US, Iran begin negotiations in Switzerland

Reuters Today, a source familiar with the issue said that US and Iranian negotiators have begun dialogue at the Burgenstock mountain resort, Switzerland, with the participation of representatives from two intermediary countries, Pakistan and Qatar.

Before negotiations began, US Vice President JD Vance welcomed and chatted with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Commander Syed Asim Munir. Flags of the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan are placed in the corner of the room.

Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, were also present. The Iranian delegation was led by National Assembly Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

“There is no precedent for the leaders of the US and Iran to meet at this high level. The President asked us to turn a new chapter, change the relationship between the US and Iran, and at the same time extend a hand of goodwill to send a message to the Iranian people that if their leader stops destabilizing the region and gives up his long-term ambition to possess nuclear weapons, Washington is ready to fundamentally change its relationship with Tehran,” Mr. Vance said.

According to the US Vice President, significant progress has been achieved in just the past few hours. “I expect to continue to make further progress in the coming hours,” he said.

The negotiations took place in the context of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. “It is impossible to enter the negotiation stage to reach a final agreement if fighting does not end on all fronts,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X.

The US vice president told reporters in Switzerland that President Trump has “committed” that the United States “will see a complete ceasefire”, adding that he “feels optimistic” about the situation in Lebanon.

“The United States has done more than any other side to prevent conflict in Lebanon over the past few months,” he said when asked about Israel’s attack on Lebanon. “Peace is never easy. Peace always requires mutual efforts and concessions. The US President has pledged not only to have peace between the US and Iran, but also for the entire region. That is why we are here and make every effort to resolve the problem.”

He noted the meeting in Switzerland was the start of technical negotiations and would not immediately yield a solution.

“Today’s meeting will not resolve all disagreements, but will create conditions for us to sit together and figure out what is most important to the parties involved, to resolve those issues and move towards a better future,” Mr. Vance emphasized.