The first day of US-Iran negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan on Sunday, focused on elements of a potential nuclear deal and the enforcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to an Axios report citing a US diplomat.
According to the diplomat, the talks in Switzerland began in the morning and continued “almost non-stop” throughout the day across different formats.
"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 Iranian delegation, however, reportedly walked out during the talks and refused to return to the table, citing "threatening and insulting statements" from US President Donald Trump, according to a report by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency.
Talks were paused for a half-hour break following a 90-minute negotiation block, after which Iranian officials refused to return, according to a source cited by Tasnim.
Pakistan, Qatar holds the line in mediations
Mediators Qatar and Pakistan continued to exchange messages between the delegations, the source added, clarifying that their efforts are still ongoing but have not yet reached a final result.
The Iranian delegation protested during negotiations the US’s violation of commitments, particularly from the first article of the memorandum of understanding, added Tasnim, which states that signing the agreement will stop “military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem has accused Israel of seeking to deceive negotiators, saying the country "did not give any concessions to Lebanon in the past months and only sought deception, intensified attacks, and dictated its demands."
Trump, too, has openly expressed frustration with Israel's recent actions in Lebanon, and especially with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's continuation of retaliatory bombing campaigns that have complicated the negotiation process.