Iran says ‘major progress’ to end Lebanon war during talks
Iran’s foreign minister said early Monday that Pakistani and Qatari mediation had delivered major progress toward ending the Lebanon war, while the two mediating nations said the first round of high-level talks between the United States and Iran had concluded. The United States has not yet commented.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks on X as delegations met overnight at a Swiss resort, shortly after US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Sunday, even as talks began in Switzerland between Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials on the next steps in implementing the interim agreement signed last week to end the war.
The US delegation is led by Vance and includes Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Iran’s team is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators.
On the eve of the talks, Tehran said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group. The interim agreement aims to halt fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, and Iran has said discussions must first address that issue.
The US says shipping traffic through the strategic waterway continues, while Trump has threatened to impose American tolls in the strait if a final agreement with Iran is not reached within 60 days. Other issues include unfreezing billions of dollars in Iranian assets and addressing Iran’s nuclear programme.
Pakistan and Qatar announce technical talks
High-level negotiations in Switzerland aimed at securing a permanent end to the Iran war ended early Monday, with lower-level technical talks scheduled for the rest of the week after Iran and the United States agreed to establish a “de-confliction cell” to address the fighting in Lebanon.
A joint statement from Pakistan and Qatar said the cell would include the Lebanese government and would “ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon.”
It remains unclear whether that will be enough to stop fighting between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia and Israel, which insists it must retain freedom of action against militants launching attacks into northern Israel.
The United States offered no immediate comment, while Iran praised the mediators’ efforts.
The talks marked the start of a 60-day diplomatic process aimed at reaching a permanent agreement to end the Iran war, though fighting in Lebanon remains a major obstacle.
Iran says mediation made major progress
Araghchi wrote on X that Pakistani and Qatari mediation had delivered “major progress” toward ending the Lebanon war.
Pakistan, Qatar and Iran all confirmed that the first round of high-level talks had concluded, though the United States had not commented.
Araghchi said the first real test of the understandings reached would be the effectiveness of the de-confliction mechanism in ending fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran has tied progress in the negotiations to ending the conflict in Lebanon. Israel, however, insists it will maintain its presence in occupied Lebanese territory and retain the ability to act against Hezbollah.
Negotiators expect overnight discussions
Negotiators were expected to work through the night, according to a senior US diplomat involved in the talks.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the diplomat said Iran remained engaged despite reports suggesting otherwise. Much of the discussion focused on clarifying Iran’s recent statements about the Strait of Hormuz and on mechanisms to ensure the strait remains open and a ceasefire in southern Lebanon is maintained.
Oil prices edge higher
Oil prices rose modestly Sunday amid continued uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and natural gas supplies.
US crude gained nearly 3% to $78.70 a barrel, while Brent crude rose just over 1% to $81.70.
Iran says oil, frozen assets also discussed
Members of Iran’s delegation told domestic media that Sunday’s talks focused mainly on Lebanon, but also covered the release of frozen Iranian assets and Iran’s oil exports.
Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the National Iranian Oil Company and a member of the delegation, said lifting oil-related sanctions and securing waivers were among the issues discussed.
Iran celebrates World Cup draw
Iranian media celebrated the national football team’s 0-0 World Cup draw with Belgium, highlighting goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand’s seven saves.
Some outlets shared images depicting Beiranvand “blocking” the Strait of Hormuz. Lead negotiator Qalibaf also posted one of the saves on X, writing: “This is how we protect our land.”
Netanyahu defends war aims
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed Iran’s government would eventually collapse as a result of the military campaign.
“I think we created the conditions for its future fall,” Netanyahu told the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem.
Syria rules out intervention
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Syria had no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon, saying Trump’s remarks suggesting Syria could help deal with Hezbollah had been misunderstood.
Israel eases border restrictions
Israel’s military said residents near the Lebanese border would be allowed to move freely from Monday after months of restrictions due to Hezbollah attacks.
The move came as a fragile ceasefire appeared to be holding, though Netanyahu reiterated that Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon.
Iran says talks enter difficult phase
Iran’s state news agency IRNA said negotiations had entered a “difficult phase” following what it described as an “insulting” statement by Trump, who had warned he would “hit Iran very hard again.”
An official familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that Iran remained engaged and had not indicated any intention to withdraw.
Hezbollah rejects Israeli presence
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said the group would not accept any ceasefire that allowed Israel “freedom of action” inside Lebanon or failed to secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
He said Hezbollah would honour a ceasefire if one were reached but would not accept violations.
US ambassador downplays tensions
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Trump and Netanyahu remained close despite recent public differences.
“America has an unbreakable bond with the state of Israel,” Huckabee said at the JNS International Policy Summit.
Trump and Iran exchange threats
Trump warned in an interview with Fox News that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had “better watch his mouth.”
Qalibaf responded on X, saying: “We do not regard American threats as amounting to anything. They would do better to be careful about their statements.”
Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran would never give up what it considers its right to enrich uranium.
Netanyahu vows to stay in Lebanon
Netanyahu said Israel would remain in the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon “for as long as necessary” and repeated that Iran would not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
Iran and Qatar hold follow-up talks
Iranian state television reported that Iranian and Qatari delegations held separate discussions after about 80 minutes of four-way negotiations involving the United States and Pakistan.
Herzog blames Iran
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said a peace agreement with Lebanon would be impossible if Iran continued to influence the conflict through Hezbollah.
Pezeshkian voices concern over unrest
Pezeshkian expressed concern that renewed anti-government protests could undermine national unity during negotiations.
US says Hormuz remains open
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said 67 ships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the previous 24 hours.
He acknowledged some commercial operators remained concerned about security but said traffic continued despite Iran’s claim that the strait had been closed.
Israel maintains military readiness
Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the ceasefire remained fragile and troops were prepared for renewed fighting if necessary.
Direct talks resume
The United States and Iran confirmed that direct four-way talks had begun in Switzerland.
Iran said its priority was addressing the situation in Lebanon, while the United States aimed to advance negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Trump warns Iran over Hezbollah
Trump warned on social media that Iran must stop Hezbollah from “causing trouble.”
“If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” he wrote.
Vance calls talks a turning point
Vance said the negotiations offered an opportunity to permanently reshape relations in the Middle East.
Israel says it killed Hamas financiers
The Israeli military said it had killed two militants involved in financing Hamas through networks in Gaza and Turkey.
Pakistan holds separate meetings
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately met Vance and the Iranian delegation at the Bürgenstock Resort, accompanied by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
IAEA chief attends talks
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on the sidelines of the negotiations.
Iran says Lebanon is priority
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said implementation of the interim agreement must begin with an end to fighting in Lebanon.
Temporary lull in Lebanon
A ceasefire appeared to be holding Sunday after days of heavy fighting. Residents in southern Lebanon reported no Israeli strikes or Hezbollah attacks.
Strait of Hormuz remains central issue
The Strait of Hormuz remained a major focus after Iran again claimed to have closed it. The United States disputed the claim, saying commercial shipping continued.
The interim agreement signed by Trump and Pezeshkian gives negotiators 60 days to reach a permanent nuclear agreement, with the possibility of an extension.