Mediators laud ‘roadmap’ for final agreement

Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Monday that some members of the Iranian delegation had left the Swiss resort of Bergenstock to return to Tehran.

It came after 18 hours of discussions, which both host Switzerland and mediator Pakistan described as “constructive”.

It is unclear when members of the US delegation will depart for Switzerland.

On Saturday, Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News he expected to stay only “a day or two.”

Most of the technical details are being handled on the US side by special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

“We’ve talked about it [Strait of Hormuz]”The details of implementing the MOU include Lebanon, the nuclear issue and other topics,” an unnamed US diplomat told Reuters during the talks.

Oil prices fell on Monday after Switzerland announced progress in talks between Iran and the US.

International benchmark Brent crude oil fell more than 1% to $79.70 a barrel in afternoon Asian trade. Before the war broke out in late February it was trading at around $70 a barrel.

“With the contentious – and fragile – US-Iran peace process now underway, attention is turning to how quickly tankers return to the Strait of Hormuz to load energy supplies,” Thomas Matthews, head of Asia-Pacific markets at Capital Economics, said in a note to investors.

Moving toward a more permanent deal will be challenging, with a real risk of inflaming hostilities, ING commodity strategists Warren Patterson and Eva Manthey said in a note on Monday.

Some analysts also said the Iran talks could contribute to a broader stock market rally, although it is too early to know for sure.

“Following a positive reaction to last week’s US-Iran ceasefire report, markets are likely to open the new week with a cautious stance as it is clear the situation in the Middle East remains delicate,” said Sky Masters, head of market research at National Australia Bank.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai said on Monday that Iran’s nuclear program was discussed during talks with the US.

“One of the issues raised by the US delegation was the presentation of its position regarding the nuclear issue,” Baghai said.

“There was a very brief discussion regarding the nuclear issue, but not a detailed discussion and it cannot be said that talks have started on the nuclear issue.”

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that nuclear talks could only begin if other parts of the memorandum of understanding were agreed upon, including those related to frozen assets and allowing Iranian oil exports to resume.

Lebanese President Joseph de-escalation on Monday said he spoke by phone with US Vice President JD Vance, US Presidential Adviser Jared Kushner and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

They discussed efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Lebanon and prevent Israeli military escalation, Lebanon’s presidential office said in a statement on Friday.

The statement confirmed that a de-escalation mechanism had been proposed for this purpose.

Ending Israeli attacks and ground operations in Lebanon has been a key issue for any agreement between Iran and the US.

Lebanon was not present at the Switzerland summit. The political party and terrorist group Hezbollah is a major ally of Iran in the region.

Mediators and facilitators said on Monday that talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland had laid the groundwork for a permanent agreement to be reached within a few months.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday, “The discussions took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere and encouraging progress was made.”

He said the two sides agreed to “establish a high-level committee to provide political oversight, a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days, and begin further technical negotiations.”

After 18 hours of high-level, intense talks between the US and Iran, summit host Switzerland said conditions were now ready to begin technical discussions.

“Switzerland particularly welcomes the agreement on the roadmap aiming to reach a final agreement within 60 days,” the ministry said in a statement.

“This roadmap creates the conditions for an immediate resumption of technical discussions.”

Mediators are expected to begin constructive “technical talks” on Monday after the US and Iran agreed on a peace deal roadmap over the weekend.

Oil prices fell following the news, while other countries welcomed the progress made so far.

Some members of the Iranian delegation have left after 18 hours of talks on Sunday.

We’ll be bringing you the latest updates, videos and expert analysis on the conflict in the Middle East throughout the day.