US and Iran set 60-day roadmap for final deal at Burgenstock

Islamabad,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 09:34 IST

The United States and Iran have agreed on a roadmap to try to reach a final deal within 60 days after two days of talks at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, according to a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar on Monday.

The discussions on Sunday and Monday were held under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed by the US and Iran on Thursday to advance negotiations on regional security and other contentious issues. The statement said the latest meeting reviewed progress under the agreement and set the stage for further technical talks.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani took part in the discussions as facilitators. The US side was led by Vice President JD Vance, while the Iranian delegation was headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The meeting, described as the Lake Lucerne Summit, was the first high-level committee meeting since the MoU was signed.

The joint statement said the parties had agreed to set up a high-level group to ensure the MoU is implemented effectively and to oversee progress on issues covered under the framework. "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," it said.

It added that a dedicated communication channel had been set up for the period specified in the MoU to prevent incidents and miscommunication and to facilitate the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman, is the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is a key route for crude oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE and Iran. The statement came after the recent Iran-US war and restrictions on shipping through the strait disrupted oil flows, raised concerns over global energy supplies and added to volatility in crude prices.

The statement also said adherence to the termination of military operations in Lebanon, as discussed in the MoU technical talks, would continue for the rest of the week at Burgenstock. A ceasefire brokered in Lebanon over the weekend appeared to be holding, with Israel easing some restrictions in areas near the border. However, Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the US-Iran understanding. Israel has said its forces will remain in southern Lebanon until security threats are eliminated, while Hezbollah has said it will halt attacks only if Israel commits to withdrawing its troops.

The mediators said they would continue to do their utmost to ensure the negotiations were conducted in a constructive atmosphere with the aim of reaching a final deal. Pakistan and Qatar also thanked friendly countries for their support and contribution to the ongoing negotiations. According to the statement, the Lake Lucerne Summit was held in a "positive and constructive atmosphere" and marked the first formal review of progress under the Islamabad MoU, signed last week by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after intensive diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and Qatar, with Sharif signing as guarantor.

With PTI Inputs

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