Bern, Switzerland. The United States and Iran made progress in the first several hours of peace talks in Switzerland, US Vice President JD Vance said on the opening day of negotiations held amid the continuing Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon.
Vance said he expected additional progress in the hours ahead as talks continued under mediation from Pakistan and Qatar.
Opening day of talks
Speaking at a brief press conference alongside the prime ministers of Pakistan and Qatar, who are mediating the negotiations, Vance said he was leading the American side on the first day of discussions and was accompanied by a team of advisers.
According to the Times of Israel, Vance’s counterpart in the talks, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, was not standing alongside the three men, although several Iranian officials were present.
Vance calls meeting historic
Vance described the meeting as historic because of the high level of face-to-face engagement between US and Iranian leaders at the Swiss resort.
He said President Trump had asked to turn over a new leaf with Iran in an effort to transform bilateral relations, adding that technical talks would allow both sides to sit together and work to resolve issues.