Maha Christopher
The first round of negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at securing a final agreement to end the ongoing conflict has concluded with what mediators described as “encouraging progress.”
According to the BBC, the talks, held in Switzerland on Sunday, followed last week’s preliminary agreement between both countries and are expected to continue at the technical level throughout the week.
In a joint statement released early Monday, mediators Qatar and Pakistan announced that a high-level committee had agreed on a roadmap to reach a final deal within 60 days.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, described the discussions as having delivered “major progress,” particularly regarding efforts to end the conflict in Lebanon.
The memorandum of understanding signed last week includes commitments to halt hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and work towards a comprehensive peace agreement.
According to the mediators, both sides also agreed to establish a communication channel aimed at preventing misunderstandings and ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
A separate de-confliction mechanism involving the United States, Iran and Lebanon is also expected to be created to help end military operations in Lebanon.
The talks come amid continued tensions in the region. Despite the ceasefire framework, clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have persisted in southern Lebanon, while Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed dozens of people in recent days.
US President Donald Trump had earlier warned Iran against supporting Hezbollah activities in Lebanon, threatening further military action if attacks continued.
“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the threat, insisting that pressure tactics would not influence Tehran’s position.
Speaking ahead of the negotiations, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to improve relations with Iran if Tehran abandoned what he described as regional destabilisation efforts and long-term nuclear weapons ambitions.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
The issue of Iran’s nuclear programme remains one of the key matters yet to be resolved during the negotiations.
Meanwhile, vessel tracking data indicated that ships continued to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran’s earlier announcement that it had closed the strategic waterway.
The negotiations are being closely watched internationally as both sides attempt to secure a broader agreement that could ease regional tensions and stabilise global energy markets.
