US Vice President JD Vance stated on Tuesday that recent talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland have laid a “good foundation for a successful final deal” aimed at permanently ending the conflict that erupted between the United States and Israel and Iran in late February. The negotiations follow an interim agreement signed last week by US and Iranian leaders, which sets a 60-day deadline to address critical issues, including the future of Iran’s nuclear program—a point of international concern over potential military applications, which Tehran denies.

During the discussions, US officials reported progress on several fronts. Among these was the establishment of mechanisms designed to ensure the continued openness of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passageway that Iran effectively blocked following the US and Israeli attacks in late February. This closure led to significant spikes in fuel prices in the region. The interim accord was intended to reopen the strait, and dozens of vessels reportedly transited the waterway over the weekend, despite the presence of mines and the continued closure of the main shipping route.

Another key focus of the talks involved managing hostilities between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. Current reports suggest that a ceasefire in that area is holding, contributing to a reduction in regional tensions.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and chief negotiator for the Iranian delegation, emphasized Iran’s intent to manage the Strait of Hormuz under international law. He expressed hope that the strait’s reopening would help restore stability and prosperity to both the regional and global economies.

US officials have conveyed a cautious optimism about maintaining respect and avoiding escalation, with Vance and other representatives underscoring this approach as critical to sustaining peace moving forward. The next two months will be pivotal as both sides work to finalize terms that could end months of conflict and uncertainty in a volatile region.