U.S. and Iran set to resume negotiations in Switzerland amid Lebanon conflict

U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland for a second round of talks with Iranian negotiators, saying he expected to stay "a day or two" and hoped to make progress on both the nuclear issue and the Lebanon cease-fire. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state media the visit was meant to "follow up on the implementation of the other side’s commitments" and warned that a final agreement would only be pursued when the United States upholds its part of the deal.

The talks follow a provisional 60-day cease-fire signed last week, under which the United States agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports and Iran pledged to keep shipping open through the Strait of Hormuz. The interim arrangement also temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil exports and allowed access to frozen Iranian assets.

The most contentious issue—Iran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of near-weapon-grade uranium—remains for future negotiations. Iran has reiterated its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and has indicated it would dilute its enriched uranium as part of a comprehensive deal.

Violence in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, continues to complicate the diplomatic effort. Israel announced a new cease-fire with Hezbollah, but subsequent strikes in southern Lebanon resulted in civilian casualties, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Iran responded by claiming it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, a claim the U.S. military disputed, stating that marine traffic continued and that Iran does not control the waterway.

Pakistan, acting as an intermediary, sent a delegation that includes Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Switzerland. Pakistani and Qatari mediators are slated to begin technical talks on Sunday.

The negotiations occur at a delicate moment, with the broader U.S.–Iran agreement calling for a cease-fire on all fronts, including Lebanon, yet neither Israel nor Hezbollah have signed onto the pact. Vance emphasized his expectation that both sides would have issues they wish to discuss, underscoring the fragile context of the talks.