The US-Iran technical talks in Switzerland have concluded successfully, and will allow both sides to move toward negotiations at higher levels, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced on Tuesday.
The next stage of talks will be overseen primarily by senior officials on both sides, including Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, and Vice President of the United States, JD Vance.
The conclusion of the first session of talks was initially announced in a joint statement on Monday morning by mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
According to the two countries, the talks were conducted in a "positive and constructive atmosphere," despite the Iranian delegation walking out of negotiations on Sunday night in protest at US President Donald Trump's threats to resume strikes unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
Later on Tuesday, the Iranian Ambassador reported to the United Nations in Geneva that there had been "some good progress in negotiations between the US and Iran in Switzerland."
The ambassador also emphasized that "Lebanon is an integral part of the MOU peace agreement. There should be no further attacks against Lebanon, and the agreement includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops."
US, Iran work to establish committee for political oversight during future talks
“When implementing a ceasefire and ending the war becomes difficult, we can resolve it either through missiles or through negotiations,” Ghalibaf told reporters while leaving Switzerland.
“I told Vance: ‘We are here engaged in talks, and according to the signed understanding, the first clause states that there should be no threats or coercion. Yet today, your president has issued threats. Understand that we never negotiate under threats or pressure.’”
Both Iran and the US have agreed to establish a High-Level Committee for political oversight during future talks, said the joint statement.
Chief negotiators will regularly report to the committee on the status of negotiations, which has agreed to establish a roadmap to reach a final deal within 60 days.
