Delegations from the U.S. and Iran have agreed on a “road map” to conclude, within sixty days, a final agreement that will put an end to the war in the Middle East.
This was announced by the mediating countries, Pakistan and Qatar, following the first session of their negotiations in Switzerland.
This was preceded by the withdrawal of the Iranian delegation from the negotiating venue with the U.S., in protest of comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who called on Tehran to prevent its allies in Lebanon “from causing trouble,” threatening that otherwise the U.S. would resume strikes against Iran.
The two sides “have agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days, thereby laying the groundwork for the immediate start of new technical talks”, which will continue this week in Switzerland, noted Islamabad and Doha, which are mediating these talks, in a joint statement.
Communication channel for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz
At the same time, the U.S. and Iranian delegations agreed to establish a “communication channel” that will guarantee safe passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, the mediators in the negotiations between the two sides in Switzerland also announced.
“A communication channel has been established between the parties (…) to prevent incidents and communication problems, with the aim of guaranteeing the safe passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” Pakistan and Qatar explained in their statement.
“Conflict Management Center” for Lebanon
The same statement notes that the delegations from Iran and the U.S. agreed to immediately establish a “conflict management cell,” with the aim of ending hostilities in Lebanon, which have jeopardized the ceasefire in the Middle East.
“The parties agree to establish a conflict management cell, in which the parties and the Republic of Lebanon will participate” and in which “mediators” will play a role, with the aim of “ensuring that the cessation of military operations in Lebanon is upheld,” as explained in the joint statement.
““Significant progress”
The head of Iranian diplomacy Abbas Araghchi spoke today of “significant progress” in negotiations with the U.S., expressing satisfaction with the unfreezing of certain Iranian assets that had been frozen abroad, the exemption from sanctions that will allow sales of Iranian oil, the effort to end the war in Lebanon.
“The tireless mediation by Pakistan and Qatar has led to significant progress toward ending the war in Lebanon,” Mr. Aragchi said via X, following the conclusion of the first round of negotiations in Switzerland.
“Exports of oil and petrochemical products are exempt from sanctions, the blockade is being lifted, certain frozen assets are being unfrozen, and a major reconstruction and development program for Iran is getting underway,” he added.
