US and Iran Establish De-confliction Cell as First Round of Direct Peace Talks Conclude

High-level diplomatic negotiations in Switzerland aimed at securing a permanent end to the conflict with Iran concluded early Monday. While the initial round has wrapped, lower-level technical talks are scheduled to continue throughout the week. As a primary outcome, the United States and Iran have agreed to establish a “de-confliction cell” specifically designed to address and mitigate the ongoing fighting in Lebanon.

According to a statement from mediators Pakistan and Qatar, the cell will involve the Lebanese government to “ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon.” However, it remains uncertain if this mechanism will suffice to halt hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel, which occupies portions of Lebanon, maintains that it must retain the ability to strike militants launching attacks into northern Israel.

While the US government has not yet issued an official comment on the initial framework, Iranian state media hailed the mediation efforts as a “remarkable breakthrough.”

The meetings involved US negotiators, including JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who met with Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi for approximately 80 minutes. Following the session, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the tireless efforts of Pakistan and Qatar have led to “major progress” in ending the Lebanon War, noting that the success of the de-confliction cell will be the first “real test” of the diplomatic process.

These discussions initiate a 60-day diplomatic window intended to secure a permanent agreement to end the US-Israeli offensive against Tehran. The offensive, which began on February 28, has been under a fragile truce since April 8. A central point of contention remains the situation in Lebanon, as Tehran has insisted that the cessation of hostilities there be a primary component of any overarching ceasefire deal with the US.

Simultaneously, tensions remain high regarding maritime security. Iran claimed to have shut the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for one-fifth of the world’s oil supply—over the weekend, though the US asserted that maritime traffic continued uninterrupted.

The diplomatic atmosphere was strained on Sunday following social media threats from US President Donald Trump, who warned Iran’s leadership and demanded an end to the activities of their “highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon.” Trump warned that failure to comply would result in harder military strikes against Iran.

These public statements complicated the efforts of Vice President JD Vance and the mediating parties to keep Iranian representatives engaged. In response, Iran’s lead negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned on X that the US should be “careful about their statements,” asserting that Iran’s armed forces are prepared to respond.

A senior US diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Sunday’s talks focused on clarifying Iran’s recent statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The parties discussed mechanisms to ensure the strait remains open, the enforcement of a ceasefire in southern Lebanon, and held “robust” discussions regarding the nuclear issue.

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