Full-scale Discussion on Implementation of Mediation Country Participation MOU Begins
JD Vance, U.S. Vice President
(Berlin, Cairo=Yonhapnews) Reporters Kim Gye-yeon and Kim Sang-hun = The United States and Iran began negotiations on June 21 (local time) in Switzerland to implement the previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This face-to-face meeting of the two countries' negotiation teams marks the first in 70 days since the previous peace negotiations held on April 11-12 that ended with a "no-deal" declaration in Islamabad, Pakistan.
According to foreign media, the negotiation teams of the two countries led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, along with delegations from mediator countries Pakistan and Qatar, began negotiations this morning at the Bürgenstock Resort on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.
The United States sent Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Switzerland along with the delegation. Iran's delegation included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati, Deputy Oil Minister and National Iranian Oil Company President Hamid Bord, and other economic officials.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry said on the afternoon of the day: "As a mediator country, Qatar announces that the Lucerne meeting and the first meeting of the high-level consultative body with delegations from the United States, Iran, mediator countries Qatar and Pakistan have begun," adding "We hope this meeting will lead to a comprehensive and sustained agreement on all issues contained in the MOU."
Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan (left), Asim Munir, Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army
Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari added that technical expert working groups to negotiate final agreements and follow-up action groups to monitor the progress of MOU implementation and final agreements have been established respectively.
Vice President Vance said that U.S. President Donald Trump had requested to open a "new chapter" in relations between the two countries prior to the afternoon negotiations. He called today's negotiations a "historic meeting" and said the Middle East is at a crossroads where it could either open a new chapter or return to the old ways.
Vice President Vance argued regarding Iran's claim that Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon constitute an MOU violation: "There has been significant progress over the past few days in ensuring that the ceasefire in Lebanon is maintained."
He said: "The significance of today is in starting technical negotiations. This won't resolve all disagreements, but for the first time in history, both sides will be gathered in one place and can understand what is most important to each other," adding "There has already been significant progress over the past few hours, and we expect additional progress within the coming hours."
The U.S. and Iranian negotiation teams met separately with delegations from Pakistan and Qatar this morning, and it was reported that a meeting with all four countries was subsequently held.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said earlier that today's meeting was scheduled as a one-day event and that a four-way meeting would take place in the afternoon.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iranian Parliament, descending from airplane
Vice President Vance said when departing for Switzerland the previous day: "We will conduct negotiations for about two days," adding "We hope to make progress on nuclear issues and the Lebanon ceasefire issue."
Swiss authorities extended access and traffic controls around the meeting venue until the 23rd in preparation for all-night negotiations.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated earlier that this negotiation is "to demand compliance with the other party's obligations," indicating that it will first check promises presented as preconditions for negotiating final agreements in the MOU, such as the end of military operations on all fronts including Lebanon (Article 1) and the lifting of U.S. maritime blockade and sanctions (Articles 4 and 10).
Spokesman Baghaei said on the day: "The Zionist regime (Israel) continues to violate its promises in Lebanon, and this issue will be a key topic of discussion in today's meeting," adding "The agenda will also include discussions on the issue of utilizing frozen or restricted Iranian assets and the issuance of permits necessary for the sale of Iranian crude oil."
Swiss resort prepared for negotiations
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also headed to Switzerland for discussions on Iran's denuclearization. Director General Grossi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on the day: "Met with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to exchange views on the Iran-related situation, future prospects, and the role of the IAEA."
Article 8 of the U.S.-Iran peace MOU states: "It is agreed to resolve the disposal of enriched material stockpiles according to a mutually agreed mechanism, and it is agreed to use dilution on-site at least under IAEA supervision."
After signing the MOU, the U.S. and Iran originally planned to hold their first working-level negotiations on June 19 to discuss nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions on Iran. However, the face-to-face negotiations were postponed after Iran raised concerns about Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon.
The U.S. and Iran agreed in the MOU to reach a final agreement within 60 days and obtain approval through a UN Security Council resolution. The U.S. considers the negotiation period to have begun on June 18, the day after the two countries' presidents signed the MOU. According to this, the negotiation deadline is August 16.
dada@yna.co.kr
