Iran-US talks in Switzerland conclude, parties set 60-day roadmap for final deal

The first session of high-level talks under the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has concluded in Burgenstock, Switzerland, according to a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar on Monday.

The talks were conducted in a "positive and constructive atmosphere" and made "encouraging progress," including the establishment of a mechanism for further technical talks, the statement said.

Technical discussions will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort, the statement added.

Building on the MoU, the parties agreed to establish a High-Level Committee to provide political oversight of the mediation process. The committee also endorsed a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days, paving the way for the immediate launch of further technical negotiations.

In addition, the parties agreed to create a deconfliction cell to help ensure compliance with the cessation of military operations in Lebanon in accordance with the MoU, the statement said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Monday that "tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end the Lebanon War," writing on the social platform X.

"Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction and development plan launched for Iran," Araghchi said in the post.

On Sunday, the US and Iranian negotiators held talks at the Burgenstock mountain resort in central Switzerland on implementing the MoU signed by the two sides to reach a final agreement.

During the talks, the Iranian delegation protested that the United States had violated ceasefire commitments under the MoU, which called for an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. 

On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly ordered the military to cease fire in Lebanon. However, Katz said on Sunday that the army would not withdraw from the "security zone" it controls in southern Lebanon.

A source close to the Iranian negotiating team said that the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened if Israeli military operations in Lebanon continued and Lebanon's territorial integrity was not guaranteed.

(With input from Xinhua)