The first round of negotiations between the US and Iran to reach a final deal to end the war has concluded with “encouraging progress”, mediators Qatar and Pakistan say.
The talks began on Sunday in Switzerland, after last week’s initial agreement between the two countries.
In a joint statement on Monday, Qatar and Pakistan said that a “High Level Committee” had agreed to “a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days”. Technical talks will continue throughout the week.
Earlier, a US diplomat involved in negotiations said discussions were focused on “clarifying some of the confusing messaging from Iran” on the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz and enforcing the ceasefire in Lebanon.
The mediators’ joint statement said that a “communication line” had been formed “to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz”.
Discussions also focused on “elements” of a nuclear deal, the US diplomat said, adding that both delegations, who were meeting in the Swiss city Lucerne, would use “today’s work as a starting point for ongoing technical talks going forward”.