Iran says US talks focus on war end, sanctions relief, assets

Iran's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that ongoing talks with the United States in Switzerland are focused on implementing key provisions of the June 18 memorandum of understanding, particularly measures to end the war, ease sanctions, and release frozen Iranian assets. Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran "is determined to pursue the implementation of the other side’s commitments with precision and seriousness," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

Baqaei stated that Sunday's meeting was convened to follow up on the memorandum's implementation, noting that Article 13 makes the start of final agreement negotiations "conditional" on first implementing Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11. "Without the implementation of these provisions, particularly Article 1, which concerns ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, it is not possible to enter the stage of negotiations for a final agreement," he said.

War end, oil waivers, asset release among key provisions

According to Baqaei, discussions focused heavily on Article 1, which addresses ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, as well as Article 10 — covering US waivers to facilitate Iranian oil exports — and Article 11 concerning the release of Iran's frozen assets. Since March 2, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 4,106 people, injured 12,531 others, and displaced more than 1 million people, according to figures released by the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Qatar, Pakistan mediate four-party format

The first round of four-party talks involving Iran and the US, with mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded in Switzerland on Sunday, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency. A source familiar with the Iranian negotiating team told the outlet that the meeting addressed implementation timelines for the memorandum's provisions.