US and Iran Hold Marathon Switzerland Talks on Nuclear Pact, Hormuz and Lebanon

Negotiations between the United States and Iran remained underway through the night in Switzerland, with officials from both sides engaged in intensive discussions on a potential nuclear agreement, regional security concerns, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite reports of temporary setbacks, diplomats expressed cautious optimism about the progress made during the latest round of talks.

Talks Continue Through the Night

The ongoing technical talks linked to the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran remained active on Sunday in Burgenstock, Switzerland, according to CNN, which cited US officials familiar with the negotiations.

A senior US diplomat involved in the discussions told CNN that talks involving US Vice President JD Vance and the American delegation had continued without interruption and were expected to extend overnight.

"The Iranians are still here, and discussions are ongoing. We anticipate continuing to work through the night," the diplomat said, as quoted by CNN.

According to the report, Iranian representatives remained engaged in continuous meetings and negotiations across multiple formats as diplomatic efforts intensified.

Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon Among Key Issues

Officials from both countries focused on several strategic issues during the discussions, including Iran's recent messaging regarding the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to ensure the critical maritime corridor remains open.

"We made clear we want to ensure it remains fully open. We made good progress on that front," a US diplomat told Axios.

The negotiations also addressed regional security concerns, particularly the situation in southern Lebanon. Officials discussed deconfliction measures and mechanisms for enforcing the existing ceasefire amid continued Israeli military activity in the region.

"We have also worked through deconfliction mechanisms and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon," the official said, as quoted by CNN.

Axios reported that discussions began on Sunday morning and continued throughout the day, covering multiple aspects of regional stability and implementation of commitments outlined in last week's 14-point MoU.

Nuclear Deal Discussions Face Temporary Hurdles

Beyond regional security matters, negotiators also held extensive discussions on what officials described as "all elements of the nuclear deal," laying the groundwork for future technical-level engagements.

The talks also included implementation-related issues tied to the recently signed memorandum of understanding to ensure both sides shared a common understanding of agreed principles.

Reflecting on the first round of discussions, a US diplomat expressed confidence in the direction of the negotiations.

"All four parties seem pleased with how the talks went today. The mediators are helping both sides work through things. We feel this initial round of talks is setting us up for trust-building going forward," the diplomat said.

However, CNN separately reported, citing an Iranian source, that negotiations had encountered a temporary roadblock. The source said formal talks had stalled for the moment but had not collapsed, with back-channel diplomatic efforts continuing behind the scenes to bring both sides back to the table.

The source added that recent tensions, including comments and threats made by US President Donald Trump, had complicated the atmosphere surrounding the negotiations.

Senior political-level discussions are expected to conclude on Monday, while technical teams are likely to remain in Switzerland to continue work on advancing the negotiations.

(With inputs from ANI)