JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday morning, negotiations with the United States in Switzerland facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar had made significant progress towards ending the war in Lebanon and reducing pressure on the Iranian economy.
"The tireless mediation of Pakistan and Qatar has produced great progress to end the Lebanese War. Oil and petrochemical exports are exempt, the blockade is lifted, some frozen assets are released, and a major reconstruction & development plan is launched for Iran," Foreign Minister Araghchi said on the US social media platform X, Anadolu (22/6).
His statement came just after Qatar and Pakistan announced significant progress in ongoing diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran, following the completion of the first round of high-level talks at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland.
According to a joint statement, the parties agreed to form a de-conflict cell, between the parties, the Republic of Lebanon and facilitated by the mediators, to ensure compliance with the cessation of military operations in Lebanon in accordance with the memorandum of understanding.
"The first real test: the de-escalation of Lebanon," said Foreign Minister Araghchi.
In a separate statement, Iran's foreign minister framed the diplomatic developments as part of a broader national effort.
"From the football field to the negotiating table to the battlefield, every step we take as Iranians is part of a larger struggle: defending the honor and dignity of our beloved people," he tweeted.
As previously reported, Switzerland hosted a meeting in an effort to end the escalation in the Middle East between Iran and the United States, with Pakistani and Qatari mediators or the Lake Lucerne Summit at the Burgenstock Resort, Sunday (21/6).
Citing CNN, the meeting focused on the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear weapons, the situation in Lebanon, and the structure of the 60-day negotiation period according to a diplomat.
The meeting was held following the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which consists of 14 points and was signed by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last week.
The Iranian delegation was led by the Speaker of Parliament and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Galibaf along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatar is led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The negotiating table is arranged in a U-shape, with Qatar and the United States on one side, Pakistan and Iran on the other - each with three seats.
Pakistan and Qatar each also have one seat in the middle, at the end of the table.
PM Sharif was accompanied by PM Mohammed when the mediators delivered the opening remarks.
"I think we will have a wonderful discussion that, hopefully, will produce very productive results in the future," said PM Sharif.
"Hopefully when we return home, we will hold a beautiful piece of paper that will promote peace, progress, and prosperity around the world," he added.
During the meeting, US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran again if it could not reach an agreement.
Following President Trump's threat, Iran's delegation in Switzerland protested to the US. Although negotiations have stalled, both sides say the meeting is not over.
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