Mediators Announce New Deconfliction Mechanism for Lebanon After US-Iran Talks in Switzerland

The first round of high-level US-Iran talks at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland ended overnight after 18 hours, with the mediators, Qatar and Pakistan, announcing a new "deconfliction" mechanism for Lebanon. Israel was not mentioned in the joint statement, even though the arrangement is meant to help enforce the ceasefire in Lebanon.

According to the statement, the sides agreed to set up a high-level committee to oversee the political aspects of the mediation effort. The two chief negotiators will submit periodic reports to that committee and lead separate working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions, and a group for monitoring and resolving disputes. The statement also said a de-escalation working group involving the two sides and the Republic of Lebanon will operate under mediator guidance to ensure compliance with the ceasefire in Lebanon, as outlined in the memorandum of understanding.

The mediators added that technical talks will continue through the rest of the week in Bürgenstock. They also established a dedicated communication channel to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi quickly praised the talks on X, saying Qatar and Pakistan's mediation had produced "significant progress" toward ending the war in Lebanon. He said export exemptions for oil and petrochemical products were granted, the blockade was lifted, some frozen assets were released, and a major reconstruction and economic development program for Iran was launched. Araghchi added that the "first real test" would be the new deconfliction cell in Lebanon. The talks came after a tense first day, when the Iranian delegation left the venue following harsh threats from President Donald Trump, who said he had "all the cards" and warned he had "60 days" before acting as he wanted. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, said he spoke with the president for 4.5 hours on Friday and believed that if the deal fails, Trump will take over the Strait of Hormuz by force.