Mediators Pakistan and Qatar early Monday issued a joint statement stating that the first round of talks between the United States and Iran on ending the Middle East war has concluded in Switzerland, reporting encouraging progress which includes creation of mechanism for further technical talks, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The mediators said both Iran and the United States have agreed on a roadmap towards reaching a final deal to end the war within 60 days. "The High Level Committee has agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks," the joint statement read.
Representatives from both Iran and the United States have also agreed to set up a "de-confliction cell" with Lebanon to stop military operations, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said.
"The parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the mediators, to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon," the joint statement read.
Talking to media before the start of technical level talks between Iran and the United States in continuation of the Islamabad Memorandun of Understanding (MoU), Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, US Vice President JD Vance, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin… pic.twitter.com/63Aa8gYy7U
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) June 21, 2026
Following is the text of the joint statement:
The first session of high-level talks under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding have concluded in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with the participation of representatives from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America, and the two mediating parties, the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks.
Building on the MoU, the parties have agreed to the establishment of a High Level Committee, which will provide political oversight on the mediation. Chief negotiators will report regularly to the High Level Committee and lead working groups focused on nuclear, sanctions, and a monitoring and dispute resolution group to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, and on other matters.
The High Level Committee has agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks. In addition, a communication line between the parties has been formed for the period mentioned in paragraph 5 of the MoU to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Moreover, the parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the mediators, to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon as per the MoU. Technical talks will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort on all issues.
The mediating parties will continue to do their utmost to ensure that the negotiations continue to be conducted in a constructive atmosphere with the aim of reaching a final deal.
The State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan expressed their sincere appreciation to the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their ongoing commitment to diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The mediating parties further commended brotherly and friendly countries for their continued support and valuable contribution to the ongoing negotiations.
PR No: 1️⃣5️⃣1️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 22, 2026
Joint Statement by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Regarding the Conclusion of Lake Lucerne Summit, First High-Level Committee Meeting with Participation of the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran pic.twitter.com/2G3PAf7LVY
Reacting to the talks, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said there was "major progress" in talks with the United States. " Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon war," Araghchi posted on X.
"Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and a major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran," he added.
In his message, Araghchi said the first real test of the understandings reached would be a deconfliction method created over the fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2026
1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell https://t.co/q0okD2qwSO
The talks mark the start of diplomacy in a 60-day process seeking to reach a permanent deal over the Iran war. But fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon continues to threaten the diplomacy. Meanwhile, Iran insisted it had again shut the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf crucial to energy shipments. The US said traffic continued.
Iran team leaves Swiss venue after 18 hours of talks
The Iranian delegation in talks with the United States has left the Swiss venue to return to Tehran after 18 hours of "intensive" negotiations, state media reported Monday.
The group, headed by chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, "left the building where the talks were held after about 18 hours of intensive talks and consultations", the IRNA state news agency reported, saying they were en route to Tehran.
Swiss eye 'immediate resumption' of technical discussions
Following a first round of talks in Switzerland between Tehran and Washington towards ending the Middle East war, Bern said Monday that conditions were set for technical discussions to follow immediately.
"The Swiss facilitator welcomes the constructive progress made during the intensive diplomatic talks that continued throughout the night of 21-22 June at the Burgenstock between the mediators, Iran and the United States," the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the roadmap agreed "creates the conditions for the immediate resumption of new technical discussions".
Reporter Anwer Abbas