U.S. and Iranian officials arrived in Switzerland on Sunday for direct talks aimed at advancing a framework agreement signed last week to end months of conflict and lay the groundwork for a broader peace settlement.
The negotiations, taking place at the Bürgenstock mountain resort, come after both countries signed an initial accord that commits the parties to reaching a final agreement within 60 days and ending hostilities across multiple fronts, including in Lebanon. The agreement also calls for the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the breakthrough, tensions remain high in the region. Ongoing clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon have complicated efforts to stabilize the situation. Iran announced over the weekend that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to continued fighting, although maritime tracking data indicated that commercial vessels were still transiting the waterway.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation, said Washington hopes the talks will produce progress on Iran’s nuclear program and help address the escalating violence in Lebanon.
“We are looking for meaningful progress on the key outstanding issues,” Vance said.
Joining the U.S. delegation are Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Iran’s delegation includes Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Switzerland late Saturday.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir are also participating in the discussions. Pakistan has played a mediating role throughout the conflict and previously hosted negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The talks follow the signing of an initial peace agreement earlier this week by the U.S. and Iranian presidents. The accord called for an immediate end to the war and outlined a proposed $300 billion reconstruction package for Iran. It also included a commitment by the United States to lift all sanctions imposed on Tehran.
However, one of the central issues behind the conflict — Iran’s nuclear program — remains unresolved and is expected to dominate the negotiations. Under the terms of the preliminary agreement, both sides have up to 60 days, with a possible extension, to reach a comprehensive settlement.
While diplomatic efforts continue, violence has persisted in Lebanon.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire last Friday, but deadly clashes have continued in several areas. Israeli officials have maintained that their military campaign against Hezbollah is separate from the broader conflict involving Iran.
Israel launched military operations alongside the United States on Feb. 28, citing security concerns related to Iran. The conflict expanded into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following a strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader.
Israel responded with a large-scale bombing campaign across Lebanon and deployed forces into southern parts of the country. Israeli authorities have said the objective is to push Hezbollah fighters away from the northern border and have indicated they do not intend to withdraw from territory currently under their control.
The Switzerland talks are widely viewed as a critical test of whether the preliminary agreement can be transformed into a lasting peace arrangement and prevent a wider regional conflict.
