UMVA has learned that Iran's top negotiator abruptly left peace talks in Switzerland on Monday, following an 18-hour marathon session with the United States, as mediators claimed significant progress towards finalizing a deal to end the war.
The sudden departure comes as mediating parties from Pakistan and Qatar announced that conditions were set for technical talks to immediately follow, with both sides entering a 60-day period to settle a long-term deal. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries last week, laying out the framework for the negotiations.
However, several critical issues still need to be addressed, including Iran's nuclear program and enriched uranium. The stakes are high, with US President Donald Trump warning of new attacks on Iran if it does not "immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble."
Iran swiftly responded to Trump's warning, with its chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, cautioning that "they would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act."
The conflict in Lebanon has already claimed over 4,100 lives, according to the health ministry, with residents of southern Lebanon cautiously returning to their homes on Monday morning after a relative lull in fighting. Israel's military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, visited troops in south Lebanon on Sunday, stating that Hezbollah was in a "very difficult position" and the army was ready to prevent it from rebuilding.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Iran's negotiating team, led by top officials including Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has left Switzerland after the intense talks. However, the technical team remains in Switzerland, poised to continue technical negotiations on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.
In a significant development, the US and Iran have reportedly agreed to establish a "de-confliction cell" in Lebanon, facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, to ensure the end of military operations in the region. The mediators stated that this effort aims to guarantee adherence to the termination of military operations in Lebanon, as per the memorandum of understanding.
The effectiveness of this de-confliction cell will be put to the test in the coming weeks, with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi describing it as the "first real test" of the peace process. The fate of the region hangs in the balance, as the international community holds its breath, waiting to see if a lasting peace can be achieved.
