By Jahanzaib Saqib
High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran are continuing in Switzerland despite a major diplomatic setback triggered by President Donald Trump's latest threats toward Tehran.
According to U.S. officials, negotiators are expected to "work through the night" as both sides attempt to preserve momentum in talks aimed at transforming a recent memorandum of understanding into a broader peace agreement.
Earlier, an Iranian source told CNN that discussions had stalled after Trump's remarks intensified tensions between the two sides. The source emphasized, however, that the negotiations were not over and communication channels remained open.
Reports indicate the Iranian delegation temporarily walked out of the talks after Trump warned of severe consequences if Iran failed to address issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and regional security. Despite the dramatic interruption, mediators from Pakistan and Qatar continued efforts to keep both sides engaged.
Negotiators have reportedly discussed several critical issues, including the future of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets, the conflict in Lebanon, and Iran's nuclear program. Tehran continues to insist that developments in Lebanon and sanctions remain central to any final agreement, while Washington is pushing for stronger nuclear oversight measures.
Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the U.S. delegation, has maintained an optimistic tone, saying diplomacy still offers an opportunity for a significant reset in relations if both sides can reach common ground.
Analysts say the decision by both sides to continue discussions despite the public confrontation is a sign that neither Washington nor Tehran wants the peace process to collapse at this stage. However, major disagreements remain over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, regional security arrangements and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz.