Politics

GENEVA - The first round of negotiations between the US and Iran to reach a final deal to end the war has ended with ‘encouraging progress’, mediators Qatar and Pakistan say.

The talks began on Sunday in Switzerland, after last week’s initial agreement between the US and Iran. Technical talks will continue throughout the week.

In a joint statement early yesterday, Qatar and Pakistan said that a ‘High Level Committee’ had agreed to ‘a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days’.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the talks ‘delivered major progress’ to end the conflict in Lebanon.

The memorandum of understanding signed last week includes a commitment to reach a final deal within 60 days, as well as an end to fighting on ‘all fronts’ - including in Lebanon - and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The mediators’ joint statement said that a ‘communication line’ had been formed ‘to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz’.

Both sides also agreed to the creation of a ‘de-confliction cell’ between the US, Iran and Lebanon, facilitated by the mediating countries, to end military operations in Lebanon, their statement said.

First round of US-Iran talks end with ‘encouraging progress’, mediators say. (Pic: Reuters)