US and Iranian delegations have begun nuclear talks in Switzerland, with Vice President JD Vance leading the American side and Pakistani leaders joining the mediation effort, according to a desk-reviewed report. Israel stated it will continue operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah violations.
Talks between the United States and Iran officially opened in Switzerland on Sunday morning, with US Vice President JD Vance leading the American delegation and Pakistani leaders joining the mediation to advance a memorandum of understanding, as reported by a desk-reviewed report. The development follows a series of diplomatic maneuvers: late Friday, Iran froze the talks and demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon as a precondition. Vance had postponed his departure, but by early Sunday he was en route, landing in Switzerland at around 04:55 Jerusalem for what is described as the first round of nuclear negotiations. The talks now proceed with the added Pakistani dimension, which the source says is working to advance accords. Israeli officials have made clear that irrespective of the US-Iran track, Israel will continue operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah violations. The Hormuz Strait closure threat, voiced by Tehran in recent days, remains as a backdrop. The reliability and specific outcomes of this negotiation round are not yet independently confirmed.
Earlier Saturday, The Zioneer reported that a senior US delegation had arrived in Switzerland (Sat 01:59 Jerusalem), followed by reports of US envoy Steve Witkoff traveling to join Jared Kushner (Sat 01:59 Jerusalem). By version 5 (Sat 01:59 Jerusalem), i24NEWS reported Witkoff and Kushner heading to Switzerland to salvage the talks after Friday's cancellation. By version 6 (Sat 01:59 Jerusalem), Witkoff had landed and Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi was expected to arrive. By version 7 (Sat 01:59 Jerusalem), Vance himself had landed, with i24NEWS and multiple Telegram sources confirming his arrival alongside envoys Witkoff and Kushner.
As The Zioneer reported on Friday (Fri 12:15 Jerusalem), Iran froze the talks and linked their resumption to a Lebanon ceasefire, threatening to close the Hormuz Strait. On Saturday (Sat 17:53 Jerusalem), Iran also threatened missile retaliation amid the Hormuz closure. The Zioneer also reported that Vance stated he aims to advance both a Lebanon ceasefire and the Iranian nuclear issue in Switzerland (Sun 01:41 Jerusalem).
What remains unverified: the talks' opening is based on a desk-reviewed report; no official US or Iranian confirmation has been published. Pakistan's specific role and the content of any memorandum of understanding are not yet independently corroborated.
8 developments
- DevelopingPakistan says technical-level US-Iran talks on interim deal to start Sunday in Switzerland
- DevelopingIran names full delegation for Friday talks in Switzerland with Vance leading US team
- StrongVance says he aims to advance Lebanon ceasefire and Iran nuclear talks in Switzerland
- StrongIran confirms it will attend Switzerland talks, demands US enforce halt to Israeli Lebanon strikes
Source and signal
- Internal intake