Geneva, Jun 21 (V7N) – High-level talks between the United States and Iran are set to begin in Switzerland despite escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and continued clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border.

The diplomatic meeting comes after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had closed the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz following Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. However, the United States rejected the claim, insisting that commercial shipping through the waterway remains normal.

According to international media reports, U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland early Sunday to participate in the direct negotiations. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had arrived in the country on Saturday night ahead of the talks.

The negotiations are also being attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, with Pakistan continuing its role as a mediator in efforts to ease regional tensions.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Islamabad remains committed to supporting the implementation of agreements reached between Washington and Tehran and will continue facilitating dialogue between the two sides.

Speaking ahead of the talks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the discussions would focus on Iran's nuclear programme and the implementation of the recently announced ceasefire framework concerning Lebanon. He added that while the regional security situation had shown signs of improvement, continued diplomatic engagement would be essential to maintaining stability.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said Tehran would insist that all parties fulfill their commitments under the previous understandings and would seek concrete guarantees during the negotiations.

Earlier this week, the United States and Iran reached a preliminary agreement aimed at advancing a broader ceasefire framework covering several regional conflict zones, including Lebanon. The two sides are expected to work toward a final agreement within the next 60 days.

However, the security situation remains volatile as fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continues. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, at least 47 people have been killed in recent Israeli strikes.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they had carried out attacks on approximately 80 Hezbollah targets, claiming to have killed dozens of militants. The Israeli military also confirmed that four of its soldiers were killed during recent operations.

Amid the continued violence, the IRGC renewed its call for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of failing to implement the first article of the 14-point memorandum of understanding, which called for an immediate and lasting halt to military operations across all conflict zones, including Lebanon.

Washington, however, dismissed Tehran's assertion, stating that Iran alone does not possess the capability to shut down the vital shipping route and that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continues without disruption.

END/SMA/AJ