US-Iran Talks Conclude with 'Encouraging Progress' on Peace Deal

Lucerne. The first round of talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland to reach a final agreement to end the war has concluded with 'encouraging progress'.

Mediator countries Qatar and Pakistan issued a joint statement on Monday stating that both sides have agreed to form a high-level committee to prepare a 'roadmap' to reach a final agreement within 60 days.

Following a preliminary agreement between the two countries last week, this discussion began in the Swiss city of Lucerne on Sunday. Technical discussions are expected to continue throughout this week.

According to a US diplomat involved in the talks, the discussion focused mainly on clarifying ambiguous messages from Iran regarding opening the Strait of Hormuz and implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon. Both sides have agreed to establish a 'communication line' for the safe passage of commercial ships and to reduce misunderstandings.

In addition, preliminary discussions were held on Iran's nuclear program. The US has stated that it is ready to completely change relations if Iran stops spreading regional instability and abandons its ambition for nuclear weapons, while Iran has reiterated that its nuclear program is peaceful.

Vice President JD Vance led the US team in the talks, while Iran was led by chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. While the talks were ongoing, US President Donald Trump wrote on social media warning that Iran must immediately stop its 'proxies' Hezbollah in Lebanon, and if not, there would be a strong attack.

In response, Iranian negotiator Ghalibaf retorted, 'If threats worked, America would not be in such a disappointing state today.' An agreement has been reached to create a special chamber involving the Lebanese government in the talks to stop military action in Lebanon.

Recently, after the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated, Iran announced the closure of the Hormuz waterway. However, maritime tracking data shows that the movement of ships from there is still ongoing.

Previously, the preliminary agreement signed by the presidents of the US and Iran mentioned providing $300 billion to Iran for reconstruction and lifting sanctions. Israel claims that the war with Iran began on February 28 and the fighting with Hezbollah is different from this, maintaining its stance that its soldiers will not withdraw from Lebanon immediately. More than four thousand people have lost their lives in Lebanon since March 2.