US and Iran Strengthen Roadmap for Deal Amid Tensions in Switzerland Talks
BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland/DUBAI – High-level negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials concluded on Monday in Switzerland, following a tense opening marked by Iran’s announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. President Donald Trump’s reiterated threats of military action against Iran.
Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan released a joint statement indicating that both nations have agreed to a roadmap aimed at finalizing a deal within the next 60 days. Technical discussions are set to continue throughout the week at the Qatari-owned resort in Buergenstock, as outlined by the Qatari foreign ministry.
Key Developments in Negotiations
The parties have established a framework to cease hostilities in Lebanon and have initiated a communication line to facilitate safe passage for commercial vessels through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Vice President JD Vance commenced discussions with Iranian officials on Sunday, following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) established the previous week, which aimed to extend a fragile ceasefire from April for an additional 60 days. These discussions persisted into the early hours of Monday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced via social media that Iran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets, and the initiation of a reconstruction and development plan for the country. The White House did not provide immediate comments regarding the conclusion of the high-level talks.
Prior to the commencement of the discussions, reports indicated that Trump warned Iranian officials that they “won’t have a country” if they attempted to close the strait again. He also reiterated a previous threat that the U.S. would take control of the waterway and potentially impose its own tolls. Trump emphasized that he agreed to the MOU to prevent a global economic downturn due to rising oil prices linked to the strait’s closure. Following the joint statement, Brent crude futures fell by more than $1, settling at $79.44 per barrel.
Diverging Accounts of the Talks
U.S. and Iranian sources have provided differing accounts of the discussions in Switzerland. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the Iranian delegation refused to return to the negotiation room after Trump’s threats became public, although communication continued through Pakistani and Qatari mediators.
The source from Tasnim stated that Iran insisted that negotiations on nuclear issues were contingent upon the fulfillment of other aspects of the MOU, including the release of frozen assets and U.S. waivers for Iranian oil exports. A U.S. diplomat involved in the talks reported that the Iranian delegation remained engaged in discussions late into the night, covering topics such as the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, nuclear matters, and the implementation details of the MOU.
The agreement reached includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments, and halting all hostilities, particularly in Lebanon, where Israel has conducted ongoing strikes against Iranian ally Hezbollah.
Iran’s Justification for Closing the Strait
Iran has argued that the U.S. has not upheld its commitments to cease hostilities in Lebanon, leading to its decision to once again halt maritime traffic through the strait. The Iranian delegation indicated that substantive discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program would not take place during the latest round of talks.
During the negotiations in Switzerland, U.S. officials, including Vance, downplayed the significance of violence in Lebanon, asserting that progress had been made towards ending hostilities. Vance remarked that “these things are always a little bit messy.”
In the U.S., Trump issued a warning to Iran, demanding that it rein in its allies. He stated that Iran must “immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” referring to Hezbollah. Trump threatened that failure to comply would result in a more severe response from the U.S.
Despite the ongoing threats, Vance conveyed to reporters that Trump had expressed a desire to “turn over a new leaf” in relations with the Iranian populace. A U.S. diplomat later noted that discussions included efforts to clarify Iran’s messaging regarding the Strait and to establish mechanisms to ensure its continued openness.
Impact on Maritime Traffic and Regional Stability
Despite a recent announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, fighting has persisted, prompting Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, which had been shut for nearly four months, causing unprecedented disruptions to global energy supplies. Data from analytics firm Kpler indicated that only five vessels passed through the strait on Sunday, a significant decline from the 26 vessels reported the previous day.
Sunday marked one of the quietest days in Lebanon in recent weeks, with no major violence reported by nightfall following two days of intense Israeli strikes and retaliatory fire from Hezbollah. Since Israel’s invasion in March, over one million people have been displaced within Lebanon as the conflict continues.
Reports from southern Lebanon indicated increased civilian traffic, with residents returning home and displaying support for Hezbollah amid the ongoing tensions.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-06-22 07:24:00 • By the Editorial Desk
