Araghchi says first round of US-Iran talks to follow Switzerland deal signing

Araghchi Outlines Next Negotiation Phase

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the first round of negotiations for a final agreement with Washington are expected to begin after the signing of the memorandum of understanding in Switzerland.

“It is planned that on Friday in Switzerland – we still need to determine the exact location – a meeting will be held between the delegations of both sides, in which the heads of both delegations will first sign this memorandum of understanding and then hold the first round of follow-up negotiations,” he said in an interview with Iranian state television.

Pakistan Announces Breakthrough Deal

Earlier on Monday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the US and Iran agreed to a ‘permanent’ and ‘immediate’ end of the war on all fronts, ‘including in Lebanon.’ However, Israel has said it is not party to the deal.

Both Tehran and Washington confirmed that a deal has been made but the contents have not been revealed. Media reports have pointed to a 60-day ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the US naval blockade, sanctions relief for Iran and talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Leaders Signal Continued Diplomacy

Donald Trump posted ‘let the oil flow’ and said the Strait would open on Friday. Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabad said talks would continue during a 60-day period to form a wider deal.

The agreement is set to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday, June 19.