The first round of US-Iran talks aimed at reaching a final agreement to end the war has concluded with what mediators Qatar and Pakistan described as “encouraging progress”.
The negotiations took place in Switzerland on Sunday, following an initial agreement reached last week between the two sides. Technical discussions are expected to continue throughout the week.
Roadmap towards 60-day agreement
In a joint statement, Qatar and Pakistan said a High Level Committee had agreed to a roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal within 60 days.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the US Iran talks had delivered “major progress” in efforts to end the conflict in Lebanon, where fighting has intensified in recent weeks.
The memorandum of understanding signed last week reportedly includes commitments to halt fighting across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Communication channels established
The mediators said a communication line has been created to prevent incidents and miscommunication, particularly to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
A separate de-confliction mechanism between the US, Iran and Lebanon has also been agreed, facilitated by mediating countries, aimed at reducing military escalation and ending operations in Lebanon.
Continued regional tensions
Despite diplomatic efforts linked to the US-Iran talks, violence has continued in Lebanon, with Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah attacks reported in recent days.
The escalation prompted renewed ceasefire efforts, while Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, although maritime tracking data indicates that commercial shipping has continued through the waterway.
Leaders trade warnings during negotiations
During the talks, US officials urged Iran to halt support for regional proxy groups and warned of further action if instability continued.
Iranian negotiators rejected the threats, insisting that their country would continue to respond to developments in the region.
Nuclear issue remains unresolved
While progress has been reported, the central issue of Iran’s nuclear programme remains unresolved and is expected to be addressed in further rounds of negotiations.
US officials have indicated openness to a broader diplomatic reset if Iran agrees to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions and reduce regional tensions.
Next phase of negotiations expected
The talks were attended by senior officials from the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan, with mediation roles played by both Gulf and regional actors.
Further technical discussions are expected in the coming days as negotiators work toward a potential comprehensive agreement within the 60-day framework.
Also read: Obama to Trump: The US may be in a worse position after the war with Iran
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