Pezeshkian’s visit comes a day after senior U.S. and Iranian officials held negotiations in Switzerland, where Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf launched a 60-day diplomatic process intended to produce a permanent settlement following the recent war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The talks have exposed differences over key implementation details. Vance said discussions in Switzerland included an understanding that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be allowed to visit Iranian nuclear facilities. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday that no inspections had been scheduled for sites previously damaged in U.S. strikes.

The IAEA has maintained a presence in Iran since the 2025 conflict between Israel and Iran, but inspectors have not been granted access to several enrichment facilities targeted during the hostilities.

Security was heightened across parts of Islamabad as Pezeshkian met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit marks the Iranian leader’s first trip to Pakistan since the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran on Feb. 28.

Ahead of the meetings, Pezeshkian stressed that progress in the negotiations would depend on all parties fulfilling their commitments.

“The effectiveness of the talks depends on full commitment to the agreed obligations and their precise implementation,” Pezeshkian wrote on the social media platform X. “Progress on this path will be measured by practical adherence to accepted responsibilities.”

Iranian officials said the ongoing technical discussions in Switzerland have established several working groups focused on sanctions relief, nuclear issues, postwar reconstruction and verification mechanisms.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said negotiators had also created coordination mechanisms related to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to reduce tensions along the Israel-Lebanon frontier.

One of the key outcomes of the initial negotiations was an agreement to establish a “de-confliction cell” intended to address hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar said the mechanism would involve the Lebanese government and seek to uphold the cessation of military operations.

Questions remain, however, about the effectiveness of the arrangement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israeli forces would retain full operational freedom to respond to perceived threats, while Hezbollah has maintained that it will not halt attacks permanently unless Israel withdraws from contested areas in southern Lebanon.

Neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a formal participant in the U.S.-Iran negotiating framework, complicating efforts to translate diplomatic understandings into durable security arrangements on the ground.

U.S. President Donald Trump, when asked about Netanyahu’s remarks, said Washington would monitor developments closely and expressed confidence that outstanding issues could be resolved.

A ceasefire in Lebanon brokered over the weekend appeared to be holding on Tuesday, with no immediate reports of renewed strikes by either side.

Lebanese and Israeli officials were expected to hold another round of direct talks in Washington later on Tuesday, with discussions focused on potential arrangements for an Israeli military withdrawal and broader security guarantees along the border.

The negotiations represent one of the most significant diplomatic efforts in the region since the end of the Iran conflict and are being closely watched by governments concerned about nuclear oversight, maritime security and the risk of renewed hostilities across the Middle East.

The meeting at the Swiss resort of Buergenstock brought together U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Iranian officials and mediators from Qatar and Pakistan in the first diplomatic engagement since Washington and Tehran agreed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending months of regional conflict.

The accord, reached last week, calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been fighting Hezbollah since March. Iran has accused Washington of failing to ensure implementation of those commitments and said substantive negotiations would not proceed until conditions on the ground improve.

“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump said in a statement, signaling the possibility of renewed military escalation despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Iranian officials responded by narrowing the scope of Sunday’s discussions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the talks would focus only on implementation of the memorandum rather than broader issues such as Iran’s nuclear program, arguing that commitments related to Lebanon had not been fulfilled.

Baghaei said Tehran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz again stemmed from continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon despite a ceasefire announced on Friday. Iran’s Fars news agency cited a military source as saying no new permits were being issued for ships seeking to transit the strategic waterway.

The move has renewed concerns over global energy supplies. The strait serves as one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, and its earlier closure during the conflict caused major disruptions to international energy markets.

U.S. officials questioned Iran’s assertion that the waterway had been fully closed. However, shipping data indicated a sharp decline in vessel movements following Tehran’s announcement, with significantly fewer tankers reported transiting the passage compared with recent days.

At the talks, Vance sought to project optimism, saying progress had been made toward reducing violence in Lebanon despite continuing instability.

“These things are always a little bit messy,” he told reporters.

Earlier on Sunday, Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on the sidelines of the negotiations. The meeting featured cordial exchanges among the participants as diplomatic efforts continued to secure broader regional stability.

Under the memorandum, Washington and Tehran are expected to hold 60 days of negotiations covering Iran’s nuclear activities, sanctions relief and economic measures. Iran has said initial economic benefits, including sanctions waivers and access to frozen assets, must be delivered before more substantive commitments can be discussed.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed confidence that negotiations could support economic recovery and said initial progress had already enabled Tehran to regain access to part of its financial resources.

