far from Lucerne Pakistan and Qatar take part. Vice President JD Vance traveled for the USA. He expressed cautious optimism before departure: “I think we will hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue and also make progress on the issue of the ceasefire in Lebanon,” he said.
Vance also said that the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushneras well as US special envoy Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland. They handled technical aspects of these negotiations. According to his impression, things were going well.

On the Iranian side, Parliament President Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to take part as negotiator. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, among others, traveled to represent Pakistan as mediator. It was initially unclear how long the talks at negotiator level should last. It seemed conceivable, for example, that after an initial kick-off, working groups would be formed for certain topics, which would then continue to negotiate at a lower level.
Originally, a first round of talks was supposed to have taken place in Switzerland on Friday, but this did not take place due to mutual attacks by the Israeli army and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah.
Trump threatens US toll in Strait of Hormuz
The agreement, signed separately on Wednesday evening, provides, among other things, for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the US naval blockade. In addition, Iran is not allowed to charge fees for passage during the 60-day negotiations, as threatened. According to Pakistani information, the agreement came into force with “immediate effect”.