Iran, U.S., and Qatar Begin Tripartite Talks in Switzerland

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are seen at the Bürgenstock Resort near Lucerne, Switzerland. [Photo=Yonhap News & Reuters]

Iran, the United States, and Qatar have commenced tripartite talks in Switzerland. The discussions are expected to focus on a comprehensive ceasefire plan for Lebanon and the release of Iran's frozen assets abroad.

According to Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, delegations from Iran, the U.S., and Qatar are currently engaged in negotiations at a Swiss venue.

Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting schedule for the U.S. and Iranian delegations, stating that Pakistan would also participate as a mediator alongside Qatar.

Both sides have reportedly dispatched a significant number of high-ranking officials to the talks.

The Iranian delegation includes Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, and Ali Bagheri Kani, the Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council for international affairs. Economic officials such as Abdolnaser Hemmati, the Governor of the Central Bank, and Hamid Borde, Deputy Minister of Oil, are also part of the team.

On the U.S. side, key negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have completed preliminary technical arrangements, and Vice President JD Vance has joined the negotiations.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon ksh@ajunews.com