US and Iran finish Swiss talks as mediators report progress
Pakistan and Qatar mediated high-level US-Iran talks in Switzerland as tensions persisted over Hezbollah, Lebanon and sanctions relief.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
The United States and Iran completed a day of senior-level negotiations in Switzerland, with mediators reporting what Al Jazeera described as “encouraging progress.” The talks matter because they are part of a push to end the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, while linked disputes over Lebanon, sanctions and frozen assets remain unresolved.
Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan and Qatar mediated the discussions. The meeting took place at the Lake Lucerne Summit near Stansstad, Switzerland, where US Vice President JD Vance, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani were pictured at the opening of a quadrilateral meeting involving the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar.
According to Al Jazeera, the Switzerland talks are aimed at advancing a deal to end the wider Middle East conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The report said the diplomatic effort had been delayed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Sanctions and frozen assets discussed
Hussein Gurbanzadeh, identified by Al Jazeera as a member of Iran’s negotiating team, told Iranian state television that the first day of talks included discussion of frozen Iranian assets. He also said the parties discussed temporary relief from oil sanctions, according to the report.
No agreement was announced in the updates cited by Al Jazeera. The reported agenda, however, points to the economic issues Iran is seeking to place at the center of talks with Washington.
Threats and warnings over Hezbollah
The diplomacy unfolded alongside sharp public statements from Washington and Tehran. Al Jazeera reported that US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran “very hard again” over its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected Trump’s warning, according to Al Jazeera. Ghalibaf said the United States should be careful in its choice of words.
Lebanon also remained a flashpoint. Al Jazeera reported that Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would not withdraw from Lebanon.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said his group would respond to any Israeli violations of a ceasefire, according to Al Jazeera. Qassem also said Israeli troops would not remain in Lebanon.
Analysts weigh the goals of talks
Al Jazeera also featured political analyst Mahjoob Zweiri discussing the goals behind the US-Iran negotiations. The report did not provide details of his analysis in the cited update.
The talks brought together outside mediators, US and Iranian officials, and regional players with direct stakes in the conflict. For now, the public record from the first day shows movement on diplomacy, continued disagreement over Lebanon and no announced settlement.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.