A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran to end the war triggered by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 is on track for signing this Friday at the Burgenstock resort in central Switzerland, the Swiss Foreign Ministry has confirmed to the Anadolu news agency.
According to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, it has been engaging with the U.S., Iran, Pakistan and Qatar to finalize arrangements for the signing. “At this stage, the signing is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at Bürgenstock in the canton of Nidwalden,” spokesperson Pierre-Alain Eltschinger told Anadolu in a statement.
All four stakeholders proposed the location, said the Swiss, noting Switzerland was acting as a facilitator to create the practical and diplomatic conditions required for the meeting. According to Iran, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf would lead its delegation, while Islamabad has confirmed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would head its representation.
While details of the contents of the MoU remain unclear, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in France on Tuesday it clearly stated Iran would not have a nuclear weapon. He further said he would release the full text of the MoU in a “formal” setting, adding he was amenable to sending the agreement for review to Congress.
The deal, reportedly, grants both sides 60 days to negotiate on contentious points, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. However, per Trump, the U.S. has not agreed to invest any money into Iran. He also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for attacks on Lebanon but maintained the deal could survive even if Tel Aviv continues its aggression.
Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said the next round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. would commence after the signing of the MoU on Friday. However, he warned, any Israeli attack on Lebanon or continued presence on Lebanese territory from now on constituted a violation of the interim agreement with the United States.
He said the talks would be divided into two parts, with initial discussions focusing on issues such as the status of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. naval blockade, and reconstruction of Iran’s infrastructure. The second stage, he said, would cover nuclear issues and sanctions relief.
Separately, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Doha hopes the agreement would enable the revival of its shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG). “We hope the MoU will help open the navigation in Hormuz so that Qatar can continue supplying LNG,” a spokesperson told a press conference.
“We are supporting the Pakistani-led mediation, working in support of the efforts of our brothers in Pakistan,” the spokesperson said. “And we must praise here the role Pakistan has played to get us to this point and the role it will play going forward as the main mediator,” he added.