On June 22, the first round of high-level talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland ended. Intermediary countries said that tensions broke out when Tehran announced the second closure of the Strait of Hormuz and US President Donald Trump repeated threats to resume attacks on Iran.
A joint statement from Qatar and Pakistan - the two mediating countries - said that the US and Iran have agreed on a roadmap towards a final agreement within 60 days. Technical negotiations will continue for the rest of the week at the Buergenstock resort in Switzerland, owned by Qatar.
According to the joint statement, the two sides agreed on a mechanism to end the fighting in Lebanon and establish a communication line to ensure the safety of commercial ships passing through the disputed strait.
US Vice President J.D. Vance began negotiations with Iran on June 21 under the terms of the memorandum of understanding reached last week, aiming to extend the fragile ceasefire from April by at least 60 days. The discussions lasted until early the next morning.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on social media that the country has achieved exemptions for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of part of frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan for Iran.
Tensions arose right before the negotiations when US media reported that Mr. Trump warned Iran that it would "no longer have a country" if it re-blockaged the strait, and reaffirmed the threat that the US could control this waterway route and impose its own tolls.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted sources as saying that after Mr. Trump's statements were made public, the Iranian delegation refused to return to the negotiating room, although the messages were still exchanged through Pakistan and Qatar. The Iranian side requested that the start of nuclear negotiations must be accompanied by the implementation of other terms of the memorandum of understanding, including freezing assets and licensing Iran to export oil.
However, a US diplomat involved in the negotiations confirmed to the press that the Iranian delegation has not left and is still continuing negotiations until late at night, including topics on the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, nuclear issues and details of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding. Mr. Vance said that progress has been made towards ending the fighting in Lebanon and commented that the situation is "always somewhat complicated" in such negotiations.
