U.S. Vice President JD Vance addresses diplomats at peace talks between the United States and Iran -- which were mediated by Qatar and Pakistan -- at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday. Photo by Urs Flueeler/EPA
June 22 (UPI) -- Round one of two months of U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland aimed at reaching a final agreement to end the war wrapped up with "encouraging progress" on the Hormuz Strait and shoring up the cease-fire in Lebanon, regional intermediaries said Monday.
Qatar and Pakistan, which have been instrumental in facilitating the negotiations, issued a joint statement saying the sides had signed onto "a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days," kickstating talks on technical issues outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding expected to run through Friday.
"The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks.
"Building on the MoU, the parties have agreed to the establishment of a High Level Committee, which will provide political oversight on the mediation. Chief negotiators will report regularly to the High Level Committee and lead working groups focused on nuclear, sanctions, and a monitoring and dispute resolution group to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, and on other matters," read the statement.
