DistantNews
Support us
US-Iran talks conclude in Switzerland amid calls for ceasefire
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

US-Iran talks conclude in Switzerland amid calls for ceasefire

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Four-way talks between Iran, the United States, Pakistan, and Qatar concluded in Switzerland after about 80 minutes.
  • The negotiations focused on de-escalation mechanisms in the Middle East and enforcing a ceasefire in Lebanon, with Iran demanding full implementation of a memorandum of understanding.
  • Iran sought guarantees for U.S. commitments, including an end to Israeli attacks and sanctions relief, while also discussing potential easing of Iranian maritime restrictions.

Four-way talks involving Iran, the United States, Pakistan, and Qatar concluded in Switzerland after approximately 80 minutes, marking the start of a 60-day window for further discussions based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier in the week. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, pressed for the full implementation of the memorandum.

The talks focused on de-escalation mechanisms in the Middle East and enforcing a ceasefire in Lebanon.

— American diplomatAn American diplomat stated the focus of the discussions to Axios.

An American diplomat indicated that the talks centered on de-escalation mechanisms in the Middle East and enforcing a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iranian officials had emphasized prior to the discussions that progress hinged on the U.S. upholding its commitments, particularly concerning the cessation of Israeli attacks. The U.S. delegation was headed by Vice President Jay D. Vance, accompanied by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

The progress depends on the fulfillment of American commitments, especially the cessation of Israeli attacks.

— Iranian officialsIranian officials' stated position before the talks.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani coordinated the mediation efforts. Ghalibaf held separate meetings with the Qatari and Pakistani mediators before the main four-way talks. The Iranian delegation aimed to secure guarantees from the mediators regarding U.S. adherence to the memorandum, with a focus on ending all aggressive actions against Iran and its regional allies, specifically the halt of Israeli operations in Lebanon.

The main topic of the talks was the demand for full implementation of American obligations under the Islamabad Memorandum.

— Esmail BaghaeiThe spokesperson for the Iranian negotiating team stated the primary subject of the discussions.

The agenda also included the lifting or reduction of U.S. sanctions and a potential easing of Iranian restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. These discussions occurred a day after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for all vessels, citing U.S. violations of the Islamabad Memorandum and Israeli attacks on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

The Iranian delegation intends to ask the mediators for guarantees regarding the implementation of the Memorandum by the United States, with an emphasis on ending any aggressive action against Iran and its regional allies, and specifically the cessation of Israeli operations in Lebanon.

— IRNAAccording to the IRNA news agency, detailing Iran's objectives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog