The United States and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap towards a comprehensive settlement, following the first round of high-level negotiations at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland. According to a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar, the talks produced a direct communication line for the Strait of Hormuz to prevent incidents and ensure safe passage for commercial vessels, and a “de-confliction cell” involving the parties, Lebanon, and the mediators to enforce the cessation of military operations in Lebanon. Technical working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions, and dispute resolution are to continue discussions throughout the week, while a newly established High-Level Committee will provide political oversight.

Viewed from Washington, the negotiations were led by Vice President JD Vance, who described the process as productive and stressed the administration’s willingness to “turn over a new leaf” if Iran abandoned its nuclear weapons ambitions and regional destabilisation. However, President Donald Trump issued public threats during the talks, warning Iran to stop its “proxies” in Lebanon or face renewed attacks, and suggesting the US could take control of the Strait of Hormuz. A US diplomat involved in the discussions told Reuters that the Iranian delegation never left the venue and that talks covered the Strait, Lebanon, nuclear issues, and implementation of the interim memorandum of understanding. The White House did not immediately comment on the conclusion of the high-level segment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi characterised the outcome as “major progress,” crediting Pakistani and Qatari mediation. He stated on social media that Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets, and the launch of a reconstruction and development programme. Araghchi identified the Lebanon de-confliction cell as the “first real test” of the understandings. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the delegation temporarily refused to return to the negotiating room after Trump’s threats became public, but indirect exchanges continued through mediators. Iranian officials maintained that nuclear discussions could advance only once other provisions of the memorandum, including sanctions relief, were implemented.

The Strait of Hormuz communication line and the Lebanon mechanism address two flashpoints that have threatened to derail the diplomatic process. Iran had reimposed a blockade of the strait in protest over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, while US officials disputed claims of a full closure. Global oil prices, which had surged during the blockade, fell further after the mediators’ statement, with Brent crude trading below $80 per barrel. In Lebanon, a fragile calm held on Sunday, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted troops would remain in a southern security zone, and Hezbollah rejected any permanent Israeli presence. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed the monitoring cell in a call with Vance and Qatari mediators. The talks are the first formal review of progress under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last week, which extended a tenuous ceasefire and set a 60-day deadline for a final agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions, frozen assets, and broader regional security. Technical delegations remain in Switzerland to continue detailed negotiations.