In brief
Last week, the United States and Iran signed an initial agreement to end their decade‑long war, committing to a final treaty within 60 days, to stop fighting on all fronts, and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The talks opened in Switzerland, featuring US Vice‑President JD Vance, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on the American side and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and others from Tehran. Pakistani officials also joined, having acted as mediators during earlier rounds. While the agreement lifts blockades on Iranian ports and proposes a $300bn reconstruction plan, hostilities—especially between Israel and Hezbollah—continue, with Israel claiming a separate conflict from the Iran war. Both sides highlight enforcement of commitments as crucial to finalising the peace framework.
US and Iran begin peace talks in Switzerland as they take the first steps toward ending the war that began in 2019, following a recent agreement that called for immediate cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The plan, signed Sunday, mandates a final treaty within 60 days, stops fighting on all fronts – including in Lebanon – and settles disbursement of $300bn in reconstruction funds.
The discussions opened at the Bürgenstock resort, with Vice‑President JD Vance, Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff attending. Iran’s delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, was joined by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who have served as mediators in earlier rounds. Vance urged the Iranian leadership to eliminate their “driver of regional instability” and to drop nuclear ambitions for a longer‑term relationship overhaul.
Despite the agreement, fighting in Lebanon and Israel‑Hezbollah skirmishes continue. Israeli air strikes have killed at least 67 people, while Hezbollah’s attacks have taken five Israeli soldiers. Iran has accused the US and Israel of violating the ceasefire and threatened to shut the Strait again, but maritime tracking data shows vessels continue to transit the waterway.
The deal also lifts the US blockade on Iranian ports and promises the removal of all sanctions. The Iranian side insists their nuclear programme remains peaceful, asserting that final disarmament will hinge on enforcement of the current commitments. The US, meanwhile, remains cautious, with President Trump warning that Iran must cease proxy operations in Lebanon and take steps toward nuclear compliance.
As the platform moves forward, stakeholders keep a close eye on how quickly and comprehensively the treaty’s provisions are implemented, particularly given the unresolved hostilities in Israel and Lebanon that could undermine the peace momentum.
