US and Iran Hold Talks in Switzerland Amid Uncertainty Over Agenda

US and Iranian Delegations Set for High-Level Talks in Switzerland

A high-level technical meeting between the United States and Iran is scheduled to take place in Switzerland, with talks set to be mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. The meeting comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between the two countries.

The US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran’s delegation will be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to reports, the talks are expected to focus on a ceasefire in Lebanon, which has been affected by renewed attacks from Israel. The Iranian delegation has stated that the US must fully implement its commitments outlined in the MoU, including the lifting of sanctions on Iran’s oil sector and petrochemical products.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir, as well as Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, are also expected to participate in the talks. The meeting will take place for 60 days, during which officials from both sides will discuss the final phase of the peace process.

Iran has announced that it will close the Strait of Hormuz over ceasefire violations in Lebanon. The US delegation has expressed hopes for progress on the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire issue.

The talks come as tensions between Israel and Lebanon remain high, with Israeli forces killing dozens of people in Lebanon despite a reported ceasefire with Hezbollah. Iran’s chief negotiator, Ghalibaf, stated that Iran will not move forward with implementing the MoU unless the Israelis abide by the agreement.

Source: Al Jazeera