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 hit back with a warning of its own, with Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, saying, "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 continued to escalate, with the overall death toll now surpassing 4,100, according to the health ministry. Israeli strikes or continued fighting were reported on Monday morning, with some residents of southern Lebanon cautiously trickling back to their homes.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Iran's negotiating team, led by top officials including Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left Switzerland after the intense talks. However, the technical team remains in Switzerland, and will continue technical negotiations on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.
A significant breakthrough was announced, with the US and Iran reportedly agreeing to start a "de-confliction cell" in Lebanon, facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, to ensure the end of military operations. The mediators stated that "the parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon."
The effectiveness of this effort will be tested in the coming days, with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Aragchi saying it will be the "first real test". The fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has continued in Lebanon, despite a renewal of a ceasefire agreement, which became an obstacle to Iran and the US reaching a peace deal.
