The first round of US–Iran negotiations in Switzerland opened with a mix of cautious progress, sharp threats and diplomatic friction, setting the tone for what is expected to be a difficult 60‑day window of talks. Delegations met at the Burgenstock resort after Washington and Tehran signed a 14‑point Memorandum of Understanding, intended to halt the West Asia conflict and create space for broader de‑escalation.
According to the report, discussions stretched for hours and covered three major fronts: the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, and the nuclear file. At one point, US President Donald Trump issued a direct threat to Iran, prompting the Iranian delegation to walk out in protest as Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif and US Vice President JD Vance looked on. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar later confirmed that despite the walkout, talks would continue into the early hours.
The US team—led by Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and adviser Jared Kushner—held multiple-format meetings with Iran’s delegation, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Negotiators agreed to establish a high‑level committee and new communication mechanisms to prevent escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, where recent Iranian statements had raised fears of closure.
Talks on Lebanon focused on “deconfliction mechanisms” amid ongoing Israeli strikes in the south. A US diplomat said progress was made on ensuring Hormuz remains open, while acknowledging that the situation in Lebanon remains volatile.
Both sides also held wide‑ranging discussions on the nuclear deal, with officials describing the exchanges as “robust.” Technical working groups are expected to continue meeting in the coming days.
Despite moments of cooperation, the atmosphere remained tense, with threats, walkouts and public snubs underscoring how fragile the process remains.