US and Iran hold tense ceasefire talks in Switzerland
Negotiators discussed steps to end the war, with Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz, frozen assets and oil sanctions among the issues raised.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
US and Iranian negotiators completed a day of ceasefire talks in Switzerland as they worked through terms for an agreement to end the war, Al Jazeera reported. The discussions matter because they covered both immediate security risks and economic issues that have been central to the dispute.
Al Jazeera described the meeting as tense but constructive. The talks were briefly strained after US President Donald Trump threatened additional strikes on Iran if Tehran moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, according to the network.
Talks covered security and sanctions
The agenda included the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, frozen Iranian assets and oil sanctions, Al Jazeera reported in its live coverage. The network said negotiators also discussed creating a “de-confliction cell” intended to stop attacks in Lebanon.
Al Jazeera reported that Iran said “good progress” had been made on the release of Iranian assets and on oil sanctions. No final agreement was reported at the end of the day of talks.
Pakistan and Qatar said the US-Iran discussions were “positive” and “constructive,” according to Al Jazeera. The network did not report further details on the roles of the two countries in the talks.
Hormuz threat added pressure
The Strait of Hormuz became a point of strain during the talks after Trump’s warning about possible further US strikes, Al Jazeera reported. The report said the warning was tied to any Iranian move to close the waterway.
Despite that tension, negotiators continued efforts to work out details of a ceasefire arrangement, according to Al Jazeera. The network reported that the Switzerland meeting marked the first day of US talks covering Lebanon, Hormuz, frozen assets and related sanctions issues.
The reported plan for a de-confliction cell pointed to an effort to reduce the risk of further attacks in Lebanon while broader negotiations continued. Al Jazeera did not report the membership, location or operating timeline for such a cell.
The talks ended without a public announcement of a completed ceasefire deal, according to Al Jazeera’s account. The reported comments from Iran, Pakistan and Qatar suggested progress, while Trump’s warning showed that the negotiations remained fragile.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.