Iran sets out new oversight mechanism for talks with United States

TEHRAN, Iran — President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is committed to the full implementation of its memorandum of understanding with the United States, adding that the process will be carried out within the framework of international law and the rights of the Iranian people. Pezeshkian said complete implementation of the memorandum would ease regional tensions and restrain what he described as aggressors. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced a new oversight arrangement for the next rounds of negotiations between Iran and the United States. Under the framework, the process will be guided by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to Iran’s official news agency, four working groups have been established covering the lifting of sanctions, nuclear issues, reconstruction and economic development, and monitoring and implementation. Technical talks between Iran and the United States, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, were previously completed in Switzerland, and the two sides agreed on the framework for the next round of negotiations. In a joint statement, Qatar and Pakistan said the parties agreed on a roadmap aiming for a final agreement within 60 days and decided to open a communication channel on ending the conflict in Lebanon and ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.