Senior officials from the United States and Iran have begun direct talks in Switzerland after signing a memorandum of understanding last week to end the war.
Foreign news agencies report that high-stakes negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, commenced on Sunday, 21 Jun 2026, at the Bürgenstock mountain resort in Switzerland.
Before the talks began, Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the U.S. hopes to make progress on "nuclear issues" and the situation in Lebanon, while Tehran indicated it would "demand the other side fulfill its obligations."
At the Bürgenstock resort, Mr. Vance said President Donald Trump asked the negotiating team to "start a new historic chapter," adding that if Iran's leadership is willing to stop being a "driver of regional instability" and abandon "long-term nuclear weapons ambitions," the U.S. is "ready to completely transform relations with the country."
However, Iran continues to insist that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bagaei stated that the talks aimed at reaching a final agreement depend on enforcing existing commitments, including ending all military operations. He added that Sunday's negotiations would focus on practical implementation steps.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran includes provisions requiring both sides to reach a final agreement within 60 days, cease fighting on "all fronts" including Lebanon, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for navigation.
Nevertheless, new clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon led Iran to announce the closure of the shipping route again on Saturday, despite shipping data showing that commercial vessels continue to pass through the strait.
Israel maintains that its conflict with Hezbollah is not a war against Iran. Lebanon was drawn into the war on 2 March when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February that killed Tehran’s supreme leader.
The U.S. delegation includes Vice President J.D. Vance, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy.
Iran’s delegation consists of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Parliament Speaker, and Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister, who arrived in Switzerland late Saturday night.
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Source:bbc