Iran-US technical talks to continue at Burgenstock for remainder of week: Pakistan, Qatar

Technical talks between Iran and the United States will continue this week in Switzerland after the first round of negotiations aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said on Monday.

“Technical talks will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort on all issues,” Pakistan and Qatar said in a joint statement.

According to the statement, the parties have agreed on a mechanism to help end fighting in Lebanon. They also opened a communication line to ensure safe passage for commercial ships through the disputed strait.

US Vice President JD Vance opened the talks with Iranian officials on Sunday under a memorandum of understanding reached last week, which aims to extend a fragile ceasefire for at least 60 days. Discussions continued into early Monday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post that Iran secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets, and a reconstruction and development plan for the country.

Before the talks began, US President Donald Trump reportedly warned Iranian officials on Fox News that “you won’t have a country” if they tried to close the strait again. He also repeated threats that the US could take control of the waterway and impose its own tolls.

Iranian and US sources gave different accounts of the discussions in Switzerland.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing a source, said Iran refused to return to the main negotiation room after Trump’s remarks became public, but communication continued through Pakistani and Qatari mediators.

The source added that Iran insists nuclear talks can only begin once other parts of the agreement are implemented, including lifting restrictions on oil exports and releasing frozen assets.

A US diplomat told Reuters that “The Iranians never left and are still here meeting and negotiating deep into the night,” and said discussions covered the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, nuclear issues, and implementation of the agreement.

US officials said high-level talks may conclude Monday, while technical teams will continue further work.

The agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending hostilities including in Lebanon, and other steps under the deal framework.

Iran has argued that the US has not fully met its commitments regarding Lebanon. It said over the weekend it had again restricted movement through the strait, while insisting talks would not move forward on nuclear issues until conditions are met.

US officials, however, disputed claims that the strait was fully closed, though shipping data showed a sharp drop in vessel movement.

US Vice President Vance said progress had been made in discussions on Lebanon, calling the situation “messy” but manageable.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran to stop its allied groups in Lebanon, saying on social media, “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” and threatened stronger action if they did not comply.

Meanwhile, Vance said the US president wants to “turn over a new leaf” in relations with Iran.

A US diplomat also said talks included improving communication and ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains fully open.

Despite a ceasefire announcement in Lebanon, fighting has continued. Iran said it shut the strait again due to ongoing conflict.

Shipping data showed a sharp drop in vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz after the announcement.

Oil prices rose slightly on Monday after earlier declines linked to hopes of easing tensions.

In Lebanon, Sunday was relatively calm compared to previous days, with reports of residents returning to their homes after heavy fighting earlier.