Zurich/Islamabad – The United States and Iran agreed on Monday on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final accord within 60 days after two days of high-level talks in Switzerland, despite fresh tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s threats and a lingering dispute over Lebanon.
Quadripartite negotiations involving Iran, the US, Pakistan, and Qatar have commenced at the Bürgenstock Hotel in Switzerland, with the focus being on following up on the implementation of commitments set forth in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. pic.twitter.com/HBngW7kDY6
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 21, 2026
The negotiations at the Bürgenstock resort near Lake Lucerne marked the first formal review of a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last week by Washington and Tehran to end months of conflict and launch talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and regional security.
A joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the parties had made “encouraging progress” and agreed to establish a high-level committee to oversee implementation of the accord and supervise future negotiations.
“The High Level Committee has agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks,” the statement said.
The mediators added that a dedicated communication channel had been established to avoid incidents and miscommunication and to facilitate the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies normally pass.
Talks marred by Trump’s threats
Despite the positive outcome, Iranian officials said negotiations were disrupted after Trump issued a series of threats against Tehran during the talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi praised Pakistan and Qatar for their efforts in keeping the process alive.
“Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, the blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran. 1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell,” Araqchi wrote on X.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Tehran temporarily suspended participation in the quadrilateral format involving the United States, Pakistan and Qatar after Trump’s remarks.
“We had a very long day. The meetings started on Sunday morning. During the quadrilateral session, threatening remarks from America were published, which led Iran to announce that it would not continue the quadrilateral meeting under such conditions,” Baqaei told reporters.
He said Qatar and Pakistan attempted to keep the discussions going, but Tehran refused to continue in the same format.
Lebanon remains key obstacle
Iranian officials reiterated that implementation of the agreement’s first clause — ending military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon — remains the central issue.
Baqaei said progress on broader negotiations would depend on adherence to that commitment.
“The implementation of the MoU demands the end of the war on all fronts,” he said, adding that without it “entry into the negotiation phase for the final agreement is not possible.”
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the quadrilateral talks began around 3 pm local time on Sunday but were suspended after approximately 90 minutes for consultations. Iranian delegates later declined to return.
Tehran has repeatedly accused Washington of failing to restrain Israel, which continues to conduct military operations in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire brokered over the weekend.
Under the MoU signed on June 18, military operations are to end immediately and permanently on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Progress on sanctions, assets and shipping
Despite the disputes, Baqaei said discussions had produced movement on several practical issues.
He said progress had been made regarding authorisations needed for Iranian oil exports and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
He also confirmed that a mechanism was being established to ensure safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Baqaei stressed that Iran would closely scrutinise US compliance with the agreement.
“Iran has absolutely not forgotten previous experiences,” he said, adding that Tehran was determined to pursue implementation of American commitments “meticulously”.
The joint statement confirmed that working groups would continue technical discussions on nuclear issues, sanctions, monitoring mechanisms and dispute resolution throughout the week.
The mediators also announced the creation of a Lebanon “de-confliction cell” designed to monitor adherence to the cessation of hostilities.
Hormuz and nuclear talks
The MoU provides for the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran within 30 days, the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets and the establishment of a USD 300 billion reconstruction and development fund for Iran.
It also launches a 60-day negotiating process aimed at reaching a final agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, the removal of sanctions and a permanent end to the conflict.
The talks come after weeks of volatility around the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping disruptions linked to the conflict rattled global energy markets.
Trump has warned Tehran against restricting navigation through the waterway and suggested Washington could impose its own tolls if a final deal is not reached.
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf dismissed the threats.
“Don’t they think that if their threats had any effect, they wouldn’t be in this desperate situation today?” he said.
“No matter how much they talk, it is we who take action.”
He later warned US officials to “be careful” with their statements and said Iran’s armed forces stood ready to respond.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, diplomats described the Lake Lucerne Summit as constructive and said the agreement on a 60-day roadmap represented the most significant step forward since the signing of the MoU last week.
The mediators said they would continue working to ensure negotiations proceed “in a constructive atmosphere” with the goal of securing a comprehensive final agreement.