US-Iran talks make progress in Switzerland

The United States and Iran have agreed to continue technical talks after negotiations in Switzerland ended with signs of progress, mediators said.

Qatar and Pakistan said the two sides would create a high-level committee to guide the process.

Working groups will focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, economic sanctions and how any future deal would be carried out.

Iran said sanctions on its oil exports had been lifted and some frozen assets had been released after the talks.

The negotiations were briefly disrupted after Donald Trump warned that the US could resume strikes on Iran if no deal was reached.

The two sides also agreed to open a direct line to manage incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipping.

They also plan a separate channel to reduce tensions in Lebanon.