Delegations from the United States, Iran and Pakistan touched down in Switzerland on Sunday for a crucial round of talks aimed at addressing the conflict in the Middle East, with Tehran signalling that Israeli-Hezbollah hostilities in Lebanon would dominate the discussions. Iranian officials said other pressing matters, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets and clearance to resume oil exports, would also feature on the agenda. The meeting is the first since the two sides struck a preliminary agreement to end the war.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, in a video message carried by the IRNA state news agency, said the “Zionist regime” was continuing to breach its commitments in Lebanon and that this would be the central focus of the day’s negotiations. He added that securing access to Iran’s frozen or restricted funds, along with clearing the necessary licences to resume oil sales, would also be taken up during the talks.
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The statement comes a day after Iran’s military said it had shut the Strait of Hormuz in response to continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon. No fresh attacks have been reported since, with Baqaei noting on Saturday that “a fragile cessation” had taken hold in Lebanon.
Delegations converge on Switzerland
Iran’s delegation, headed by chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Switzerland late Saturday. The Swiss foreign ministry welcomed the delegation’s arrival in a post on X, noting that the talks form part of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States.
US Vice President JD Vance arrived early Sunday at the Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock to take part in the discussions. Speaking to reporters before leaving Joint Base Andrews, Vance said he hoped to “make progress on the nuclear issue” and on the “Lebanon ceasefire issue,” calling these the two main areas of focus. He said his own participation would likely be limited to “a day or two.”
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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir also arrived for the talks. In a statement posted on X, Sharif’s office said the prime minister and the field marshal would take part in the high-level discussions on implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The terms of the US-Iran memorandum
The United States and Iran digitally signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to end hostilities in the Middle East. The 14-point document commits the US, Iran and their respective allies to “an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
Under the memorandum, both sides agree not to initiate war or military action against one another, to refrain from the threat or use of force, and to uphold Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The agreement also requires the US to withdraw forces stationed near Iranian territory within 30 days of the deal being finalised. In return, Iran is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and permit toll-free, safe passage for commercial vessels for a period of 60 days.
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