Senior Iranian and U.S. negotiators are set to begin talks in Switzerland on Sunday after a delay earlier in the week, as tensions surrounding Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz continue to complicate efforts to advance a broader agreement.
The negotiations follow the signing of a memorandum of understanding earlier this week that outlined a permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and established a framework for a final agreement within 60 days.
Pakistan, which helped broker the interim arrangement, said the talks would take place in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock with support from Qatari mediators.
Iran confirmed that a delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had departed for Switzerland, accompanied by senior security, oil and financial officials.
In Washington, Vice President JD Vance said U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland working on technical aspects of the discussions.
Vance said he expected to travel to Switzerland in the coming days and expressed confidence that the ceasefire framework would hold.
The talks are expected to focus on technical negotiations related to Iran’s nuclear programme and broader issues covered by the interim agreement.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran would press for the fulfilment of commitments, citing concerns over previous agreements that it believes were not fully implemented.
The diplomatic effort comes as fighting continues in Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement linked to the broader U.S.-Iran understanding.
Lebanese authorities reported continued Israeli strikes on Saturday, while Israel said it was responding to attacks by Hezbollah and remained committed to addressing threats against its forces.
Iran has argued that the continued violence in Lebanon represents a breach of ceasefire commitments.
On Saturday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the reimposition of restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels against approaching the strategic waterway.
The move was presented as a response to ongoing Israeli actions in Lebanon and what Tehran described as failures to implement ceasefire obligations.
The U.S. military said commercial traffic through the strait remained intact, reporting that dozens of vessels had successfully transited the route while American forces remained present in the area.
As negotiators prepare to meet, the situation in Lebanon and the status of maritime traffic through Hormuz remain key tests for the fragile diplomatic process.