US-Iran talks underway in Switzerland

By Nathan Morley

Direct talks between the United States and Iran opened in Switzerland, where negotiators have formed working groups on a final peace agreement, according to reports from the summit.

An Iranian delegation — including the parliamentary speaker and foreign minister — arrived in Bürgenstock late Saturday. U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived early Sunday and met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir, who are joining the talks.

Media reports suggest “considerable progress” has been made, though that has not been independently verified.

The talks come after Iran’s military said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

At least 47 people were killed Saturday in a series of Israeli air raids, Lebanese officials said.

On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said forces would operate “without any restrictions” to eliminate threats in Lebanon and would remain in the strip of territory Israel calls a security zone.

Iran has described a cease-fire in Lebanon as a red line and cited that as the reason for its claimed closure of the strait. However, the U.S. military said traffic continues to move through the waterway.

In other developments, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on X that he met Switzerland’s foreign minister in Bürgenstock to discuss the negotiations and the agency’s role.

Earlier in the week, the U.S. and Iranian presidents signed an initial agreement aimed at ending the war, including in Lebanon, with immediate effect. The deal commits both sides to further negotiations over the next 60 days.