Negotiators from the US and Iran were set to engage in a second day of talks to solidify a permanent end to the war between the countries, after a first day of mediation began with a rocky start.

Background

Mediators Qatar and Pakistan hailed what they called “encouraging progress” made during the talks. A senior US diplomat claimed progress on multiple fronts, including the establishment of “mechanisms” to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that a ceasefire in southern Lebanon holds.

Iranian state media said talks had paused after the “publication of an insulting message by the US President.” The Iranian delegation then met with Qatari mediators and left the negotiating site, state media said.

Key Players

The chief negotiators for the US include JD Vance, the vice president; special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the president. Iran is represented by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

In a joint statement, Pakistan and Qatar said the high-level talks had ended and that technical negotiations would continue in Switzerland for the rest of the week.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.