Despite diplomatic engagement, conditions in Lebanon remain fragile. Lebanese authorities reported 20 deaths from Israeli strikes on Saturday, while military teams continued clearing unexploded ordnance from southern towns. Reuters journalists observed residents returning to parts of southern Lebanon on Sunday, suggesting a tentative improvement in security conditions despite the absence of a durable ceasefire.

The negotiations represent the most significant direct diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran since the outbreak of hostilities earlier this year, but sharp disagreements over Lebanon and maritime access underscore the challenges facing efforts to secure a lasting regional settlement.

According to the report, the draft agreement also calls for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and links sanctions relief for Iran to compliance with the terms of the deal. It also outlines a framework for Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, while leaving detailed nuclear commitments for a later comprehensive agreement.

The memorandum is said to have been mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, and would be referred to as the “Islamabad agreement” if finalized, according to Axios.
Axios, citing a diplomat from one of the mediating countries and a US official, reported that both sides had broadly agreed on the text, although final approval was still pending.

The sources said Iranian leadership had given preliminary approval, though questions remained over final endorsement at the highest level.

US President Donald Trump was quoted as saying that he had halted planned military strikes after progress in negotiations and suggested that an agreement could be signed within days. However, Iranian officials told state media that no final conclusion had been reached, and said changes in US positions and new demands had delayed finalization of the text.

The draft reportedly includes provisions for a 60-day ceasefire window during which broader nuclear talks would continue, alongside mechanisms for managing Iran’s nuclear material under international supervision. It also includes financial provisions, with Iran seeking immediate disbursement of funds upon signing, while US officials reportedly favor phased release based on compliance.

Axios reported that the White House has repeatedly believed a deal was imminent over the past two months, but negotiations have previously stalled due to unresolved issues between the two sides.

During a telephone conversation, Motegi stressed the importance of preserving the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and concluding an agreement swiftly, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry. He also reiterated Japan’s support for ongoing U.S.-Iran dialogue and said Tokyo would continue coordinating with Qatar and the broader international community.

The talks came at a sensitive moment in regional diplomacy following reports that the United States and Iran had reached a preliminary understanding on extending a ceasefire and launching negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, pending final approval from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Motegi described the discussion with Sheikh Mohammed as timely given the critical stage of U.S.-Iran relations and praised Qatar’s mediation role in regional diplomacy.

Both ministers emphasized the strategic importance of ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital energy shipping lanes. Concerns over maritime security in the Gulf have intensified in recent weeks amid military tensions involving Iran and the United States.

Motegi also underscored the long-standing energy partnership between Japan and Qatar, requesting continued cooperation to maintain stable energy supplies for Japan, which remains heavily dependent on imported liquefied natural gas and crude oil from the Middle East.
The Japanese minister additionally conveyed condolences over the death of former Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, crediting him with playing a major role in developing Qatar’s liquefied natural gas industry and strengthening bilateral ties.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to diplomacy and dialogue as the preferred means of resolving regional disputes, according to statements released after the call. He said Doha would continue working with Tokyo to ease tensions and contribute to stability around the Strait of Hormuz.

The Qatari prime minister also expressed support for expanding bilateral cooperation with Japan, particularly in the energy sector, as both countries pledged continued coordination aimed at promoting long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.

Israel’s attorney general’s office said an indictment against Netanyahu aide Yonatan Urich would be filed in a Tel Aviv court following a hearing process with his legal team.

According to a letter sent to Urich’s lawyers and reviewed by AFP, prosecutors intend to charge him with transmitting classified information, possession and transfer of classified materials, and destruction of evidence.

The investigation centers on the alleged leak of a classified document linked to Israel’s war in Gaza in 2024, in violation of Israeli military censorship regulations.

The leaked material was reportedly used to reinforce Netanyahu’s public position that Hamas was not genuinely pursuing a ceasefire agreement and that hostages seized during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks could only be freed through sustained military pressure.

Israeli authorities have already indicted two former Netanyahu advisers, Eli Feldstein and Ari Rosenfeld, in connection with the same case.

The legal pressure surrounding Netanyahu’s inner circle has intensified in recent months amid multiple investigations linked to the government’s conduct during the Gaza conflict and allegations involving foreign lobbying.

