Chicago – June 21, 2026
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with top Iranian officials Sunday at the Burgenstock Resort to negotiate technical details of a fragile interim deal aimed at ending the war in Iran. The high-level talks, mediated by Pakistani and Qatari diplomats, focus on Tehran’s nuclear program and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
Vance expressed optimism about the opportunity to “turn over a new leaf” with Iran. However, President Donald Trump simultaneously threatened Tehran from Washington, demanding Iran halt its support for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder”.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned the U.S. to “be careful with their statements” while citing Lebanon’s conflict as his delegation’s top priority. The negotiations represent a 60-day sprint to finalize technical agreements with massive implications for global security. Iran previously threatened to close the strategic waterway, though the U.S. Central Command stated Iran does not control it.
