Vice President JD Vance announced significant progress following high-level discussions between Iran and the United States in Switzerland. A road map was agreed upon to reach a final peace deal within 60 days to end the war.
“We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal,” Vance stated during a press briefing before returning to the U.S. He likened the deal to building a house, saying the foundation had been set, but the house itself still needed to be constructed.
The technical negotiations continued at Bürgenstock following marathon talks between senior figures from both countries. Initial talks faced challenges due to being canceled and then resumed amidst renewed threats from President Donald Trump. Vance noted that the Iranians had considered walking out over Trump’s comments. However, he defended Trump, emphasizing the need to correct the record in response to provocative remarks.
“What we told the Iranians yesterday is when you guys engage in what us millennials might call ‘trash talk,’ you can’t expect the President of the United States not to respond and not to correct the record,” Vance said.
The talks concluded with a joint statement by mediators Qatar and Pakistan, expressing optimism and describing the atmosphere as “constructive.” Washington and Tehran agreed on setting up new communication lines to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and cease fighting in Lebanon.
Iran further consented to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors back into the country, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
According to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency, the Iranian team, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, left Switzerland after intensive talks. Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi continued to lead Iranian participation in technical negotiations.
Sunday’s talks resulted in the establishment of a “High Level Committee” for political oversight and mapped a path to a final deal within the specified timeline. This committee aims to address unresolved issues, particularly those related to Iran’s nuclear program.
The discussions also produced a deconfliction line between the parties and Lebanon, where fighting involving Hezbollah and Israel persists despite ongoing diplomacy.
A new communication line has been introduced to avoid incidents and misunderstandings, ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route that has faced months of blockade.