The Latest: Iran says ‘major progress’ to end Lebanon war during talks

Key Points:

• Pakistani and Qatari mediation has led to major progress in efforts to end the Lebanon War, with Iran and the U.S. agreeing to establish a "de-confliction cell" to manage fighting in Lebanon, according to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
• High-level talks between U.S. and Iranian delegations concluded in Switzerland, with plans for lower-level discussions throughout the week; however, key issues such as the fighting in Lebanon, Iran’s nuclear program, and frozen assets remain unresolved.
• Iran has linked the success of negotiations to an end to hostilities involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Israel insists on maintaining military operations against Hezbollah and will continue to occupy a buffer zone in southern Lebanon.
• The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint, with Iran claiming it has closed the waterway amid the conflict, though the U.S. reports that shipping traffic continues normally and has threatened tolls if a final deal is not reached within 60 days.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence that Iran’s government will collapse due to the military campaign, while Iran’s lead negotiator dismissed U.S. threats and emphasized Iran’s commitment to its nuclear rights amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.