Urich is also among the figures implicated in the so-called “Qatargate” affair, in which several close Netanyahu associates are suspected of working to promote the interests of Qatar within Israel while Doha played a central mediation role in hostage and ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Qatar has hosted senior Hamas officials for years and has frequently acted as an intermediary in indirect negotiations involving Israel, Hamas and international mediators during the Gaza war.

Israeli media reports have alleged that a consulting firm headed by Urich, a former spokesperson for Netanyahu’s Likud party, was hired to improve Qatar’s international image ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Separately, Israeli prosecutors said earlier this week they were considering charges against Netanyahu’s former chief of staff Tzachi Braverman for alleged fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice related to the classified document leak investigation.

The case adds to mounting political and legal scrutiny surrounding Netanyahu’s administration as Israel continues military operations in Gaza and faces growing domestic divisions over the handling of the war and hostage negotiations.

The confrontation marked the latest escalation in a 10-week war that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and has since destabilized shipping lanes, disrupted oil exports and widened hostilities across the Middle East.U.S. Central Command said an F/A-18 Super Hornet used precision-guided munitions against the two vessels to prevent them from continuing toward Iranian waters through the Gulf of Oman, a strategic maritime corridor connected to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials condemned the attack as a breach of the ceasefire and accused Washington of undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts.An Iranian military official told local media that naval forces had “responded to the violation of the ceasefire and to American terrorism with strikes,” adding that the clashes had subsequently ended.

The incident followed renewed tensions overnight in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy transit chokepoint through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader compared strategic control of the strait to possessing “an atomic bomb.”U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Rome that Washington expected Tehran’s response later Friday to a new American proposal aimed at extending the truce to facilitate broader negotiations.

“It is unacceptable” for Iran to control the strategic waterway, Rubio told reporters, expressing hope Tehran would present “a serious offer.”At the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration anticipated receiving a formal Iranian response by nightfall.“I’m getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we’ll see how that goes,” Trump said.

According to regional officials, Washington delivered the latest ceasefire proposal through Pakistani mediators, seeking an extension of the Gulf truce to create space for negotiations over a permanent settlement.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the proposal remained “under review,” according to the ISNA news agency.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Irvani, submitted a letter to the U.N. Security Council accusing the United States of violating the ceasefire through the tanker strikes.In Washington, Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met U.S. Vice President JD Vance to discuss Pakistani-led mediation efforts aimed at securing a lasting peace arrangement.

Satellite imagery released Friday indicated an expanding oil slick off Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s principal oil export terminal. Monitoring firm Orbital EOS estimated the spill covered more than 20 square miles off the island’s western coastline, though the cause was not immediately determined.

Kharg Island remains central to Iran’s oil export infrastructure and sits north of the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial shipping disruptions since February have contributed to heightened volatility in global energy markets.Iran largely closed the strait following the outbreak of war on Feb. 28, prompting sharp increases in oil prices and renewed security deployments by Western naval forces.

The United States later imposed a maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports.Trump earlier this week announced a naval initiative aimed at reopening the strait to commercial traffic before reversing course in favor of renewed diplomacy.On a parallel front in Lebanon, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said it launched missiles toward an Israeli military base near Nahariya in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon.

Hours later, Hezbollah announced a separate drone attack targeting another Israeli base in the north.Israel has continued operations against Hezbollah despite an existing ceasefire agreement. On Wednesday, Israeli forces carried out their first strike in a month on Beirut’s southern suburbs, saying a senior Hezbollah commander had been killed.

Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes in the south killed 10 people on Friday, including women and children, while Lebanon’s civil defense agency said one of its personnel was also killed.The escalation comes ahead of planned direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Washington next week, talks Hezbollah has publicly opposed.

The framework outlines a structured roadmap built on eight key protocols. These protocols aim to guide both sides toward sustainable reconciliation and improved security conditions. Officials from Congo and M23 described the document as a constructive turning point.
While work remains ahead, both sides expressed readiness to continue dialogue and build momentum toward peace.

The agreement is part of a broader initiative supported by Qatar and the United States. Both nations have invested diplomatic effort to help end decades of violence that have destabilized the Great Lakes region.

International envoys praised the document as an important building block in a gradual peace process.

They emphasised that meaningful transformation requires patience, collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders.

Although several protocols still require detailed implementation plans, negotiators remain optimistic. They stressed that progress is steady and that the current framework strengthens earlier agreements already in place.

