US-Iran Talks LIVE Updates: First Day Covers Lebanon, Hormuz, frozen assets

A higher presence of Iranian vessels could be seen as per Windward which depicts the traffic pattern, as this decline hits a new low after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States. read more 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said significant progress has been made towards ending the conflict in Lebanon, crediting mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar.

In a statement, Araghchi said that "tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation" had helped achieve major breakthroughs, including waivers on oil and petrochemical exports, the lifting of blockades, the release of some frozen Iranian assets, and the launch of a major reconstruction and development plan for Iran.

However, he stressed that the first real test of any agreement would be the functioning of the proposed Lebanon deconfliction mechanism, which is expected to play a key role in reducing tensions and preventing further escalation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will continue to remain in a security buffer zone in southern Lebanon for as long as Israel considers necessary.

The Israeli-established buffer zone covers approximately 602 square kilometres (230 square miles), accounting for about 6 percent of Lebanon's total land area. Netanyahu's remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and continued military operations along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Mediators Pakistan and Qatar say the US and Iran have made “encouraging progress” on the first day of high level talks in Switzerland.

The latest round of Iran–US negotiations has brought together senior political and diplomatic figures from multiple countries, reflecting intensified international involvement in efforts to manage the conflict.

The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance and includes Special Envoy Steve Witkoff along with Jared Kushner. Iran is represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Boord, and nuclear negotiator Ali Bakri.

Pakistan, acting as a mediator, is represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Qatar is also involved in the mediation process through Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Switzerland, hosting the talks, is represented by Vice President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi is also present, underscoring the focus on nuclear oversight and verification mechanisms.

Esmaeil Baghaei told Iranian media that the work of Tehran’s negotiating team in Switzerland was now “complete” and that technical teams would continue their work.

“It was agreed that technical teams will continue their work on the issues necessary for the effective implementation of this memorandum of understanding,” he said. “At this stage, the work of the negotiating delegation is complete, but the technical teams will continue their work tomorrow.”

AL JAZEERA REPORTS 

Iran Negotiator Hussein Gurbanzadeh, a member of Iran’s negotiating team, stated that the first day of talks included discussions on the release of Iran’s frozen assets and temporary relief from sanctions on the country’s oil sector. He said these issues were among the key topics addressed during the negotiations as efforts continue to seek a diplomatic path amid the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that access to frozen funds and limited sanctions relief remain central demands from Tehran in the talks.