US, Iran talks to take place in Switzerland following signing of ceasefire agreement

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Bern: The United States and Iran are set to hold their initial round of talks following the ceasefire agreement. This agreement was signed Wednesday virtually by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Reuters reported this on Thursday, citing the Swiss government.

As per Reuters, the talks are slated to take place at the Buergenstock mountaintop resort in Switzerland on Friday.

“As things stand, the plan is still for the U.S. and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other involved countries, to meet tomorrow at Buergenstock for initial negotiations about implementing the agreement,” the Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters.

“No further information is currently available regarding the schedule and details of this meeting,”it further noted.

This comes after the Swiss Foreign Ministry in an official statement called peace and security in West Asia a priority of its foreign policy. It said, “The FDFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) is in close contact with the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar to facilitate the possible signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the Burgenstock in the canton of Nidwalden.”

US President Donald Trump non Wednesday evening signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles. He was being hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The agreement marks a significant diplomatic development between Washington and Tehran.

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According to CNN, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian virtually signed the 14-point memorandum aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries. It also seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the memorandum launches a 60-day process to negotiate a comprehensive final agreement.

CNN reported that a White House official confirmed Trump personally signed the document on Wednesday while in France. Meanwhile, Pezeshkian signed it separately, bringing the agreement into immediate effect.

A senior US administration official described the agreement as a framework designed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately. Moreover, it will address Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. It will also create a pathway for phased economic relief tied to Tehran’s compliance with the deal.

The 14-point agreement provides for an immediate cessation of military operations, including in Lebanon. It commits both countries to pursuing a final agreement within 60 days. Also, it includes provisions for the removal of the US naval blockade and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. There will be phased sanctions relief. Finally, there will be the release of frozen Iranian assets and a US-backed economic development programme for Iran worth at least USD 300 billion.

The memorandum further states that Iran has reaffirmed it will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons. In addition, it envisages future discussions regarding enriched uranium stockpiles under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

(ANI)

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