The Iranian government has announced the formation of four working groups as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. These discussions took place in Switzerland and concluded with the establishment of specialized teams focused on key issues such as Iran's nuclear energy program, the lifting of U.S. sanctions, economic reconstruction, and monitoring the implementation of agreed-upon terms. The announcement was made by Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal affairs, who emphasized the importance of these working groups in advancing the peace process.
The talks followed intense negotiations lasting 18 hours, during which high-level delegations from both countries made further progress toward resolving long-standing tensions. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator, participated in the first session of the talks in Switzerland, where he highlighted significant achievements, particularly regarding discussions on the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, oil, and the release of frozen assets. He noted that while progress had been made, the work was still in its early stages and required continued efforts.
Ghalibaf also expressed concerns about Israel's opposition to the negotiation process, stating that Tel Aviv views the talks as a threat to its existence and seeks to sabotage them. The U.S. delegation was led by Vice President Jay D. Vans, who played a central role in facilitating the dialogue between the two nations.
A joint statement issued by the mediators from Pakistan and Qatar described the developments as "encouraging," noting that they had laid the groundwork for a comprehensive peace agreement within a 60-day timeframe. During this period, critical issues such as Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of U.S. sanctions would be addressed. However, the initial round of talks faced challenges due to threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump and the firm stance of Israeli leadership in Lebanon, which refused to withdraw troops and continue attacks against Hezbollah positions.
According to an Iranian source, the Sunday negotiations were indeed interrupted but not terminated. The process appears to require more time than initially planned, given the volatility introduced by Trump's threats and the lack of cooperation from Israel. An Iranian delegate stated that unless hostilities in Lebanon cease immediately, the negotiations will be halted, and no other topics will be discussed.
In response to Trump's threats, the Iranian delegation withdrew from the meeting room and began discussions with the Qatari delegation on sanctions and frozen Iranian funds. A spokesperson from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Sunday talks focused on ending the war, lifting sanctions, and releasing frozen assets. They also mentioned that a plan for lifting sanctions related to Iranian oil had been finalized.
The first round of talks lasted 80 minutes and took place at a high level, with the participation of U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vans, Iran's president of the Majles, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and mediators from Pakistan and Qatar. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously indicated that the discussions would primarily focus on technical aspects to establish a framework for the process, either within the 60-day timeframe or extended if both sides agree.
Iranian sources emphasized that a key objective of their delegation was to make clear to the other side that without the implementation of conditions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, a final agreement could not be reached. Additionally, they stressed that for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen, hostilities in Lebanon must end, and Israeli forces must withdraw.
These points were confirmed by Iranian media, which reported that the Iranian delegation raised objections to the U.S. side over alleged violations of the agreement and informed them of Tehran's options following new threats from Trump. The Tasnim news agency reported that the Iranian delegation left the negotiation room citing Trump's threats. In a statement, Ghalibaf warned Washington to be cautious with its statements, emphasizing that Iran's military forces are prepared to respond accordingly.
2 reports
KathimeriniIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 7513 days agoIran and the United States have formed four working groups during technical talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the Middle East conflict. The groups focus on Iran's nuclear energy program, lifting U.S. sanctions, rebuilding and economic development in Iran, and monitoring implementation of agreements. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that progress was made in discussions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, oil, and frozen assets. Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, noted that Israel opposes the negotiations, viewing them as a threat to its existence and attempting to sabotage them. A joint statement by Pakistani and Qatari mediators highlighted encouraging progress, including drafting a roadmap for a comprehensive peace agreement within 60 days.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual updates on diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the U.S., focusing on procedural developments such as forming working groups and mentioning progress in specific areas like sanctions relief and nuclear programs. It includes quotes from both Iranian officials and medi器
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 75): The article accurately reports the formation of four working groups focused on nuclear energy, sanctions relief, reconstruction, and implementation monitoring. It cites an Iranian official and provides context about the negotiations. However, it frames the talks as aimed at ending the Middle East wa
SKAIIndependentProgressiveFactual 70Objective 4515 days agoThe article discusses diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran during talks held in Switzerland. The negotiations were disrupted primarily due to threats by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding new attacks on Iran and Israel’s refusal to withdraw troops from Lebanon, where they continue military operations against Hezbollah positions. As a result, the planned three-stage negotiation process—covering issues related to Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz, and nuclear sanctions—was interrupted. According to an Iranian source, the talks were suspended but not terminated, with discussions likely extending beyond the initially set 60-day timeframe. Iran expressed strong objections to Trump’s threats and withdrew from the meeting room, initiating separate discussions with Qatar regarding sanctions and frozen Iranian assets. The talks involved high-level representatives, including the U.S. Vice President, Iran’s president of parliament, and mediators from Pakistan and Qatar.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as being driven by U.S. aggression and Israeli actions, portraying Iran as reacting defensively. It emphasizes the negative impact of Trump’s threats and highlights Iran’s efforts to negotiate despite external pressures. The tone suggests criticism of U.S. foreign政策,
Why these scores (Factual 70 · Objective 45): This article contains several questionable factual elements, such as claiming Trump 'torpedoed' the talks and suggesting Israel actively sabotaged them. The narrative leans heavily toward Iran’s perspective, using emotionally charged terms like 'diplomatic thriller' and implying U.S. impatience with
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
Become a Supporter
GR
