The first round of talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland concluded with mediators reporting 'promising progress,' including the establishment of a mechanism for further technical negotiations.
Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar said both sides agreed to form a high-level committee to monitor the process. Lead negotiators will report to this committee and oversee the leaders of working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions, and dispute resolution.
Technical talks are expected to continue this week as the two sides move toward discussing a range of issues, including Israeli strikes on Lebanon and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
As of day 115 of the war, here are the key developments:
Diplomacy
According to Pakistan and Qatar, the U.S. and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap to reach a final deal. A high-level committee has been established to politically oversee the reconciliation process. Lead negotiators will report regularly to the committee and oversee working groups, including on Tehran's nuclear program and U.S. sanctions on Iran.
The parties also established 'a communication line' on the Strait of Hormuz and a 'conflict resolution cell' to end military operations in Lebanon.
Thomas Warrick, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said the upcoming technical talks would be 'really tough' and could take longer than 60 days. 'There will be no nuclear deal without a deal on sanctions and frozen assets,' Warrick told Al Jazeera.
In Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hailed 'major progress' in ending the war in Lebanon and said the U.S. had agreed to lift sanctions on Iranian oil and release some frozen assets.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the work of the Tehran negotiating delegation in Switzerland was 'completed' and technical teams would continue their work this week.
The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force warned Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon, or face an unconditional pullout like in 2000. Esmail Qaani said if Israel continues its 'invasion and occupation,' it would be driven out in 'humiliation and defeat.'
Iran's lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the latest threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier threatened to strike Iran for its support of Hezbollah.
In the U.S.
The U.S. military's Central Command said 'U.S. forces continue to maintain air, land, and sea presence' across the Middle East and released images of two fighter jets conducting 'routine patrols.'
In Lebanon
Al Jazeera's Heidi Pett, reporting from Nabatieh, said the ceasefire appeared to be holding in Lebanon after days of deadly clashes. 'There has been a cautious calm here as the ceasefire appears to be holding,' she said.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that his country's forces would stay in southern Lebanon as long as necessary, while Hezbollah vowed to respond to any ceasefire violations.
