U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland set 60-day road map for final deal
15 reported2 unconfirmed2 conflicting
The United States and Iran, along with mediating parties Qatar and Pakistan, established a road map toward a final deal within 60 days during high-level talks Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, according to a joint statement from the mediating countries. The talks, which included U.S. Vice President JD Vance, were the first discussions under a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. The main outcome was the creation of a "High Level Committee" with political oversight of mediation, which agreed on the road map and laid the foundation for immediate technical talks on Iran's nuclear program, sanctions, and dispute resolution. The talks also established a deconfliction line between the parties and Lebanon, as fighting between Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel continued in southern Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on X that the meeting delivered "major progress to end [the] Lebanon War." The talks came as Tehran protested recent comments by President Donald Trump, which Iranian officials described as a serious violation of the agreement. Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. would "hit Iran very hard again" unless it stops its proxies in Lebanon, and in a Fox News interview he warned that if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will "blow the s— out of them." Trump described the memorandum of understanding as "just an option," saying, "I can do whatever I want after that option." Vance told the media that "great" progress had been made, and a senior U.S. diplomat said they anticipated working through the night. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an unusual warning to unspecified voices in Iran pressing for a return to conflict, stating that continuing the war "is not in the interest of any individual or group."
What’s reported
The U.S. and Iran, with Qatar and Pakistan mediating, held high-level talks Sunday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.
A joint statement from Qatar and Pakistan described the session as "positive" and "constructive."
The talks established a "High Level Committee" and a road map "towards reaching a final deal within 60 days."
The road map includes immediate technical talks on Iran's nuclear program, sanctions, and dispute resolution.
A deconfliction line between the parties and Lebanon was created.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said on X the meeting delivered "major progress to end [the] Lebanon War."
Iran protested President Trump's recent comments, calling them a "serious violation of the agreement."
Trump posted on Truth Social: "we'll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!"
In a Fox News interview, Trump said if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will "blow the s— out of them."
Trump said the memorandum of understanding is "just an option" and "I can do whatever I want after that option."
Vance said "great" progress had been made; a senior U.S. diplomat said they planned to work through the night.
Iranian President Pezeshkian warned against "internal rifts" in Iran, saying "we will destroy the country ourselves."
Iran said Saturday it closed the Strait of Hormuz; the U.S. military denied Iran's claim to control the strait.
Israel killed at least 16 people in Lebanon on Saturday, after strikes Friday killed 83, per Lebanon's Health Ministry.
Hezbollah said it adhered to the ceasefire; Israel said Hezbollah breached it and launched more than 50 projectiles.
Conflicting accounts
Iran said Saturday it closed the Strait of Hormuz; the U.S. military denied Iran's claim to control the strait.
Israel said Hezbollah breached the ceasefire and launched more than 50 projectiles; Hezbollah said it adhered to the ceasefire and accused Israel of making false claims to "sabotage the agreement" between Iran and the U.S.
Open questions
Which of Trump's statements the Iranian protest referred to is unclear.
Whether the Strait of Hormuz is actually open is uncertain.
Key figures
Vice President JD Vance (U.S.)
President Donald Trump (U.S.)
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Steve Witkoff (Trump's special envoy)
Jared Kushner (Trump's son-in-law)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei
Trey Yingst (Fox News reporter)
Sources: NBC News
