Negotiations between Iran and the United States on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding are continuing in Bürgenstock, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported
According to the ministry, on 20 June, the country continues to provide a ‘confidential and secure venue’ for the talks. At the same time, the ministry noted that ‘due to the closed nature of the meetings, no further information will be disclosed’.
The Swiss side did not specify the composition of the negotiating teams or the content of the talks.
Earlier, Axios reported that US President Donald Trump’s special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had travelled to Switzerland. It was also noted that Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who is currently in the country, may join the talks.
According to Axios, “the parties may move on to technical talks aimed at reaching a longer-term agreement”.
The memorandum of understanding, signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, lays the groundwork for 60 days of talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and the easing of sanctions.
At the same time, conservative figures in Iran have expressed scepticism regarding US intentions.
Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the ultra-conservative newspaper Kayhan, stated that “the Americans do not honour any commitments”. Some lawmakers have also expressed concern regarding potential international inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, according to various analysts, on 18 June the number of commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz reached 25, the highest figure since mid-April.
“The number of confirmed transits through the Strait of Hormuz reached 25 (on 18 June – ed.), indicating a significant increase in daily maritime activity,” wrote Kpler, a company specialising in shipping data, in a post on X on 19 June.
Although the rise in the number of crossings indicates an improvement in operating conditions, “unresolved details regarding the implementation and continuation” of “dark” crossings “point to a persistently high level of caution on the part of vessel operators”, notes Kpler.
Another maritime monitoring company, AXSMarine, confirmed this figure, adding that it had recorded the highest number of strait crossings since 18 April:
“Before the conflict, commercial traffic through the strait stood at around 110 crossings per day.”
According to AXSMarine, the average number of crossings since 1 March has been 7.6 per day.
The increase followed an agreement between Iran and the United States to keep the sea route open under a memorandum of understanding. Plans for talks in Switzerland on 19 June were cancelled, but this does not appear to have affected Iran’s intention to keep the Strait open.
The Iranian Persian Gulf Shipping Authority (PGSA) stated in a notice dated 19 June that it was waiving transit requirements for the 60-day negotiation period, but that vessels wishing to transit the strait must submit transit requests prior to arrival.
Following the US and Israeli strikes that sparked the war on 28 February, Iranian forces effectively closed the Strait. Before the war, it carried around 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas traffic.