The U.S. and Iranian negotiators have traveled to Switzerland, preparing for the next round of U.S.-Iran talks. The main mediator, Pakistan, stated that technical negotiations will commence this Sunday, with Qatar also joining the mediation process. Previously, Iran had briefly postponed the talks due to the resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Vance is en route to Switzerland but indicated he would only stay for "one or two days." The Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Kalibaf, including Foreign Minister Aghajani as well as officials from the central bank and oil sector. Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif and Army Chief General Munir also departed for Switzerland late Saturday evening.
Lebanon has now re-established a ceasefire—Trump said this was achieved after he pressured Israel to agree to a truce. However, this ceasefire remains extremely fragile, as violent attacks resumed overnight. On Saturday, Iran announced it would once again close the Strait of Hormuz, warning that progress in negotiations may be impossible if the conflict continues. Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command reported that commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz saw "an increase" on Saturday, thanks to U.S. military support, and emphasized that passage through the strait remains safe and unimpeded. Trump issued a new threat: if a final agreement with Iran is not reached within 60 days, the U.S. will impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the funds would be used to "compensate for services provided by the guardian angels of the Middle East countries." The current agreement provides for a 60-day exemption from such fees.
In fact, the U.S.-Iran interim peace process nearly derailed—perhaps foreshadowing future developments. U.S. intelligence assesses that Netanyahu, under intense domestic pressure, is likely to continue military operations against Lebanon, thereby undermining Trump’s peace efforts.
Meanwhile, the United States and Qatar are taking steps to unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets, to be used for humanitarian purposes. This incentive measure could help advance nuclear talks. However, the sanctions relief and other economic benefits granted to Iran under the peace agreement may ultimately benefit Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps significantly.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Hamenei has expressed reservations about the interim U.S.-Iran peace agreement, emboldening hardliners within Iran who oppose any concessions to the United States. Mojtaba appears to have shifted responsibility for the agreement to the relatively moderate President Pezeshkian, who is currently facing fierce criticism from the hardline faction, which believes war with the U.S. could erupt again at any moment. Supporters of Mojtaba argue that Iranian negotiators must continue pressuring to secure control over the Strait of Hormuz, and that if the agreement does not include this demand, Iran should walk away from negotiations. The U.S.-Iran deal has also drawn opposition from various political factions within Israel, which advocate military action against Iran to weaken Iran and its “resistance axis” alliance, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868578463342603/
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