U.S President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States could impose tolls on vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz if a final agreement with Iran failed. He also said no tolls would be imposed during the 60-day negotiation period under the latest memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.
“There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed, for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Iran had said on Saturday that it closed the Strait of Hormuz after Israel’s continuous strikes in Lebanon, threatening the finalisation of a long-standing peace deal. Tehran also said that the upcoming talks with Washington in Switzerland were unlikely to lead to much progress.
JD Vance arrives in Switzerland
U.S Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland early Sunday morning to lead the American delegation for the highly anticipated talks with top Iranian officials.
Iranian state media also showed footage of Tehran’s negotiating team arriving in the country. The Iranian delegation includes Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with senior central bank and oil officials.
Under the MoU, the United States agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets in return for Iran diluting its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Iran had withdrawn from the initial round of talks set in Switzerland on Friday after escalation of Israeli military aggression in Lebanon. The Associated Press news agency reported that negotiators from the United States and Qatar, with assistance from Iran, helped mediate an arrangement between Israel and the Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah to reduce hostilities.