Direct peace talks between the United States and Iran began in Switzerland on Sunday, utilizing a previously signed framework agreement aimed at ending the Iran conflict.
The negotiations are taking place at the luxury Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne. The Iranian delegation, which includes Parliamentary President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived on Saturday evening. US Vice President JD Vance arrived Sunday morning and began by meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, both of whom will participate in the talks. Qatar is also involved at the summit as a mediating party, alongside Pakistan.
The underlying framework agreement stipulates that a final settlement must be reached within 60 days. However, the situation remains significantly complicated by the ongoing fighting between Israel and the Iran-supported Hezbollah. Saturday saw reports of at least 47 casualties in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. In response, Iran announced plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, though the United States maintains that the strait should remain open. Iranian sources indicate that the talks in Switzerland are initially scheduled to last only one day.
