Switzerland talks: Iran announces “significant progress” on Lebanon, oil, and assets
Switzerland talks: Iran announces “significant progress” on Lebanon, oil, and assets
2026-06-22
Shafaq News – Tehran/Geneva
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Monday that the ongoing mediation efforts of Pakistan and Qatar have contributed to achieving “significant progress” towards ending the war in Lebanon, pointing to developments he described as important in the course of the ongoing understandings.
Araghchi said in a post that “the first real test is the de-friction cell in Lebanon,” adding that the talks also included economic files related to oil and frozen assets.
He explained that the understandings included exemptions for oil exports, lifting some restrictions, releasing some frozen assets, and launching a reconstruction plan inside Iran.
In the same context, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that a new mechanism has been established with the participation of mediators to oversee the process of ending the war in Lebanon, stressing that progress has been made in the file of issuing licenses related to the sale of oil and the release of frozen assets.
He added that the parties agreed in Switzerland on steps described as important in preparation for the start of negotiations towards a final agreement, noting that the technical teams will continue their work despite the end of the negotiating teams’ tasks at this stage.
On Sunday, direct negotiations began in Switzerland between the American and Iranian delegations, headed by US Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, with the participation of mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.
According to press reports, the first round of high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran, jointly sponsored by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, amid an atmosphere described as positive and constructive, with the announcement of progress and the establishment of a mechanism to continue technical talks.
The two sides agreed to form a high-level committee to oversee the political mediation, along with working groups specializing in the nuclear file, sanctions, monitoring mechanisms and conflict resolution. A roadmap was also adopted with the aim of reaching a final agreement within 60 days.
The understanding included the establishment of a communication channel to avoid incidents and ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to a cell to resolve disputes related to Lebanon, while technical talks will continue in the coming days in an effort to reach a final agreement.
shafaq.com
