The discussions at the Alpine resort of Bürgenstock come after U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a preliminary agreement on June 18 intended to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran and create a framework for broader regional negotiations.
Before departing Washington, Vance told reporters he hoped the talks would produce progress on Iran's nuclear activities and help reinforce efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Lebanon.
His trip had originally been scheduled for Friday but was delayed after fighting intensified in Lebanon and Iranian officials suspended plans to attend the negotiations.
An Iranian delegation arrived in Switzerland on Saturday, according to Iranian state media. The team includes Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy National Security Council Chairman Ali Bagheri Kani, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati.
Also attending the talks are U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump's special envoy for peace initiatives.
Pakistan, which has been mediating the process alongside Qatar, confirmed that technical negotiations would take place on Sunday following the signing of the preliminary accord. Qatari representatives are also expected to participate.
The June 18 agreement includes provisions for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. It allows commercial shipping to pass through the strategic waterway without fees for 60 days and launches negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
The framework also outlines plans for an estimated $300 billion reconstruction program for Iran, though key details remain subject to further negotiations.
A U.S. official cited by Reuters said the ceasefire took effect at 4 p.m. local time in Israel and Lebanon on Friday. Trump later told NBC News he had spoken directly with Israeli officials and urged them to support the truce.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli strikes were reported in southern Lebanon on Saturday, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding efforts to prevent a renewed escalation.
(aj)
SOURCE: IAR; PAP