Qatar PM says US-Iran talks in Switzerland lay groundwork for final deal
The Qatari Prime Minister confirmed that 18 hours of discussions between the United States and Iran have established a foundation for a final agreement, marking the start of a structured diplomatic phase aimed at ending the conflict initiated on 28 February.
Qatar’s Prime Minister has confirmed that 18 hours of direct discussions between the United States and Iran in Switzerland have established a foundation for a final agreement. Speaking to Al Jazeera, the Qatari leader described the sessions as laying the groundwork for a definitive deal, signalling a shift from preliminary negotiations to a more concrete diplomatic phase.
These talks represent the initial stage of a two-month negotiating period established under a preliminary deal agreed upon last week. The primary objective of this extended diplomatic window is to resolve the war launched by the United States and Israel on 28 February, a conflict that has significantly impacted regional stability and global markets.
The current diplomatic push follows an interim peace deal signed last week, which previously triggered a sharp decline in oil prices in June. This economic shift was largely attributed to an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that had been the subject of intense geopolitical tension.
Tensions had escalated significantly prior to the interim agreement, with Iran’s military command announcing on Thursday that it would target any ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This declaration followed Iranian strikes on vessels and recent US airstrikes in southern Iran. However, US Central Command denied that the waterway was closed, maintaining that commercial ships continued to transit the route.
US Vice President JD Vance previously indicated that a "very good foundation" had been laid for a successful final agreement following direct talks at a mountain-top resort in Switzerland. The Qatari Prime Minister’s latest assessment suggests that the recent 18-hour session has built upon this earlier progress, moving the parties closer to a comprehensive resolution of the ongoing hostilities.
