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.
