Iran-US peace talks show ‘encouraging progress,’ say mediators

Key Points:

• Qatari and Pakistani mediators reported "encouraging progress" in U.S.-Iran peace deal negotiations following talks in Switzerland, marking the first high-level meeting since the war began in late February.
• The talks produced a preliminary agreement last week, initiating a 60-day window to negotiate a final deal aimed at ending hostilities and lifting blockades in the Strait of Hormuz without charging passage fees.
• A communication line was established between the U.S. and Iran to coordinate safe ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz, along with a "de-confliction cell" involving Lebanon to help end the conflict between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
• The U.S. delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance and included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Iran's delegation featured chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
• Technical-level negotiations will continue this week at the Bürgenstock resort, focusing on Iran's nuclear program and U.S. sanctions.