Nournews: The meetings in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, began with the primary objective of assessing the extent to which the United States has adhered to its previous commitments, rather than launching negotiations on a new agreement.

According to the Iranian delegation’s spokesperson, the main goal of this round of talks is to ensure the full implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Tehran maintains that it can enter the phase of final negotiations only after all provisions of the memorandum have been fully implemented.

Esmail Baghaei emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not merely seeking the signing of new documents but considers the precise implementation of previous commitments to be the essential condition for continuing the diplomatic process.

Internal Meeting of the Iranian Negotiating Team

During an internal session in Switzerland, members of the Iranian delegation reviewed the commitments undertaken by the United States under the Islamabad understanding and assessed the latest status of their implementation. Necessary coordination was also carried out regarding the follow-up of commitments that, according to Iran, have not yet been fulfilled, in separate meetings scheduled with mediators later today.

Other events planned during this round of diplomacy include a meeting between Iran’s foreign minister and his Swiss counterpart, consultations between the Iranian delegation and the Qatari delegation, bilateral talks with the Pakistani delegation, and a four-party meeting involving the Iranian, American, Qatari, and Pakistani delegations.

Iran’s Condition for Entering Final Negotiations

According to Iranian officials, Article 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding stipulates that the commencement of negotiations on a final agreement is contingent upon the implementation of five specific provisions, including the cessation of hostilities on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Iranian delegation’s internal meeting, Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran’s delegation is seeking assurances regarding the continued implementation of U.S. commitments and considers the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts to be a central element of the consultations.

Baghaei also noted that the parties are expected to hold a one-day round of meetings. In the morning, bilateral consultations will take place with the Pakistani and Qatari delegations, acting as mediators in the process. In the afternoon, four-party talks between the delegations of Iran and the United States, with the participation of representatives from Qatar and Pakistan, will be held.

In this framework, Tehran insists that any diplomatic progress will only be meaningful if Washington begins implementing and guaranteeing its commitments in practice.

The Role of Mediators and the Structure of the Four-Party Talks

In this round of discussions, Qatar and Pakistan are playing key mediating roles. Meetings began with bilateral consultations between Iran and the mediators, followed by a four-party session involving all participants.

According to the announced schedule, separate meetings were held in the morning, while the main session involving representatives of all four countries was scheduled for the afternoon. This format has been designed to enhance transparency and facilitate the exchange of messages among the parties.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, along with other members of the Iranian delegation, including economic and security officials, is participating in the talks and coordinating efforts related to the assessment of commitments.

Iran’s Agenda: From Ceasefire to the Release of Assets

Reports indicate that Iran is pursuing a number of specific demands during the negotiations. The first is a complete cessation of hostilities on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon, which Tehran describes as a key provision of the agreement.

The second issue concerns the release of Iran’s frozen assets and improved access to restricted financial resources. Oil exports and the reduction of sanctions-related pressures are also among the items on the agenda.

In this regard, Iran maintains that entering the final phase of negotiations will not be possible unless these issues are addressed.

A Test of Trust in Bürgenstock

The meetings in Switzerland can be regarded as the first practical test of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, where Iran seeks to evaluate the genuine willingness of the other side to fulfill its commitments.

According to Iranian officials, these talks are not merely a ceremonial process but rather a “verification mechanism” whose outcome will determine whether diplomacy can advance toward a final agreement or remain at the stage of implementing preliminary commitments.

In this context, the role of the mediators and the U.S. response to Iran’s demands are expected to be the most decisive factors in shaping the future course of negotiations.

Four-Party Talks to Begin Shortly

A meeting between Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Ignazio Cassis, the foreign ministers of Iran and Switzerland, concluded after approximately 45 minutes at the Bürgenstock Hotel.

According to IRNA’s correspondent in Switzerland, the four-party talks involving Iran, the United States, Pakistan, and Qatar are scheduled to begin shortly in another building within the same complex.

The Iranian delegation, headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and chief negotiator, arrived at Zurich Airport around 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Accompanying him are Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi; Ali Bagheri, Deputy for International Affairs at the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council; Abdolnaser Hemmati, Governor of the Central Bank; Hamid Bovard, Deputy Oil Minister and Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company; Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs; and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.

On the American side, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy, and Jared Kushner are present in Switzerland. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is also reportedly traveling to Switzerland to join the discussions. Before his departure, Vance stated that the meetings could continue for one or two days and would address issues related to the implementation of the memorandum, a ceasefire in Lebanon, and Iran’s nuclear file.

Representatives of the mediating countries are also in Switzerland. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani previously met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Bürgenstock to discuss the latest developments following the Iran-U.S. agreement.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir have also reportedly arrived in Switzerland. Alongside Qatar, Pakistan has played a mediating role in facilitating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and creating channels of communication between Tehran and Washington.