High-level negotiations between the United States and Iran in Switzerland began under tense conditions on Sunday, as diplomatic efforts to secure an interim deal to end the Middle East war faced immediate headwinds.
Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation in a quadrilateral meeting that included representatives from Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar at the Lake Lucerne Summit.
The talks aimed to advance a framework for de-escalation, but the atmosphere was charged from the outset.
The diplomatic process is being complicated by aggressive rhetoric from the White House.
President Donald Trump issued threats against Tehran from afar, demanding that Iran exert pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This dual-track approach—negotiation on the ground in Switzerland and public pressure from Washington—has created uncertainty around the durability of any potential agreement.