Iranian delegation leaves Switzerland after first round of talks with US

The Iranian delegation has left Switzerland and is returning to Tehran following the conclusion of the first round of talks with the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on June 22.

"The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, headed by the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, left the negotiation venue on Monday after around 18 hours of intensive talks and consultations and is heading to Tehran," Araghchi wrote.

The first round of talks between senior U.S. and Iranian officials in Switzerland ended on Monday (June 22), with mediators Qatar and Pakistan announcing a roadmap aimed at securing a final agreement within 60 days.

A joint statement said technical discussions would continue this week at the Buergenstock resort. The sides also agreed on a mechanism to end fighting in Lebanon and established a communication channel to help ensure safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

The talks followed a memorandum of understanding reached last week to extend a fragile ceasefire for at least another 60 days.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and a reconstruction and development plan for Iran.

The negotiations were overshadowed by renewed tensions after Iran announced it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly before talks began, President Donald Trump warned Iran that "you won't have a country" if it attempted to shut the waterway again.

A U.S. diplomat involved in the talks rejected reports that the Iranian delegation had walked out, telling: "The Iranians never left and are still here meeting and negotiating deep into the night. We’ve talked about the Strait, Lebanon, nuclear issues, and details of implementing the MOU, among other topics."

Trump later warned that Washington could resume military action if Iran failed to restrain its allies, writing: "If they don't, we'll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!"

By Aghakazim Guliyev