US and Iranian officials have begun face-to-face negotiations in Switzerland following an initial agreement aimed at ending ongoing conflict, including fighting in Lebanon and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials from the United States and Iran have commenced direct discussions in Switzerland after finalizing an initial agreement last week intended to conclude the ongoing war. The agreement includes a commitment to finalize a comprehensive deal within 60 days, cessation of hostilities on "all fronts," including in Lebanon, and the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the peace negotiations, tensions escalated as Iran announced on Saturday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route, following renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group in Lebanon. However, tracking data indicated that ships continued to navigate through the strait, suggesting that the closure may not be fully enforced.
In the wake of the talks, President Donald Trump took to social media, stating that Iran must immediately halt its proxy forces in Lebanon from causing unrest. He further threatened to impose severe repercussions on Iran if they did not comply.
Prior to the commencement of the discussions, Vice-President JD Vance expressed hope for progress regarding the nuclear issue and the situation in Lebanon, while Iranian officials indicated they would demand that the U.S. uphold its commitments. At the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, Vance remarked that Trump had instructed negotiators to "turn over a new leaf," emphasizing that if Iran's leadership was willing to abandon its role in regional instability and its nuclear ambitions, the U.S. would be open to fundamentally altering its relationship with Iran.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated that the negotiations for a final agreement hinged on the enforcement of existing commitments, particularly the cessation of military operations. He noted that the discussions on Sunday mainly concentrated on implementation aspects of the initial deal.
Joining Vance at the talks were Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The Iranian delegation included Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, and Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, who arrived in Switzerland on Saturday.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the head of the country's armed forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, also participated in the discussions. Pakistan has acted as a mediator throughout the conflict and previously hosted negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
The initial agreement, signed earlier this week by the U.S. and Iranian presidents, aims for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Under this arrangement, Iran is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential for the transport of 20% of the world's oil and natural gas. The strait's closure had previously led to increased fuel prices and disruptions in the global economy, while the U.S. agreed to lift its military blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports.
The deal also encompasses a $300 billion plan for the reconstruction of Iran and the termination of all U.S. sanctions against the country. However, the nuclear program remains a contentious issue that has yet to be fully negotiated. During Trump's first term, he withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran and reimposed economic sanctions.
Although the initial agreement called for a halt to fighting on all fronts, violence has persisted, particularly between Israel and Hezbollah. Since the signing of the deal, Israeli air strikes have reportedly resulted in at least 67 fatalities, while Hezbollah's actions have led to the deaths of five Israeli soldiers.
Iran accused both the U.S. and Israel of breaching the ceasefire and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response. Nevertheless, maritime tracking data indicated that some vessels continued to enter and exit the strait on Sunday, with four tankers reported to have passed through by late afternoon. Additionally, four other cargo or carrier ships that had been stationary on the western approach to the strait since late last week were observed heading eastward, while another four vessels were seen departing from the strait towards the west after leaving Iranian coastal waters.
It is important to note that tracking data may not capture every movement, as some vessels may have turned off their tracking devices. Israel maintains that its conflict with Hezbollah is distinct from its ongoing war with Iran, which began alongside U.S. involvement on February 28.
The conflict drew Lebanon into hostilities shortly thereafter, following Hezbollah's retaliation against an Israeli strike that killed Iran's supreme leader. In response, Israel launched a bombing campaign throughout Lebanon, occupying approximately 5% of the southern territory in an effort to push Hezbollah fighters away from its northern border, stating it has no plans to withdraw.
According to Lebanon's health ministry, since March 2, the conflict has resulted in 4,057 deaths in Lebanon, while Israeli authorities report that at least 34 Israeli soldiers and four civilians in northern Israel have also lost their lives during the ongoing violence.
