Despite mutual accusations of violations, the US and Iran have each sent senior officials to talks in Switzerland because both have vested interests in ending the conflict, said Sina Azodi, director of the Middle East Program at George Washington University. Azodi said Iran views Israeli strikes on Lebanon as breaching a memorandum of understanding, while Washington could interpret Tehran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz as a breach; Tehran may be testing whether Washington can rein in Is

Despite mutual accusations of violations, the US and Iran have each sent senior officials to talks in Switzerland because both have vested interests in ending the conflict, said Sina Azodi, director of the Middle East Program at George Washington University. Azodi said Iran views Israeli strikes on Lebanon as breaching a memorandum of understanding, while Washington could interpret Tehran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz as a breach; Tehran may be testing whether Washington can rein in Israel and halt hostilities in Lebanon.