US and Iran agree 60-day roadmap to peace after first day of talks marred by Trump threats and walkout

Day one drama

Talks opened on Sunday in the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock after a memorandum of understanding last week extended a fragile ceasefire by 60 days. Hours before negotiators sat down, President Trump told Fox News he had warned Iran: "You close the strait and you won't have a country." Iran's state media said the delegation paused the talks after that "insulting message."

“You close it and you won't have a country. You won't even make it back to your fucking country.”

Tehran had already announced over the weekend that it was again blocking the Strait of Hormuz, arguing the US had failed to stop Israeli strikes in Lebanon that killed more than 30 people on Saturday.

The walkout

Iranian negotiators left the room and met Qatari mediators alone, according to Tasnim news. Chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Washington "would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond." A senior US diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted the Iranians "never left" and that talks continued deep into the night covering the strait, Lebanon, nuclear issues and MOU implementation.

“We do not take American threats into account. No matter what they say, we are ready.”

Trump also posted on Truth Social: "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don't, we'll hit Iran very hard again."

A roadmap emerges

When talks broke up just after 3am local time on Monday, mediators Qatar and Pakistan issued a joint statement saying the US and Iran had agreed to a roadmap for a final deal within 60 days. A "communication line" would be set up to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, and a "de-confliction cell" with Lebanon's government would work to halt the fighting.

“Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon war.”

Technical negotiations will continue for the rest of the week, with high-level talks expected to wrap up on Monday.

Oil markets sway

Brent crude jumped $1.09 to $81.66 a barrel on Sunday night (a high of $82.30 was touched at the start of trading Monday) as the Hormuz closure spooked markets. Prices later reversed, slipping toward $79 on Monday as signs of progress emerged.

What comes next

The roadmap faces immediate tests. Iran is demanding delivery of other parts of the MOU, including release of frozen assets and US waivers for oil exports, before substantive nuclear talks begin. Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue, and a de-confliction cell still needs to be stood up.