U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on June 24 in Kuwait that the U.S.-Iran technical negotiation teams will meet again in Switzerland on June 29 or 30. He explained that the working groups from both countries are divided into several thematic groups to continue discussions. "The negotiation teams will return to Switzerland," he added.
Pakistan, the mediator in the talks, also mentioned the possibility of resuming discussions on June 30. Tahir Andrabi, a spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, indicated that June 30 is a potential date for the talks, although adjustments to June 29 or July 1 are not ruled out.
The key focus of the upcoming talks is whether the broad principles of the peace agreement can be translated into actionable plans. The U.S. and Iran agreed to reach a final agreement within 60 days following the signing of the MOU. The working groups will address issues related to nuclear matters, sanctions relief, agreement verification, and dispute resolution. The discussions at the end of this month are expected to serve as a critical test for achieving a final agreement.
Differences on Nuclear Inspections and Frozen Funds
The main point of contention is the resumption of inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Iranian nuclear facilities. The U.S. maintains that Iran has accepted long-term, rigorous inspections. In contrast, Iran argues that the core aspects of its nuclear program and the method for the return of inspections have not yet been clarified. The Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized U.S. officials for making statements that contradict the MOU. There remains a significant gap in understanding regarding when and to what extent inspections will be permitted.
Access to nuclear facilities and materials that have been attacked during the conflict is also a lingering issue. The U.S. views the resumption of inspections as a core condition for a final agreement, while Iran insists that sanctions relief and security guarantees must be discussed first.
The use of frozen funds and the conditions for their release are also variables in the negotiations. The U.S. demands that the use of released funds be limited to food and medicine. President Trump has stated that no funds have been disbursed to Iran thus far, claiming that some of the funds would be used for purchasing U.S. agricultural products. Conversely, Iran asserts that the U.S. cannot unilaterally dictate how the funds should be used.
Hormuz Strait and Lebanon as Variables in Final Agreement
The Hormuz Strait has resurfaced as a contentious issue. President Trump stated that Iran has informed the U.S. that it will not impose any fees on vessels passing through the strait. He explained that there are no tolls or insurance fees being charged. He warned that if this notification is false, the talks would end immediately.
However, the conditions following the 60 days of free passage have not yet been established. Both Iran and Oman, which border the strait, have emphasized their authority over managing the strait's costs. The continuation of free passage is expected to be addressed in subsequent discussions.
The Lebanon front remains another variable. The MOU includes the cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. As a result, the Lebanon issue has become a key condition for the implementation of the agreement alongside nuclear matters. Iran demands Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, while Israel insists on maintaining security measures to pressure Hezbollah.
The U.S. proposes that expanding the control of the Lebanese Armed Forces could be a solution. Secretary Rubio stated, "The more territory the Lebanese Army and government control, the less area Hezbollah will dominate, and Israel can reduce its presence in Lebanon." Under U.S. mediation, negotiations between Israel and the Lebanese government are discussing a 'pilot zone' approach, where the Lebanese Army would first enter certain areas to secure order.
Domestic U.S. politics may also limit the White House's maneuverability. The debate over the prolonged conflict with Iran is intensifying in Congress, with ongoing criticism regarding the president's war powers. Some Republican lawmakers have even aligned with calls to restrict President Trump's authority, which means the White House must be mindful of congressional pushback.
The next round of technical negotiations will hinge on whether the parties can establish the order of implementation for key issues rather than just opening discussions. The U.S. is demanding that nuclear inspections and guarantees for passage through the Hormuz Strait be prioritized, while Iran insists that sanctions relief, the release of frozen funds, and addressing the Lebanon front should be handled concurrently. If both sides cannot interpret the MOU language in the same way, the 60-day deadline may quickly expire.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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