Live updates: US and Iran take steps to reduce Lebanon conflict and Strait of Hormuz tensions, mediators say
US-Iran negotiations concluded constructively in Switzerland overnight and technical talks will continue this week, according to mediators, after President Donald Trump’s threats stalled progress.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said sanctions on his country’s oil had been waived and some of its assets frozen abroad had been released. He also said “a major reconstruction and development plan for Iran has been launched.”
Mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the US and Iran agreed to establish a High Level Committee to provide “political oversight on the mediation.” Negotiators reporting to the committee will lead groups focused on nuclear issues, sanctions, and other means to implement the US-Iran agreement, the mediators said in a joint statement.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said “good progress was made” — a surprising outcome after a long stretch of uncertainty.
Just hours before, an Iranian source told CNN talks had stalled after Trump took aim at Iran in an interview with Fox News. Trump threatened to resume bombing Iran and take over the Strait of Hormuz, saying “If they don’t make a deal, we’ll collect tolls.”
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Baghaei said Iran initially refused to continue after Trump’s threats were aired, according to state media, and oil prices climbed.
Trump has previously suggested the US impose tolls on the strait, while insisting Iran never be allowed to do so. Last week, Trump said the US-Iran agreement would ensure the strait is “permanently toll free.”
But after talks in Switzerland ended, Qatar and Pakistan said Iran and the US had formed a “line of communication” for the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes that stability for the oil trade chokepoint lies ahead.
The line has been created to “avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels” for the 60-day period outlined in the US-Iran agreement.
Still looming over talks, however, is the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, which has continued despite a recent renewal of their ceasefire agreement.
The US and Iran agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” involving Lebanon and facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, to ensure the end of military operations in Lebanon, mediators said.
Aragchi said the “first real test” will be the effectiveness of that effort.
CNN’s Lex Harvey, Nic Robertson, Sophia Saifi and Aileen Graef contributed reporting.