High-stakes talks in the Swiss Alps have produced what mediators describe as a 60-day “roadmap” aimed at steering the United States and Iran toward a final deal, as tensions around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz again loom large.
Pakistan and Qatar, which are mediating the negotiations, said in a joint statement that the first round of discussions at Burgenstock, Switzerland resulted in an agreement to establish a “communication line” designed to prevent incidents in the contested waterway.
The Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort has been hosting the Iran-US talks with the stated objective of permanently ending the war in the Middle East.
According to the mediators’ statement, both countries also signed off on a mechanism intended to end the fighting in Lebanon, alongside a communications line meant to help ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the strait.
Qatari and Pakistani mediators said the parties further agreed to create what is being called a “de-confliction cell”.
The statement added that Lebanon is also to cease military operations.
Negotiators are expected to remain at the table for the rest of the week.
‘Major progress’
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, writing on X, said the meetings had delivered “major progress”.
“Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.”
US Vice President JD Vance opened discussions with Iranian officials on Sunday under the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached last week, which was intended to extend a fragile ceasefire from April for at least another 60 days.
The talks ran late, continuing into the early hours of today.
Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araghchi (L) and Swiss Federal Council, Ignazio Cassis
Shortly before the talks formally got underway, Fox News reported that US President Donald Trump said he had warned Iranian officials: “you won’t have a country” if they attempted to close the strait again.
Fox News also said Mr Trump repeated a previous threat that the United States would take over the waterway and potentially impose its own toll.
Mr Trump said he backed last week’s memorandum of understanding to prevent a global economic depression triggered by surging oil prices if the Strait of Hormuz were shut.
