Talks between the USA and Iran, the two ‘issues’ on the table, are starting in Switzerland

They started at the Bürgenstock, a hotel on Lake Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland, italks between Iran and the United States to put an end to the conflict which in recent months had led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with serious consequences on the world economy. Qatar announced the start of technical talks between the USA and Iran, with the mediation by Pakistan and Qatar itself. A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar states that “specialized technical groups and experts have been established to negotiate the terms of the final agreementwhich will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding” between the United States and Iran.

“Moreover, they were established monitoring groups to supervise the implementation of the Memorandum, monitor the progress made and work towards the conclusion of the final agreement”, the statement adds. “This reflects the commitment of all parties to proceed with the negotiation process in good faith, with the aim of reach a global and lasting agreement“, underlines the same source. The ministry also stated that Qatar will continue to collaborate with Pakistan and “all interested parties to create a positive environment that allows negotiations to achieve their objectives, in the firm belief that dialogue and diplomacy represent the optimal path to address conflicts and resolve disputes.

Iranian state television reported that delegations from Iran, Qatar and the United States are meeting in Switzerland for discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and frozen Iranian assets. “A tripartite meeting involving Iran, the United States and Qatar on the issues of a global ceasefire in Lebanon and the Iranian assets blocked is currently underway at the negotiation venue,” state broadcaster IRIB reported.

The latest ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has remained, once again, only theoretical and, while the Tel Aviv attacks continue to claim victims in the south of the Cedar Country, Tehran has closed the Strait in retaliation. As for nuclear power, Axios claims that Washington is ready to release part of the frozen funds of the Islamic Republic if the latter will allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency access to uranium enrichment sites.

The delegations at Bürgenstock and the role of mediators

Vance today joined White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were already in Switzerland to deal with “some technical aspects” of the negotiations. The “technical” nature of today’s talks was also confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchiwho arrived at Bürgenstock together with Tehran’s chief negotiator, the president of Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and the governor of the Central Bank, Abdolnaser Hemmati. It has also arrived in Switzerland delegation from Pakistan, mediator countryled by the army chief, Asim Munir, and the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif. The presence of representatives of Qatar, another nation involved in the negotiations, is also expected.

The 60 day memorandum and the specter of raids in Lebanon

The memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday by Iran and the US involves 60 days of interviews to reach a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and on the lifting of sanctions against its economy. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai warned the United States yesterday that the protocol will be “in danger” if its clauses are not implemented quickly, starting with the truce in Lebanon, where clashes between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement continue.

The American president, Donald Trump has threatened to impose a toll on the Strait of Hormuz if, after 60 days, an agreement is not found. Israeli media reported last night that the prime minister of the Jewish state, Benjamin Netanyahu, had ordered his forces to suspend the attacks. However, the Ministry of Health in Beirut this morning reported new raids that caused at least seven deaths in the South.