The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to a plan to reach a final agreement within 60 days, following high-level talks in Switzerland.
Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar said the first day of talks had shown “encouraging progress,” with the two sides also agreeing to establish a security cooperation committee aimed at ending military operations in Lebanon.
The talks come at a time of heightened tensions between the United States, Iran and Israel. US President Donald Trump has previously threatened to attack Iran over its support for Hezbollah, but the head of Iran’s negotiating team, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has warned Washington to be careful with its rhetoric.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon as long as necessary, while Hezbollah threatened to prevent any breach of the ceasefire.
The diplomatic efforts are seen as a new attempt to ease tensions in the Middle East, as the world’s eyes remain on the outcome of talks expected to determine the future of relations between Washington and Tehran.
