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AMMAN — Iran and the United States concluded the first round of talks in Switzerland on Monday, agreeing on a roadmap towards a final deal within 60 days and paving the way for immediate technical negotiations.
The talks, held at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, brought together delegations led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf under a preliminary memorandum of understanding signed last week to end the Middle East war.
Pakistan and Qatar, which are mediating the process, said, in a joint statement, that the negotiators had agreed on a framework for reaching a final agreement and announced the establishment of a contact mechanism aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and ending fighting in Lebanon.
Iran said Saturday it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again over Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
The Swiss foreign ministry welcomed the “constructive progress” achieved during the negotiations and said that the roadmap created the conditions for the immediate resumption of technical discussions.
“Our aim is that our diplomacy contributes to de-escalation, stability and peace,” the ministry said in a statement, cited by AFP.
Among the key outcomes of the first round was the creation of a de-confliction mechanism involving the United States, Iran and Lebanon to ensure adherence to the cessation of military operations in Lebanon.
The parties also agreed to establish a communication line aimed at preventing incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels during the 60-day negotiating period.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the Lebanon mechanism as the “first real test” of the agreement.
Iran and the United States have agreed to set up a "de-confliction cell" with Lebanon to stop military operations, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said in a joint statement on Monday.
"The parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon," the joint statement read.
Political analyst Amer Sabaileh said that reaching the negotiation stage was significant but warned that the process would likely face repeated setbacks.
“Every stage of these talks will have its ups and downs. Iran needs a political and media victory to strengthen its position at home, while Israel remains firmly committed to its own vision,” he said.
Sabaileh said that even issues that appear open to compromise are likely to be complicated by difficult details.
“Israel will continue to use all its security cards and may even open new fronts, whether in Gaza, the West Bank or Syria,” he said.
He added that Washington is likely to push for separate framework agreements on Lebanon, but that such efforts ultimately revolve around the issue of Hizbollah’s weapons.
“Iran may use this file as leverage, but it is essentially trying to buy time and gain advantages elsewhere by reshuffling priorities,” he said.
Observers have cautioned that the negotiations remain fragile and that developments in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz could determine whether the new roadmap leads to a final deal or another round of regional tensions.
