Behind the Scenes as US and Iran Try to Reset Relations

Two days of high-stakes talks between the US and Iran are stretching on in Switzerland, with both sides trading threats and promises. On one side, Iran has once again blocked the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global oil shipments—just days after agreeing to keep it open. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has fired off warnings, saying any repeat of the strait’s closure could lead to severe consequences. But behind closed doors, negotiators are working through a fragile deal meant to ease tensions for at least two months.The talks restarted after Iran insisted the US hadn’t kept its word on ending violence in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has displaced over a million people. Iran claims it shut the strait as leverage, but US officials argue the waterway isn’t fully closed—though shipping data shows far fewer ships passing through. The disagreement highlights how fragile these agreements really are. Even as talks continue, Trump’s aggressive online posts and Iran’s retaliatory moves keep the pressure on. What’s interesting is how both sides are playing the game. The US insists it’s open to improving relations, yet Trump’s threats contradict that message. Iran, meanwhile, uses the strait as a bargaining chip, despite the global risks of disrupting oil supplies. The real question is whether either side can stick to their promises—or if the talks will collapse before any real progress is made.