NEW YORK: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has presented a proposal through mediators to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven

Iran rules out joining US talks in Islamabad, citing “contradictory” US actions, casting doubt on negotiations before ceasefire deadline.

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JD Vance says US-Iran talks in Islamabad ended without agreement after 21 hours. Talks broke over nuclear commitment demands.

Switzerland to host Iran-US preliminary talks on June 20, with Pakistan and Qatar as mediators, following the signing in Evian by Trump.

Switzerland will host preliminary talks between Iran and the US on June 20, with representatives from Pakistan, Qatar, and other relevant countries also attending, the Swiss foreign ministry said on June 18. The meeting in Burgstock follows a digitally signed memorandum of understanding between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, which outlines steps to ease tensions and restore diplomatic relations, signed late on June 17. According to sources close to Washington, the US rushed ahead with signing the document with Iran due to fears of third parties, including Israel, undermining any potential long-term peace deal between the two foes. The Swiss foreign ministry stated that the discussions will focus on implementing the agreement, though it did not provide further details on the agenda or participants. The talks mark a significant step in addressing longstanding tensions between Iran and the US, with regional mediators playing a key role in facilitating dialogue. The text of the Memorandum of Understanding to end the imposed war between the US and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran was signed in the early hours of June 18 by the presidents of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the United States, Donald Trump. Vice President J.D. Vance, alon`g with Iran's Parliament speaker, are expected to be at the official ceremony of the memorandum of understanding in Switzerland, according to Iranian sources. Other sources have added that Trump and Pezeshkian could also meet for the first time marking the first bilateral meeting between the two countries since the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1979. Following the signing, Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian negotiating team, said the country secured a lifting of a naval blockade, an extension of a ceasefire across Lebanon and a commitment to $300bn in investment under the agreement, framing the talks as an arm of a wider confrontation rather than a concession. His comments mark one of the most detailed accounts to date of how Tehran approached indirect talks following the recent conflict with Israel and the US. He said the US had requested the ceasefire after a period of pursuing it, and that incidents continued once it took effect, including strikes on two foreign vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz that caught fire, an event he said satellite imagery confirmed. "In negotiations that are a method of struggle, there is no capitulation and no sloganeering," said Ghalibaf. He said Iran threatened the US and issued an ultimatum after the targeting of Beirut's Dahiyeh suburb, prompting US President Donald Trump to instruct Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the attacks. Under the agreement, a 30-day timeline for lifting the blockade was compressed into a single night, he said. He added that clause 6 of the accord covered reconstruction and economic development, setting a $300bn investment target in Iran, part of which would fund rebuilding. He said clause 13 was structured on an action-for-action basis, meaning Tehran would withhold compliance if Washington failed to meet its commitments. He said the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its previous status, adding that Iran would operate within international maritime law and charge for services provided to vessels as a coastal state.

The next round of Iran-US talks is likely to be held in Pakistan on July 11, with sanctions, frozen assets and the nuclear programme on the agenda, once funeral ceremonies for slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei conclude.

Asian stock markets mostly moved higher on Monday while oil prices fell sharply following remarks from US President Donald Trump suggesting that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict involving Iran were making progress. Investor sentiment improved on expectations that easing geopolitical tensions could stabilise energy supplies and reduce market volatility. In early trading, Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged by around 3.1%, reflecting strong buying activity. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also posted gains of approximately 0.4%, while the Shanghai Composite edged up by 0.4%. Markets in South Korea and Hong Kong were closed for a public holiday marking Buddha’s birthday, limiting regional trading volume. US markets were also shut for Memorial Day. Trump stated that discussions with Iran were proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner. According to regional reports, negotiations could lead to a potential agreement that may include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran reducing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Such developments are viewed as significant for global oil supply chains, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for crude exports from the Persian Gulf. Oil prices reacted strongly to the prospect of improved supply conditions. US benchmark crude fell by more than $4 per barrel, while Brent crude also recorded a similar decline. Analysts noted a shift in sentiment, with markets moving away from geopolitical risk pricing towards expectations of a so-called peace dividend. In currency markets, the US dollar weakened slightly against the Japanese yen and the euro strengthened modestly. The previous week on Wall Street had ended positively, with major indices extending their winning streak despite concerns over inflation and elevated bond yields. Overall, investor focus has shifted towards geopolitical developments and their potential impact on global energy markets.

Iran says US talks will begin Apr 10 in Islamabad on a 10-point plan; the Strait of Hormuz carries ~20% of seaborne oil (EIA 2019), raising short-term risk premia.

<p>In a significant diplomatic development, Iran and the United States held talks in Oman on Saturday, April 12, 2025, marking the first direct contact between the two nations since the Obama administ...

U.S. officials say negotiations between Iran and the United States have advanced meaningfully, but no final agreement has been reached. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that while “significant progress” has been made, key issues remain unresolved. He expressed cautious optimism that further developments could be announced soon, noting that the talks aim to reduce regional tensions and eliminate the risk of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that a deal had been “largely negotiated” following discussions with several regional leaders, including those from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Israel. However, officials involved in the process emphasised that critical details are still under negotiation. Central points in the draft framework reportedly include Iran’s commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons and arrangements concerning its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Some proposals suggest that uranium could be diluted or transferred to a third country, potentially Russia, over a 60-day negotiation period. The plan also reportedly involves gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz alongside easing restrictions on Iranian oil exports and potential sanctions relief. The talks are taking place amid broader regional instability, including ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the fragile ceasefire in place since April. Casualties have mounted on both sides of that conflict, adding urgency to diplomatic efforts. Despite signs of movement, officials caution that substantial obstacles remain before any formal agreement can be finalised.

After the first meeting in Oman this monthy, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi are meeting in Geneva to try to stop a new war.

After the first meeting in Oman this month the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi are meeting in Geneva to try and stop a new war.

Diplomatic activity involving Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and US reignites speculation about resumed Tehran-Washington dialogue. Iranian FM visits Muscat whilst President Pezeshkian sends letter to Saudi king interpreted as discreet overture.