US, Iran make 'encouraging progress' after hours-long talks in Burgenstock; agree on roadmap to reach final peace deal in 60 days

AI Summary

US and Iran made encouraging progress in peace talks held in Burgenstock, agreeing on a roadmap to finalize a deal within 60 days. They also agreed to establish communication lines to avoid incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and mechanisms to end the war in Lebanon, under mediation by Pakistan and Qatar.

Key developments: US-Iran agree to a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days; technical-level talks to continue for the rest of the week in Switzerland US-Iran agree to set up a communication line” to avoid incidents in the Strait of Hormuz; agree to a mechanism to end war in Lebanon Iran’s foreign minister says “tireless” efforts by Pakistan Qatar has delivered “major progress” to end Lebanon war; says Iran has secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan After hours-long negotiations in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, the United States and Iran agreed on a roadmap towards reaching a final peace deal in 60 days, a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar early on Monday said. The talks, which began on Sunday and stretched into Monday, were held under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the two sides on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also signed the breakthrough interim peace deal as a mediator, marking a significant step toward ending the conflict that began in late February. The joint statement issued by Pakistan and Qatar on Monday after the second round of direct talks between the two sides — the first having been held in Islamabad in April — said the first session of the talks under the framework of the Islamabad MoU had concluded with the participation of representatives from Iran, the US and the mediators. “The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made, including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks,” the statement read. It added that building on the Islamabad MoU, the two sides had agreed to the establishment of a high-level committee, “which will provide political oversight on the mediation”. “Chief negotiators will report regularly to the high-level committee and lead working groups focused on nuclear and sanctions [issues], and a monitoring and dispute resolution group to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, and on other matters,” it said. According to the statement, the high-level committee had agreed on a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks. In addition, a communication line between the US and Iran would be established for 60 days “to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz”. The joint statement said both sides had also agreed on the creation of a “de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the mediators, to ensure the adherence to the termination of military operations in Lebanon as per the MoU”. “Technical talks will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort on all issues,” it added. “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.” Concluding the statement, the mediators appreciated the US and Iran for their “ongoing commitment to diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to the conflict”. “The mediating parties further commend brotherly and friendly countries for their continued support and valuable contribution to the ongoing negotiations,” the statement read. Soon after the foreign ministries of Pakistan and Qatar posted the joint statement on X, Iranian Foreign Minister shared it on his account, saying that “tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end the Lebanon war”. “Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction and development plan launched for Iran,” he said. “1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell,” he said. Earlier, an American official said several key issues, including “all elements of the nuclear deal” with Iran, were discussed during the talks. “We’ve had robust discussions on all elements of the nuclear deal,” the official said, speaking of a key sticking point between the two sides. The official detailed that the discussion also covered “clarifying some of the confusing messaging from Iran on the Strait [of Hormuz] and building deconfliction mechanisms to ensure the strait will remain fully open. We have also worked through deconfliction mechanisms and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon”. “We plan to continue working through each of these issues and using today’s work as a starting point for ongoing technical talks going forward,” the official said. Closed-door negotiations Closed-door quadripartite negotiations between the US and Iran had kicked off on Sunday, with Qatar and Pakistan participating in a mediatory role. As the talks began, US President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth