Iran, US wrap up technical talks in Switzerland with roadmap for next round

GENEVA, Switzerland — Iran and the United States have concluded a round of technical negotiations in Switzerland, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said. The talks were held in Bürgenstock and brought together delegations from four countries, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators. According to the Iranian state news agency IRNA, the sides agreed to establish four working groups covering sanctions removal, nuclear issues, reconstruction and economic development, and monitoring and implementation. Gharibabadi said the framework for the next round of talks was also agreed upon. A joint statement issued by Qatar's foreign ministry said the mediators, the United States and Iran announced that senior officials had completed the first round of discussions in Switzerland. The statement said the parties had agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal within 60 days. According to the statement, technical talks will continue throughout the week at the Bürgenstock mountain resort. The mediators also said the sides reached agreement on a mechanism to end the conflict in Lebanon and opened a communication channel to secure the passage of commercial vessels through the disputed strait. Iran's delegation, led by chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has returned to Tehran.