The first round of talks between senior U.S. and Iranian officials ended in Switzerland on Monday, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan, who said the two sides had agreed to a roadmap for a final deal within 60 days.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said technical talks would continue in Switzerland’s Buergenstock for the rest of the week. “Building on the [Memorandum of Understanding], the parties have agreed to the establishment of a high-level committee, which will provide political oversight on the mediation,” it said. The chief negotiators, it continued, would report regularly to this committee, as well as the lead working groups focusing on nuclear, sanctions, “and a monitoring and dispute resolution group to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, and on other matters.”
The statement noted a communication line had been established between Iran and the United States for the period spanning the talks to “avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The parties have also agreed to the formation of a “de-confliction cell” to ensure the end of Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
“The mediating parties will continue to do their utmost to ensure that the negotiations continue to be conducted in a constructive atmosphere with the aim of reaching a final deal,” it said, adding the mediating parties commended brotherly and friendly nations for their continued support and valuable contributions to the ongoing negotiations.
The statement was issued after U.S. Vice President JD Vance began talks with Iranian officials on Sunday under the terms of the MoU reached last week. In a post on social media, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan for Iran. “1st real test: Lebanon de-confliction cell,” he added.
Ahead of the statement, Tehran and Washington also traded barbs, with Iran once more shutting down the Strait of Hormuz over ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon. Trump, in turn, repeated his threats to resume attacks on Iran if the Strait were closed again.