Iran’s President Pezeshkian lands in Pakistan after US deal

High-ranking US and Iranian officials concluded the first day of talks in Switzerland, with Iran's foreign minister declaring "progress." Mediators Qatar and Pakistan announced that the US and Iran agreed to a 60-day roadmap towards a final deal, with technical talks continuing this week. A key agenda item is the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which threatens the agreement. The talks, led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran's parliamentary speaker Ghalibaf, aim to address Iran's nuclear program and other issues outlined in a recent memorandum of understanding. The US and Iran also agreed to establish a communication line for the Strait of Hormuz and a de-confliction cell for Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed a "deconfliction mechanism" with US Vice President JD Vance and the Qatari prime minister to consolidate the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Mediators Qatar and Pakistan announced the creation of a "deconfliction cell" to ensure the termination of military operations in Lebanon, aiming to prevent broader escalation. This discussion precedes renewed talks between Lebanon and Israel, scheduled to begin in the US on Tuesday. Hezbollah has condemned these talks, demanding Israeli withdrawal. US Vice President Vance stated the mechanism seeks to protect Lebanon's sovereignty and Israel's security, requiring coordination with the Lebanese armed forces and Iranian influence over Hezbollah. A fragile ceasefire has largely held, following intense hostilities that have caused significant damage and casualties in southern Lebanon.

US-Iran talks in Switzerland have resulted in a breakthrough, with Iran announcing the lifting of a blockade and the release of some frozen assets. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that oil and petrochemical exports are now waived, and a reconstruction and development plan has been launched for Iran. This progress was facilitated by Pakistani and Qatari mediation. The primary challenge moving forward is deconfliction in Lebanon, where Washington and Islamabad have agreed to establish a "deconfliction cell" to monitor the cessation of military operations. The specific details of this deconfliction framework were not elaborated upon in the joint statement issued by Qatar and Pakistan.

Iran's delegation walked out of talks with the United States in Switzerland on Sunday. These negotiations aimed to permanently end a Middle East war and initiate a 60-day period to resolve long-standing US-Iranian issues. The walkout occurred after US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran due to its support for Hezbollah. Disagreements over key issues and the potential for renewed fighting in Lebanon also impacted the discussions, with both nations exchanging threats alongside the negotiations.

On Friday, 18 people were killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. The Lebanese health ministry reported that the strikes, which occurred overnight and into the morning, also wounded 33 people and prevented the evacuation of casualties in at least 10 villages and towns. Israel's military stated that its soldiers were killed in Lebanon for the first time since a US-Iran deal aimed at halting the Middle East war. Israel claimed it was targeting Hezbollah, while the Iran-backed militant group asserted it was attacking Israeli forces near the southern town of Nabatieh.

Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon have resulted in at least three deaths, according to Lebanese state media. These strikes occurred despite a US-Iran interim agreement that reportedly calls for a cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. On Thursday, an Israeli drone attack near Kfar Tebnit killed two people, and a separate strike in Zabadin claimed one life. Another drone strike in Beit Yahoun wounded two individuals. The attacks come as Israel faces pressure to halt its operations and withdraw forces from Lebanon as part of the US-Iran agreement. However, Israel's military has released a map indicating its forces are positioned about 10km into Lebanese territory, potentially violating a 2022 maritime agreement concerning Lebanon's gas project.

Despite a US-Iran agreement aimed at ending conflict, Israeli air strikes continue to target southern Lebanon. On Wednesday, Israeli drones attacked Tyre and the Bint Jbeil district, causing injuries. Hezbollah also launched rockets towards Israeli forces. Iran has warned that continued Israeli strikes and occupation of Lebanese territory would violate the deal, viewing the situation in Lebanon as a sensitive and integral part of the agreement. Amnesty International stated that Israel's forced displacement of civilians in southern Lebanon constitutes war crimes. While overall violence has reduced since the agreement's announcement, residents express concern about Israel's adherence to a ceasefire.

Israel conducted new airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting the Nabatieh al-Fawqa area and the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. These strikes occurred despite US President Donald Trump's criticism on Tuesday, where he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be "more responsible" regarding Lebanon and stated that Israel had been fighting Hezbollah for "too long." The Israeli military has previously stated its targets are the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. Both Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged attacks since a US-Iran agreement, which mediator Pakistan says includes Lebanon, was announced. An earlier Israeli airstrike on Beirut in response to a Hezbollah rocket attack had also put pressure on finalizing this deal.