The first two protocols, covering prisoner exchanges and ceasefire monitoring, have begun the early stages of implementation. Leaders acknowledged that processes take time but affirmed that every step moves the parties closer to lasting peace.

Throughout years of conflict, eastern Congo has suffered severe humanitarian consequences. Thousands have been displaced, and numerous communities continue to hope for stability and reconstruction.

Despite past escalations, the new agreement signals a shared determination to reduce tensions. Participants in the Doha talks highlighted the importance of restoring trust between communities on the ground.

The situation in eastern Congo remains complex due to the presence of multiple armed groups.
However, the commitment shown in Doha demonstrates that diplomacy remains a powerful tool for change.

The peace framework addresses the foundations needed for confidence-building. It encourages continued dialogue, improved security oversight and cooperative measures to stabilise affected regions.

Qatar, serving as a neutral mediator, has facilitated several rounds of discussions since April. Its role has been widely welcomed by international observers who view the Gulf state as an effective bridge between parties.

In July, earlier talks produced a declaration of principles that laid the groundwork for Saturday’s milestone. In October, both sides committed to a structure for monitoring an eventual ceasefire.

These agreements form part of a larger diplomatic architecture that continues to evolve. The latest signing adds momentum and strengthens the political will behind long-term peace.

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs expressed confidence in the direction of the process. He affirmed that peace emerges not through force but through trust, respect and consistent engagement.

Congo’s representatives also voiced optimism. They said the framework demonstrates that dialogue can overcome even the most entrenched challenges.

Regional leaders have echoed similar sentiments, noting that cooperation among African nations is essential. They believe that successful implementation could become a model for addressing other regional conflicts.

Communities in North Kivu and South Kivu hope the renewed efforts will lead to security improvements. In many villages, residents are eager for safer conditions, restored livelihoods and opportunities to rebuild.

While challenges remain, the tone of collaboration in Doha marks a promising chapter. Both sides appear committed to continuing negotiations with transparency and sincerity.

As the peace process advances, the international community remains ready to offer support. Diplomatic partners say they will continue working alongside Congo and M23 to ensure stability, recovery and reconciliation.

The signing ceremony in Qatar represents more than a diplomatic achievement. It symbolizes determination, shared purpose and the possibility of a peaceful future for eastern Congo.

The development signals a potential shift in the group’s posture amid increasing diplomatic momentum and heightened security concerns for its leadership.

Among those reportedly ordered to disarm are high-ranking figures central to Hamas’s military, financial, and diplomatic operations:

Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’s negotiating delegation,

Zaher Jabarin, the group’s chief financier, and

Muhammad Ismail Darwish, head of the religious council and liaison to Turkey and Iran.

According to Israeli media outlet Ynet, al-Hayya, who has been a key figure in hostage negotiations, has become acutely concerned for his safety since Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly named him as the next assassination target.

These fears have reportedly influenced al-Hayya’s stance at the negotiation table. Insiders say he has now expressed openness to the latest ceasefire draft and is no longer opposing a temporary truce—a marked departure from earlier Hamas demands for a total end to the war before any hostage release.

Qatar’s reported demand that al-Hayya and his security team surrender their weapons has further deepened his sense of vulnerability. Analysts suggest that this disarmament may improve the chances of Hamas accepting the proposed ceasefire, which includes phased hostage releases in exchange for a halt in hostilities.

Israeli officials have expressed cautious optimism. “There is cause for hope,” a senior official in Jerusalem said, echoing similar sentiments from international diplomats who believe that a resolution may finally be within reach.

“There’s a big opportunity right now,” one diplomat briefed on the negotiations told the Associated Press. “The signals we’re getting show that people are ready.”

The diplomat added that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent sharp criticism of Israel has inadvertently emboldened Hamas by suggesting that Washington may now act as a more assertive guarantor in any future deal—something Hamas has long demanded.

Meanwhile, sources close to Hamas told Saudi daily Al Akhbar that the group was “satisfied” with new language added to the ceasefire proposal. The updated version reportedly includes stronger guarantees to end the war—an essential condition for Hamas to accept any deal.

A formal response from Hamas is expected by Friday. However, the nature and scope of American guarantees remain undisclosed.

Israeli officials have downplayed the significance of these foreign assurances.

“Israel is not bound by commitments made by the United States or any mediator,” one official stated.