Unprecedented negotiations between US and Iranian delegations have begun in Switzerland. The meeting, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, marks the first high-level contact between the two countries in recent years. The main agenda items are the Iranian nuclear program and the escalating security situation in the Middle East.
Historic level of dialogue
The US delegation was led by US Vice President JD Vance, while the Iranian side was represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammadbagher Ghalibaf. According to Vance, this meeting deserves to be called historic, as the leadership of the two states had not met at such a level before, except in recent months.
Negotiators arrived in Switzerland with a clear goal: to use diplomatic tools to transform the situation in the Middle East. The American leader emphasized that the region, where Iran and the Gulf states have been in confrontation for decades, must achieve peace and prosperity.
Key topics and progress
The negotiations, which may last several days, are focused on two critically important areas:
- Control over the Iranian nuclear program.
- Resolution of the conflict in Lebanon and a ceasefire.
JD Vance stated that significant progress was already made in the first hours of the meeting. He expects that involving technical experts will allow for the first breakthroughs in the issue of controlling nuclear materials within one to two days.
The shadow of potential collapse
The start of the negotiations was threatened the day before the meeting. On June 20, the Iranian military command announced the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, calling it a response to Israeli shelling of Lebanon. However, before departing from the US, Vance noted that there were no real signs of a blockade of civilian or military vessels.
Despite the escalation in the region and ongoing hostilities, both sides confirmed their participation. The meeting was organized at the mountain resort of Bürgenstock with active diplomatic support from Pakistan and Qatar.