Tension reduced in Middle East after US-Iran peace agreement, traffic increased in Strait of Hormuz

Washington. Vice President J.D. Vance did not fly to Switzerland Thursday night for talks on next steps after the US President and Iranian President signed a 14-point peace deal in Paris, France.

This has been confirmed by the White House. However, after the signature of both the Presidents, the tension in the Middle East has reduced to a great extent and the way for nuclear program talks with Iran has been cleared.

According to reports by CBS News and Al Jazeera, Vance’s travel postponement has not affected the movement of oil tankers and ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Hormuz has opened after the signature of both the Presidents. There has been a sudden increase in traffic.

Vice President J.D. Vance did not leave for Switzerland late Thursday to help start talks with Iran, a White House spokesman told reporters.

The spokesperson said that Vance had said in the press conference that the plan for technical talks has not been decided yet. According to the report, both sides are planning to hold technical talks.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has informed Congress leaders about the Iran deal. A White House spokesperson said senior Trump administration officials spoke about the agreement in a phone call with House and Senate leaders.

Officials called the top lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Senior officials also answered the questions of the lawmakers and outlined the upcoming talks between the US and Iran.

Meanwhile, Iranian Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its security zone in southern Lebanon despite the US agreement with Iran. Hezbollah has said that the Israeli army will have to leave Lebanese soil.

On the other hand, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) says that it has lifted the blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran says that the responsibility of issuing permits to commercial ships passing through Hormuz has been entrusted to its ‘Persian Gulf Strait Authority’.