US and Iran Open High-Stakes Peace Talks at Swiss Resort

The Buergenstock resort, fortified by armed guards and restricted access, serves as the backdrop for negotiations aimed at cementing a 60-day truce brokered by Pakistan. While President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masokh Pezeshkian signed an interim deal Wednesday, the atmosphere remains volatile. Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have shuttered the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for Israeli strikes, though U.S. Central Command confirmed that 55 merchant vessels transited the waterway on Saturday, carrying over 17 million barrels of oil.

Progress hinges on the nuclear file and the stability of the Lebanon front. Despite a declared ceasefire, Israeli forces and Hezbollah exchanged fire throughout the weekend. Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, accused the U.S. of failing to honor the agreement’s core demand for a total cessation of hostilities. Meanwhile, the Israeli government continues to assert its right to defend its positions in occupied Lebanese territory, operating outside the framework of the U.S.-Iran deal. As Vance arrives with a team including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, the disparity between diplomatic rhetoric and the reality on the ground remains stark, with Israeli public sentiment reflecting deep skepticism toward the current military outcomes.