diplomacy-policy
US and Iran agree 60-day roadmap after Swiss talks
OBBUERGEN, Switzerland — American and Iranian negotiators have concluded an intensive round of high-level talks at the Bürgenstock alpine resort, agreeing to a 60-day roadmap towards a final deal aimed at ending months of hostilities across the Middle East.
The discussions, which stretched over 18 hours through Sunday and into the early hours of Monday, were mediated by Pakistan and Qatar and involved direct engagement between US Vice President JD Vance and a senior Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
'Good foundation'
Speaking to reporters after the talks concluded, Mr Vance described the negotiations as having achieved "a very, very good day" of progress. "We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal," he said. "The final deal is the house. We set the foundation. We haven't built the house, but we've laid a successful foundation".
The Vice President announced what he termed a major breakthrough on the nuclear file, stating that Iran had formally agreed to invite inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back to its nuclear sites. "That is a major milestone for the American people, and the first step in permanently denuclearizing or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran," he said.
Iranian officials offered a more measured assessment. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that "important steps" had been agreed to pave the way for final agreement negotiations, but added: "We hope that in implementation, we will witness seriousness from the other side".
Maritime security and Lebanon
The talks, held under the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed last week, produced agreement on several operational mechanisms. According to a joint statement from the mediating nations, the parties established a "deconfliction cell" to monitor the ceasefire and halt hostilities, particularly in Lebanon.
Agreement was also reached on mechanisms to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supply passes. Iran had announced it had closed the strait again on the eve of the talks, citing what it described as US failure to end military operations in Lebanon.
Tensions and walkout reports
The negotiations were not without friction. Reports emerged that the Iranian delegation briefly refused to return to the negotiating room after President Donald Trump reiterated threats to resume strikes unless the strait was reopened. However, Mr Vance dismissed concerns that the talks had been derailed, saying negotiations continued "well past 1 in the morning".
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets, and agreement on a reconstruction and development plan for Iran. The Vice President confirmed that discussions on unfreezing Iranian assets had taken place, while emphasising that Washington wanted to ensure "money [would] fund citizens, not terrorism".
Roadmap ahead
A joint statement from Qatar and Pakistan confirmed that a High-Level Committee would provide political oversight for the negotiation process, with technical talks continuing in Switzerland for the rest of the week.
The 60-day roadmap now sets a tight deadline for negotiators to settle the future of Tehran's nuclear programme, amid ongoing concerns that Iran seeks military capability—a claim the Islamic Republic consistently denies.
While both sides have emphasised the constructive atmosphere, significant challenges remain. The Lebanese front remains volatile, and the fundamental disagreements over sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions that have defined US-Iran relations for decades have not been resolved in a single round of talks.
For now, however, diplomats from both countries are preparing for another round of technical discussions, with the Bürgenstock resort—a venue that has previously hosted sensitive diplomatic dialogues—set to remain the stage for what both sides acknowledge is a fragile but necessary process.