Iran's foreign minister announced 'progress' in talks with the US in Switzerland, despite Donald Trump's threats. A roadmap for a final deal within 60 days has been agreed upon, with ongoing technical discussions planned.
Key points
Iran's foreign minister declared progress in US talks
Talks took place in Switzerland amid Trump's threats
Good morning. Iran’s foreign minister has declared “progress” after the first day of talks between high-ranking officials from Washington and Tehran ended in Switzerland, despite a tense opening marked by Donald Trump’s threats to restart attacks.
Abbas Araghchi said Pakistani and Qatari mediation “has delivered major progress to end [the] Lebanon war”. Iran has been adamant that Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon must end as part of any deal. The Israelis are not directly participating in the talks.
What has been agreed? A joint statement from mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the US and Iran agreed a roadmap towards a final deal within 60 days. Technical talks between lower-ranked officials will continue for the rest of the week. In a development that is critical to unlocking progress, the US Treasury was also preparing to issue a 60-day waiver lifting sanctions on oil, petrochemicals and derivatives.
What threat did Trump issue to the Iranians? Over the weekend, Iran said it had reinstated its blockade in the strait of Hormuz in protest at the continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon. The US president responded on social media, saying: “You close it and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your fucking country.”
What impact has the war had on support within Iran for the government? Saeed Shah reports that the war has triggered a rare moment of solidarity in a country that was reeling from the killing of thousands of protesters by the authorities at the start of the year.
Keir Starmer to step down as UK prime minister two years after historic election victory
Keir Starmer stands at a wooden lectern set up on the street
Keir Starmer gives his resignation speech outside 10 Downing Street. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA
Keir Starmer has announced he will stand down as UK prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour party MPs, including cabinet ministers, following the return of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to Westminster. Starmer will stay in post in Downing Street until any leadership contest – or handover of power – is complete.
Q&A
What progress has Iran made in talks with the US?
Iran's foreign minister stated that significant progress has been made, including a roadmap for a final deal within 60 days.
What threats did Trump make regarding Iran's actions?
Trump threatened Iran on social media, warning that if they closed the Strait of Hormuz, they would not have a country to return to.
How has the Lebanon war affected support for the Iranian government?
The war has sparked a rare moment of solidarity within Iran, contrasting with earlier protests against the government.
What role did Pakistan and Qatar play in the US-Iran talks?
Pakistan and Qatar mediated the talks, which Iran's foreign minister credited with delivering major progress towards ending the Lebanon war.
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Starmer’s exit caps a calamitous fall from grace since becoming only the fourth Labour leader to win an election, taking more seats in 2024 than anyone since Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide. His successor will become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years.
Why has Starmer stood down? After months of internal party pressure and plunging poll numbers, his downfall has been triggered by key political misjudgments including appointing the Jeffery Epstein-linked Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite a failed security vetting. Policy reversals have led to his MPs viewing him as weak, a sentiment reinforced by devastating losses in the May elections that underscored his deep unpopularity with voters.
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The result is also being seen as further evidence of a wave of far-right candidates sweeping presidential elections across Latin America, after recent victories by Nasry Asfura in Honduras and José Antonio Kast in Chile, while Keiko Fujimori currently leads the vote count in Peru.
What is De la Espriella’s attitude to the US? In a video posted by the US Republican congresswoman María Elvira Salazar after the result, De la Espriella said: “To solve Colombia’s problems, we need to build a very close alliance with the US, which is not only our main trading partner but also our most important strategic ally in the fight against organised crime.”
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