Dawn (Pakistan)
US, Iran make 'encouraging progress' after hours-long talks in Burgenstock; agree on roadmap to reach final peace deal in 60 days
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 Social, had threatened Iran over unrest in Lebanon, one of the key issues on the table during the talks.
“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” he said.
Separately, in an interview with Fox News, the US president issued threats over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that he maintains “a variety of options” at his disposal.
Roughly 80 minutes into the talks, Iranian media had reported a pause, with delegations withdrawing to hold internal consultations.
Following reports of the pause, Iran’s chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf in a statement on X dismissed US threats, cautioning Washington to “be careful”. He vowed that Tehran stood “ready to respond”.
‘Peace requires give and take’
Addressing the opening ceremony ahead of the closed-door talks, PM Shehbaz had hoped for an outcome that would ensure peace, progress and prosperity globally.
He said he was looking forward to productive talks and expressed satisfaction that the joint efforts of everyone involved in the peace process had culminated in the meeting in Burgenstock.
“I think here we are going to have wonderful discussions which will lead to, hopefully, very productive results in times to come,” he said.
He thanked US President Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their leadership, and praised Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his consistent efforts, perseverance and patience during the mediation process.
Meanwhile, US VP Vance told the press that “peace requires give and take”.
“This is a historic meet. Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad,” he said.
“What today really represents is the beginning of a technical negotiation that’s not going to solve every disagreement, but is going to allow us to sit together as teams, for the first time really in history, to figure out what matters most to the respective parties, to settle those issues, to solve those issues, and get to a better tomorrow,” he told reporters.
“The reason why the political leadership of the respective countries is here is because we wanted to, first of all, set up the structure for these technical negotiations, and second of all, make sure that our teams have our full support and know they can always call on us to break through any barriers.”
Thanking Trump “for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution”, Vance said a great deal had “already been accomplished” and the team looked forward to seeing “how much more we can accomplish together”.
“Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?” he said. “Where Iran and the Gulf have had an unfriendly relationship, or Iran has been a driver of regional instability? We see a future where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.”
Vance said Trump was committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon. These kinds of ceasefires are always “a little bit messy”, but they had seen progress over the last few days, he added.
Vance also shared appreciation for PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, saying: “I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir,” he said, adding that he had “probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than anyone else over the last few months”.
“If Iran is willing to give up nuclear weapon ambitions for the long term, the US is willing to transform relations with them,” he said.
The president, he said, had urged him to “turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand”.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, also speaking at the opening ceremony, thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts to make peace in the Middle East.
“I think that every one of you has highlighted how important and historic this is, not only on the security of the region but also for the security of the world and for the global economy,” the Qatari PM said.
“I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room. This is not really the main celebration, this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best,” Al Thani said.
He added that Qatar would remain dedicated to the partnership to support mediation efforts until a solution is reached.
Before the start of their remarks, Iran’s Araghchi briefly walked into the room and embraced PM Shehbaz, the White House Press Pool Reports said in a statement released on X.
“He was there just a short time before walking out again and did not during that time interact with Vance, who was on the other side of the room,” it added.
The media were ushered out of the meeting room as the talks began.
Later, PM Shehbaz again spoke to the media and praised the Iranian delegation’s dignity and attempts at de-escalation.
“I think they genuinely mean to promote peace in the region,” PM Shehbaz said of the Iranian leadership, adding, “So does President Trump.”
“I have no second thoughts about the fact that he is a man of peace — He has demonstrated that during the war between Pakistan and India,” he said.
PM Shehbaz was optimistic about the “renewed friendship” with the US, and hoped it would grow into a relationship of close coordination and cooperation between the two countries.
Delegations meet ahead of talks
The quadrilateral meeting followed bilateral and tripartite meetings between the different parties participating in the talks.
Iranian state television said that delegations from Iran, Qatar and the US were holding a meeting to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s frozen assets.
Ahead of the quadrilateral meeting, PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir met the US negotiating team, led by VP Vance.
The Pakistani delegation also met the Iranian delegation led by Ghalibaf. Iran’s Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also part of the meeting.
Pakistani delegation arrives
Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan had arrived at the venue on Sunday morning amid tight security and heavy media presence.
The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Shehbaz and his delegation arrived in Zurich earlier on Sunday morning to participate in the talks, after which they travelled to Burgenstock.
State broadcaster PTV reported that the premier was accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior government officials. State media also confirmed the arrival of CDF Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Burgenstock resort.
US, Iran teams arrive
US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker and head negotiator of the Iranian side Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had also arrived for the talks on implementing the deal on Sunday.
Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base at 5:59am (08:59 PKT), according to his spokesperson. He had taken off for Switzerland on Saturday, saying negotiators would discuss Iran’s nuclear programme and the Lebanon ceasefire.
“I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue. Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on,” Vance told reporters before departing from Joint Base Andrews, saying he could only join the talks “for a day or two”.
Vance said the situation in Lebanon was “actually getting better”. “It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that… Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure,” he said.
“The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you’ve just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold.”
US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical elements of the talks, Vance said earlier.
Iran’s delegation, which landed in Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday, arrived at Burgenstock for the talks by early afternoon.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA said the delegation was led by Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Ali Bagheri (Deputy for International Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council Secretariat), Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabad and Esmail Baqaei were also part of the team.
US-Iran deal
The 14-point agreement was signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with PM Shehbaz signing as mediator.
Under the deal, Tehran and Washington have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks.
The deal, ending more than 100 days of war, has been widely welcomed by the international community.
Once a final agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US will also facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says.
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