First Round of Iran-US Mediated Talks Concludes After 80 Minutes in Switzerland

The first round of four-way talks between Iran, the United States, and mediators Pakistan and Qatar wrapped up after roughly 80 minutes in Switzerland, with the Iranian delegation now holding internal consultations on next steps.

Held at the Bürgenstock resort, the session opened a 60-day negotiation window under the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier in the week.

Iran Pushes for Full Implementation

The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, pushed for the memorandum to be implemented in full. Iranian officials had said ahead of the talks that progress hinged on the US meeting its commitments under the preliminary deal, particularly its obligation to bring an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The American delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, who landed in Switzerland earlier on Sunday, joined by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Pakistan’s mediation effort was headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, working alongside Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Upon reaching the venue earlier in the day, Qalibaf held separate meetings with the Qatari and Pakistani mediators before leading his delegation into the four-party session later on, where US representatives were also present. Foreign Minister Araghchi separately met his Swiss counterpart on Sunday morning.

Iran’s Key Demands

Iranian negotiating team spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the central theme of the talks was demanding that the US follow through on its obligations under the Islamabad MoU. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that the delegation would also push mediators to guarantee full US implementation of the agreement, particularly a complete halt to aggression against Iran and its regional allies, with specific focus on pressing Israel to stop its attacks on Lebanon.

The discussions were also expected to address the lifting of US sanctions on Iran, or steps to soften their impact, along with a possible easing of Iranian restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Persian Gulf waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil demand.

The talks took place a day after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all vessels, citing US violations of its commitments under the Islamabad memorandum.

What Happens Next

The outcome of Sunday’s session is expected to shape the agenda for the second round of negotiations, as both sides work toward a comprehensive agreement covering outstanding disputes, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

Baghaei, briefing media in Bürgenstock, said Clause 13 of the MoU ties the start of final-deal negotiations to the implementation of five specific clauses, including the first, which calls for an end to war on all fronts, especially in Lebanon.

“This clause has not been fully implemented so far, and the Zionist (Israeli) regime continues to violate its commitments in Lebanon, an issue that will be one of the main focal points of today’s talks,” he said.

Baghaei added that other clauses require preliminary and executive steps, including action from the US side to release Iran’s blocked assets and issue the permits needed for Iranian oil exports. He noted that, for the first time in the history of Iran-US indirect talks, representatives from both countries sat in the same room, with Qatari and Pakistani mediators present.

The Iran-US MoU was signed by the presidents of both countries early Wednesday, nearly two and a half months after Pakistan announced a ceasefire ending the 39-day US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. The MoU seeks a permanent end to that conflict and requires Iran and the US to hold negotiations over 60 days to reach a final peace deal.