ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that it held “very brief” discussions with the United States on the nuclear issue during high-level talks in Switzerland, describing the exchange as “simply an expression of positions” as its delegation headed back home. 

“The American delegation, in part of its speech, stated its positions on the nuclear issue in a very brief manner. The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran also presented its positions,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told the state-run IRNA news agency. 

A first round of talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland’s mountainside Burgenstock resort, named the Lake Lucerne Summit, concluded early on Monday. The negotiations are aimed at reaching a permanent end to the Iran war. 

Baghaei described the exchange as “simply an expression of positions,” explaining that it is still “too early” to discuss a final agreement and “it cannot be said that negotiations on the nuclear issue have begun.” 

He said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “warned the other side against repeating excessive and irrational views on the nuclear issue.” 

Pakistan and Qatar, the mediators, issued a joint statement earlier on Monday, announcing that a “High Level Committee” was formed to oversee the discussions between the US and Iran and that the talks were carried out in a “positive and constructive atmosphere.”

“Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks,” the mediators said. 

Despite the digital signing of the memorandum, hostilities have continued in Lebanon as Israel and Hezbollah exchange heavy fire, with the two sides blaming each other for violating a ceasefire agreement.

The US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance while Iranian chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led the Iranian side, with Foreign Minister Araghchi also present.