U.S. Vice President JD Vance says direct talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland have created a “good foundation” for negotiations toward a final agreement to end the war that began at the end of February. Speaking as he left Switzerland, Vance characterizes the talks as making “good progress” and says the sides have agreed a road map toward a permanent end to hostilities, with further work still required before a final deal is reached. Multiple reports describe the talks as high-level and lengthy, taking place at a mountain-top resort and running from Sunday into early Monday, after some rocky moments.
Several outlets report that the negotiations included agreement on steps involving the UN nuclear watchdog. Vance says Iran has agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to return to the country. In addition, Vance indicates the U.S. could unfreeze frozen Iranian funds, tied to purchasing U.S. agricultural goods such as soy, corn and wheat. Reports also mention that Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf held the latest round of discussions together and that the mediation framework is aimed at reaching a final deal within a defined time window.
