Iran live updates: US and Iran agree to roadmap for ‘final deal’ within 60 days

The United States and Iran have reached an agreement to commence negotiations towards a comprehensive war-ending deal within a 60-day timeframe. The talks are being facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland.

During the negotiations on Sunday, both delegations agreed to establish a “High Level” committee to oversee the discussions. This committee has endorsed a 60-day roadmap for the negotiations, as announced by the mediators in a joint statement issued early Monday.

One of the crucial issues discussed during the talks was the ongoing conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group supported by Iran. Iranian negotiators emphasized the importance of addressing this conflict during the discussions.

As part of the agreement, the U.S. and Iran have agreed to form a “deconfliction cell” comprising officials from both countries and Lebanese representatives. This cell will work towards ensuring the cessation of military operations in Lebanon in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The success of the “deconfliction cell” in halting the hostilities in Lebanon will serve as a significant test for the negotiations, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He highlighted the importance of this aspect during a statement on Monday.

In response, Israel’s defense minister stated that the Israel Defense Forces have no plans to withdraw from the areas in southern Lebanon where they are engaged in combat with Hezbollah.

Acknowledging the progress made in the negotiations, Araghchi commended Pakistan and Qatar for their efforts in facilitating the talks and expressed optimism for further advancements.

Moving forward, technical discussions will continue throughout the week at the Burgenstock resort, addressing all pertinent issues. The mediators reiterated their commitment to maintaining a constructive atmosphere during the negotiations with the ultimate goal of reaching a final agreement.

The ongoing negotiations signify a significant step towards resolving the longstanding conflict between the United States and Iran, with hopes for a peaceful resolution within the stipulated timeframe.