US-Iran talks end, technical discussions to continue after Trump threats

High-level negotiations in Switzerland aimed at permanently ending the Iran war concluded Monday, with lower-level talks scheduled for the week. Mediators Pakistan and Qatar announced that Iran and the United States agreed to establish a "de-confliction cell" involving the Lebanese government to address the ongoing fighting in Lebanon.

Despite the agreement, uncertainty remains about whether the cell will halt the conflict between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia and Israel. Israel occupies Lebanon and insists on its freedom to strike militants launching attacks into northern Israel. The US offered no immediate comment, while Iran commended the mediators' efforts, according to The Associated Press.

“

Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, only harder!!!

The negotiations, part of a 60-day diplomatic process, faced a tense start when US President Donald Trump issued threats on social media against Iran and its president. Trump warned of severe retaliation if Iran did not stop its proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble. These comments complicated the engagement efforts led by Vice President JD Vance and the mediators.

“

They would do better to be careful about their statements. Our armed forces are prepared to respond to them in a different manner. They may keep talking, it is we who act.

Iran's lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, responded sharply on X, cautioning against such statements and asserting that Iran's armed forces were prepared to act. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later expressed optimism on X, crediting Pakistani and Qatari mediation for major progress in ending the Lebanon War and viewing the de-confliction cell's success as the first real test.

The US delegation, including Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, met with Qalibaf and Araghchi. Following the meeting, Pakistan and Qatar confirmed that technical talks would continue in Switzerland. A senior US diplomat, speaking anonymously, described the talks as private.

“

tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. The first real test of negotiations would be whether the de-confliction cell succeeded in halting the fighting in Lebanon.