Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran, official bilateral talks are set to commence in Switzerland, according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi. The official announced that Iran’s negotiating delegation will be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, while the United States delegation will be spearheaded by Vice President JD Vance.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi detailed that the upcoming negotiations will be conducted in two distinct phases. The initial phase will prioritize regional security and recovery, specifically focusing on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade, and the reconstruction of Iranian infrastructure damaged during joint US-Israeli strikes. Araghchi stated that the second phase will shift toward long-term geopolitical resolutions, addressing Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on the country, with the ultimate goal of finalizing a comprehensive peace treaty.
Meanwhile, during a briefing with foreign diplomats broadcast on state television, Araghchi emphasized that the most crucial achievement of the announced peace framework with the US is the termination of the war in Lebanon. He noted that from Tehran’s perspective, the MOU effectively binds the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran and Hezbollah on the other. According to the Foreign Minister, the most vital element of the agreement is the immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities across all active fronts, including Lebanon, with consecutive rounds of talks planned to guarantee regional stability.
