Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism that negotiations with Iran would commence on Sunday in Switzerland, although he noted that the situation remains uncertain. Initially scheduled to begin on Friday, the talks were postponed due to delays in Iran's delegation flight amid ongoing fighting in Lebanon. Following confirmation from Iran's foreign ministry that the delegation departed on Saturday, Vance indicated that discussions might start on Sunday, contingent on various factors.
Vance stated, "That may happen as soon as [Sunday], but these things are always a little bit in flux." He mentioned that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland addressing technical aspects of the negotiations. Vance also highlighted that the U.S. had successfully transported 16 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a record amount since the conflict began.
Simultaneously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing the U.S.'s failure to uphold commitments as the reason. Vance reported that negotiations were progressing well based on his discussions with Kushner and Witkoff, and he anticipated joining the talks in the coming days, although he acknowledged uncertainty regarding the timeline due to diplomatic protocols.
He remarked on his unfamiliarity with diplomatic protocols, stating, "I don’t really understand these things. I’ve never been a particularly into diplomatic protocols." Fighting in Lebanon remains a significant concern for the negotiations, with Israel not directly involved but under U.S. pressure to cease hostilities against Hezbollah as part of the agreement. Despite a renewed ceasefire on Friday, exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah continue.