Hormuz and Lebanon, Tehran's two levers
The Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon: two key military-diplomatic "weapons" Iran intends to wield to strengthen its position in negotiations with the United States, which are set to unfold over 60 days according to the memorandum signed Wednesday by both parties.
Iran announced on Saturday that it was once again "closing" the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon, while stopping short of breaking off talks aimed at reaching a final agreement with the US, which are due to begin Sunday in Switzerland.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaïl Baghaï warned the United States on Saturday that the initial protocol would be "at risk" if its provisions were not implemented swiftly, in an apparent reference to the situation in Lebanon.
"We hold Washington directly responsible for the Israeli attacks against Lebanon, and this escalation threatens regional security and stability," Baghaï stated, adding, in a barely veiled threat directed at the Trump administration, that Tehran would take all necessary measures to protect its interests, its security, and the rights of its allies.
Meanwhile, the news agency Tasnim, affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards, called for the suspension of negotiations and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
On Saturday evening, the Iranian army's central command stepped in with its own propaganda move, announcing that "the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to maritime traffic" as a "first measure in response to the enemy's violation of its commitments" (a reference to the US). It threatened to take "further measures" if necessary "to compel the enemy (the US) to honor its obligations" under the memorandum of understanding.
CNN, citing a source, reported that Washington had informed Tehran that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire following the strikes on Lebanon, and that it was now up to Hezbollah to halt its attacks.
In an initial response, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that its forces remained "vigilant." According to CENTCOM, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued normally on Saturday, with 55 merchant vessels passing through.
"Technical talks" Sunday in Switzerland
Regardless, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that "technical" discussions between Iranian and American officials would take place Sunday in Switzerland, with representatives from Qatar and Pakistan — the mediating countries — also present.
Members of the Iranian delegation include chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as Speaker of Parliament, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, according to state television.
Islamabad confirmed that these "technical talks" would take place Sunday in Bürgenstock, near Lake Lucerne.
According to US Vice President J. D. Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are already in Switzerland to "manage some of the technical elements of this negotiation."
"Preparatory" discussions even began on Saturday among diplomats, according to Bern.
More than 4,000 dead in Lebanon
In Lebanon, despite fresh ceasefire announcements, Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement have been clashing for two days in the south, where Israeli operations killed at least 24 people on Saturday, following 83 deaths the day before.
Israeli operations in Lebanon have killed 4,057 people since the war between Hezbollah and Israel began on March 2, Lebanon's Health Ministry announced Saturday.
The Israeli military announced that one of its soldiers was killed Saturday during fighting in southern Lebanon, bringing its total losses to five since the conclusion of an Iran-US agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Iran.
Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah positions in retaliation for attacks on its troops. According to the Israeli military, "more than 50 projectiles" were fired by the Shiite organization at its soldiers overnight from Friday to Saturday.
For its part, Hezbollah declared that Israel was "fully responsible" for the ceasefire violations.
The "Ali al-Taher" stronghold
The Israelis announced details on Saturday about ongoing military operations, stating that "dozens of Hezbollah fighters are trapped in tunnels beneath the hill of Ali al-Taher, in southern Lebanon."
The newspaper Yediot Ahronoth, citing military sources, reported that the Israeli army has besieged dozens of Hezbollah fighters in the area, which the military says houses a central underground complex belonging to the pro-Iranian militia, as well as the headquarters of the Badr Brigade.
The newspaper added that the operation, during which a tank crew and a battalion commander were killed, aimed to seize the tunnels in the Ali al-Taher area as part of ongoing military operations.
The Ali al-Taher site, where launch systems are operational and large quantities of weapons are stored, is extremely difficult to target through airstrikes alone, given its depth and fortifications.
Vance's message to Lebanese Christians
On a separate front, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance addressed Lebanese Christians during a Fox News interview, urging them to "hold firmly to their faith in Jesus Christ." He added: "Know that you have many friends within the U.S. government who are working toward peace in the region."
Vance explained that "the core problem facing these Christians, or the reason for their great vulnerability to violence, is the presence of Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that has effectively embedded itself in Lebanon. Hezbollah occasionally fires on Israelis, who naturally respond in self-defense." He went on to say: "So there is an ongoing, albeit low-intensity conflict. However, the situation has improved significantly in recent weeks thanks to the efforts of the President, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and many other administration officials."
He concluded: "Peace sometimes takes time to take lasting hold, and that is what we are working toward. In truth, that is the goal we are pursuing throughout the entire region: changing the way we have acted in the past. It is a truly beautiful part of the world."