ISLAMABAD – WASHINGTON and Tehran reported progress on multiple contentious issues following high-level negotiations in Switzerland, with both sides agreeing to continue technical discussions aimed at reaching a broader agreement in the coming weeks.

Speaking after the talks, US Vice President JD Vance said the discussions had resulted in understandings on several key issues, including the return of international nuclear inspectors, mechanisms governing Iran’s frozen assets and arrangements intended to preserve navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Vance, technical teams from both countries remained engaged after lengthy overnight negotiations and would continue working on the details of the preliminary understandings reached during the meeting.

He said the United States hoped inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could resume shortly, describing the development as a positive step towards a more comprehensive settlement.

The talks took place in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, where mediators sought to build on recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions and establishing a framework for future negotiations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the outcome of the meeting, saying the discussions had generated momentum towards a negotiated settlement between the two countries.

In a statement, he said participants had agreed to establish a high-level oversight mechanism and pursue a roadmap designed to facilitate a final agreement within the next two months.

The premier also acknowledged the role played by Qatar and Switzerland in supporting the diplomatic process, while reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

Iran, however, offered a more cautious assessment of the discussions.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the nuclear issue had only been touched upon briefly and insisted that substantive negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme had not yet begun.

Nevertheless, he described the talks as productive and said the parties had agreed on several measures intended to create conditions for future negotiations.

Among the issues discussed were maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, the possible release of Iranian assets held abroad and arrangements related to regional ceasefire efforts, particularly in Lebanon.

Baghaei said technical experts would continue consultations on the implementation of the understandings reached in Switzerland, expressing hope that all parties would demonstrate seriousness in moving the process forward.

The negotiations, facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar, concluded after nearly 18 hours of discussions, with both sides indicating a willingness to maintain diplomatic engagement despite persistent differences on key issues.

ISLAMABAD – A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was felt in Islamabad and several cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab on Monday, prompting residents to leave their homes and offices in panic.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the earthquake originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region and occurred at a depth of 215 kilometres.

Tremors were reported in Islamabad, Peshawar, Buner, Bajaur, Faisalabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Khushab, Battagram, Mansehra, Swat, and Abbottabad, among other areas.

Residents in several cities rushed outdoors and recited prayers as the tremors were felt.

Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property.

The latest earthquake comes days after similar tremors were recorded in various parts of the country, reflecting the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity due to its proximity to major tectonic fault lines.

Pakistan frequently experiences earthquakes, particularly in its northern and western regions, which lie along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

GENEVA – Iran said on Sunday that negotiations with the United States were not its preferred course of action, even as senior officials from both countries gathered in Switzerland for a fresh round of talks aimed at advancing a preliminary agreement reached earlier this week.

Hojjatoleslam Abdollah Haji Sadeghi, the Supreme Leader’s representative to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said Tehran would engage in diplomacy “with power and caution” but stressed that negotiations were not Iran’s primary option.

“Our primary option is the field of jihad, whether on the battlefield or in the streets,” Iranian media quoted him as saying, adding that Tehran was not concerned about the prospect of talks failing.

The negotiations follow a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on June 18 that laid the groundwork for a ceasefire and a broader diplomatic process between Washington and Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said discussions in Switzerland would focus on ensuring implementation of commitments contained in the agreement, particularly provisions related to the cessation of hostilities, Iran’s oil exports and the release of frozen assets.

Tehran has also indicated that alleged Israeli violations of the Lebanon ceasefire will feature prominently in the talks.

“The Zionist regime continues to violate its commitments in Lebanon; this issue will be the main topic of discussion,” an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said.

President Masoud Pezeshkian described the understanding reached with Washington as being largely in Iran’s interest, saying it would allow the country to regain access to financial resources currently held abroad.

Speaking in Tehran, Mr Pezeshkian expressed optimism that $6 billion in Iranian funds frozen in Qatar would be released as negotiations progressed. He also reiterated that Iran had no intention of developing nuclear weapons, describing that position as consistent with the country’s longstanding policy.

The Iranian president further accused Israel of opposing the diplomatic process and attempting to prolong instability in the region.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland to participate in the talks, expressing hope that progress could be achieved on both Iran’s nuclear programme and the situation in Lebanon.

“I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire issue,” Mr Vance told reporters before departing for Switzerland.

The negotiations come against the backdrop of renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned of risks to shipping following Israeli military actions in Lebanon. However, US officials said commercial traffic through the strategic waterway continued uninterrupted.

Iran’s delegation is being led by senior officials including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, while the US team includes Mr Vance and senior envoy Steve Witkoff.

Pakistani officials are also participating in the discussions alongside representatives from Qatar, reflecting Islamabad’s role in facilitating the initial agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Technical-level negotiations are expected to continue beyond Sunday, with officials from both sides indicating that talks would proceed for as long as necessary.