US‑Iran Ceasefire Negotiations Commence in Switzerland
The United States and Iran have begun cease‑fire negotiations in Switzerland, aiming for a permanent cease‑fire and progress on Tehran’s nuclear programme, as reported by Qatar’s foreign ministry and Al Jazeera. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a 60‑day negotiating period with an option to extend the talks.
US Vice President JD Vance travelled to Switzerland ahead of the meeting and stated that the immediate objective was to establish a framework for future negotiations, saying, “I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue.” Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir are also expected to attend, adding two key mediators to the discussions.
Iran’s delegation includes Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, according to state media. The negotiations were delayed earlier in the week after renewed clashes in southern Lebanon between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
Although the memorandum halted direct hostilities between Washington and Tehran, tensions remain over the implementation of the agreement and the future of Iran’s nuclear activities. A new source of uncertainty emerged after Iran renewed its order to close the Strait of Hormuz, despite previously agreeing to reopen the strategic waterway under the memorandum. Iran’s Fars news agency cited a military source saying no new permits were being issued for ships to cross until further notice. The strait handles roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas shipments.
US Central Command reported that commercial traffic through the waterway increased on Saturday, with 55 merchant vessels carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil transiting the route. President Trump said on Saturday that no transit tolls should be imposed during the negotiation period, warning against measures that could hinder commercial traffic.
The talks are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, implementation of the cease‑fire framework, and broader regional security issues, including ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Washington has already lifted a naval blockade of Iranian ports and pledged sanctions waivers on Iranian oil exports as part of the memorandum, while Tehran committed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.