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Iran, US hold direct talks in Switzerland on implementation of Islamabad MoU
Iran and the United States started direct talks in Switzerland on how to implement a memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached between the two countries last week, with the US vice president calling it a “historic meeting”.
The negotiations at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock came after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his American counterpart Donald Trump on Wednesday digitally signed the agreement that includes an end to attacks on all fronts, including Lebanon, removal of a US blockade affecting Iranian ports and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade on ports was lifted and the Strait of Hormuz was reopened immediately afterwards. However, the Israeli strikes on Lebanon prompted Iran to announce it had shut the shipping route on Saturday until the regime stops its attacks.
The 14-point MoU also includes a commitment to clinch a final deal within 60 days on sanctions imposed on Iran as well as the country’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, who is accompanying the Iranian delegation, said on the sidelines of the meeting that the negotiations would focus on the implementation of the first clause of the MoU.
“The start of negotiations for a final agreement is conditional on five specific clauses, including clause one of the MoU, which concerns the cessation of hostilities in all fronts, including Lebanon,” Baqaei said.
“We know that this clause has not been implemented and that the US has not been able to or has not wanted to. The Zionist regime keeps violating its commitment. This is the main topic of discussions in today’s talks.”
Baqaei, meanwhile, said in a post on X that the unfreezing of Iranian assets and “issuing the necessary licenses for the sale of Iranian oil will also be on the agenda”.
The Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf while the US Vice President JD Vance is heading the American delegation in the negotiations which is also attended by regional mediators Pakistan and Qatar.
‘Historic meeting’
At the start of the talks, Vance said he hopes Washington and Tehran can reset their relationship.
“This is a historic meeting,” Vance said in the negotiation room.
“The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together?
“Can we turn over a new leaf? Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently?
“Or do we go back to doing things the old way, which is not our preference, but it’s certainly very much something that can happen.”
The negotiation table was set up in a U-shape, with Qatar and the United States on one side, Pakistan and Iran on the other – all with three seats each.
What Trump “has asked us to do is turn over new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran”, said Vance.
No talks on nuclear issue
Iranian state television reported on Sunday that Iran’s nuclear program had not been discussed in the talks.
“No negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program took place during the 80-minute first round of talks,” the broadcaster said, adding that the focus had been on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, and the situation in Lebanon.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country mediated the negotiations, also participated in technical-level talks as a follow-up to the Iran-US MoU.
“I think we will have wonderful discussions which will lead to, hopefully, very productive results in times to come,” said Sharif.
“Hopefully when we go back to our homes, we’ll have some wonderful paper in our hand which will promote peace, progress and prosperity around the globe.”