US-Iran Negotiations Loom as Tensions Rise in the Strait of Hormuz

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 20 - On the evening of June 20, Beijing time, new setbacks arose in the U.S.-Iran negotiations. The Strait of Hormuz was suddenly closed the day before the negotiations, triggering a chain reaction among the parties involved and creating new pressure for the talks.

On that day, the Iranian military stated that due to reasons related to the United States and Israel, Iran decided to close the Strait of Hormuz. However, the U.S. military claimed that passage through the Strait of Hormuz was "safe and unobstructed" that day.

Almost simultaneously, the Iranian negotiating team set off for Switzerland, possibly including Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly Speaker Ghalibaf, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif, and others. U.S. Vice President Pence also stated he would travel to Switzerland for negotiations with Iran. Confirmed earlier was that U.S. President's Special Envoy Hook and President Trump's son-in-law Kushner would participate in the talks. Pakistan confirmed that technical-level negotiations between the U.S. and Iran would be held in Switzerland on the 21st.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei stated that Iran has fulfilled its commitments, and the U.S. is obligated to compel Israel to stop attacking Lebanon. The Iranian negotiating team will demand and confirm the U.S. fulfills its commitments in Switzerland; if the U.S. fails to deliver, the entire U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding will "face the risk of collapse."

Regarding the current actual passage status of the Strait of Hormuz, both the U.S. and Iran have differing accounts. The Iranian Armed Forces' Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a statement saying that due to Israel's continuous attacks on Lebanon, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said this move is a first step response to the enemy's treacherous actions. If the aggression continues, subsequent steps will be taken as planned. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stated that all vessels are prohibited from entering or approaching the Strait of Hormuz, or their safety will be threatened.

However, the U.S. military stated that it has not observed any military movements indicating Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz. Pence, in an interview with Fox News, said that there is currently no evidence that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and expressed confidence that the ceasefire arrangements in the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding can be maintained.

The U.S. Central Command issued a statement saying that the Strait of Hormuz was "safe and unobstructed" that day, with an increase in commercial shipping traffic. The statement noted that on the 20th, a total of 55 commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz, "transporting a large amount of goods and over 17 million barrels of crude oil to global markets."

As for the key factor prompting Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, Israeli media reported on the 20th that the Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister have instructed the Israeli military to cease fire in Lebanon, but the military will not withdraw from the southern Lebanon control area.