US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Switzerland as preparations accelerate for a fresh round of US–Iran negotiations, following a recently announced memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at de-escalating tensions in West Asia, Axios reported citing US and diplomatic sources.
According to the report, Witkoff is heading to Switzerland where initial discussions on a potential nuclear agreement with Iran are expected to take place. A US official also confirmed that Senior Adviser and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is already in Switzerland ahead of the talks.
The negotiations were originally scheduled for Friday but were postponed amid escalating hostilities involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, a ceasefire was later reached following renewed strikes earlier in the day, as diplomatic efforts intensified to stabilize the region. CNN reported that Israel and Hezbollah agreed to reinstate a ceasefire effective from 9 a.m. local time, with mediation reportedly involving the United States and Qatar, alongside support from Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also expected to travel to Switzerland, although his participation may depend on developments linked to the regional ceasefire. Sources suggest Tehran views the Lebanon ceasefire as a key factor in determining whether the talks proceed, with one mediator describing it as potentially “make or break” for the negotiations.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has already arrived in Switzerland, with Doha continuing its role as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran. Switzerland has confirmed that while the talks were postponed, it remains prepared to host and facilitate discussions at the Burgenstock venue.
The proposed 14-point US–Iran MoU reportedly includes provisions for a permanent halt to military operations in the region, steps toward easing sanctions, release of frozen Iranian assets, and long-term economic cooperation frameworks, with a target of reaching a final agreement within 60 days.
Qatar has reiterated its support for continued dialogue, stressing that diplomatic engagement remains the only viable path toward resolving outstanding issues between the two sides.
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