BURGENSTOCK, Switzerland: The first round of four-party negotiations involving Iran, the United States, and mediators Pakistan and Qatar concluded on Sunday after approximately 80 minutes of discussions at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland.
The meeting marked the formal launch of a 60-day negotiation period under the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed earlier this week, aimed at reducing regional tensions and establishing a framework for further diplomatic engagement.
The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasized the need for the full implementation of the memorandum.
Iranian officials maintained that meaningful progress would depend on Washington fulfilling its commitments under the preliminary agreement, particularly efforts to secure an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
The United States delegation was headed by Vice President JD Vance and included senior officials Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir participated as key mediators alongside Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Prior to the talks, Qalibaf held separate consultations with Pakistani and Qatari mediators, while Foreign Minister Araghchi met with his Swiss counterpart in Bern.
Iranian negotiating team spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran’s primary objective was to ensure the United States implements its obligations under the Islamabad Memorandum.
According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the delegation also sought guarantees from mediators regarding the agreement’s enforcement, including a complete halt to military actions against Iran and its regional allies, with a particular focus on ending Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
The discussions are also expected to address the easing of US sanctions on Iran, measures to mitigate their economic impact, and a potential reduction of Iranian restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway responsible for transporting nearly 20 percent of global oil supplies.
Following the first session, the Iranian delegation entered internal consultations as negotiators prepare for the next phase of talks.