US-Iran talks expected to continue late into the night: Axios

• Axios: US-Iran talks in Switzerland continued “almost non-stop” on Sunday and are expected to extend into Monday.
• Discussions focused on Lebanon ceasefire mechanisms, the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear file, Axios reported.
• A US diplomat said mediators helped both sides make progress on key issues during the talks.

Talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland continued throughout Sunday in multiple formats, with discussions focusing on Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz, and the nuclear file, according to Axios, citing a US diplomat familiar with the negotiations.

The diplomat told Axios that the talks began on Sunday morning and had continued “almost non-stop” in different formats, suggesting an intensive first day of negotiations between the two sides and mediators.

According to the diplomat, one of the key issues discussed was the establishment of “deconfliction mechanisms in Lebanon” and ways to enforce the ceasefire there, as regional tensions remain closely tied to the broader US-Iran dialogue.

The Strait of Hormuz was also a major topic of discussion, particularly following recent Iranian statements about potentially closing the strategic waterway. The US diplomat said Washington made clear that it wants to ensure the strait remains fully open, adding that “good progress” had been made on that front.

Talks on Sunday also covered “all elements of the nuclear deal,” the diplomat said, as both sides continued discussions on the next phase of negotiations following the memorandum of understanding reached earlier this month.

In addition, the parties held what the diplomat described as productive discussions on implementation of the memorandum and how to “make sure everyone is on the same page.” The sides also discussed a framework for keeping the talks going both at the political level and between technical teams.

“All four parties seem pleased with how the talks went today. The mediators are helping both sides work through things. We feel this initial round of talks is setting us up for trust building going forward,” the diplomat told Axios.

The high-level political talks are expected to conclude on Monday, while technical teams are likely to remain in Switzerland to continue negotiations.