Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has announced significant progress regarding the cessation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, alongside the lifting of restrictions on Iranian oil exports. The minister shared these details following the conclusion of negotiations with US representatives in Switzerland early on June 22.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Araghchi stated in a post on his social media account that, thanks to the tireless mediation of Pakistan and Qatar, substantial progress has been achieved toward ending the war in Lebanon.
Under the reported agreement, restrictions on Iran's oil and petrochemical exports, as well as various blockades, are to be lifted. Additionally, some of the country's frozen assets will be released, and a large-scale reconstruction and development program for the Islamic Republic will commence. Araghchi added that the primary test of this process will be the full resolution of the conflict in Lebanon, a point specifically noted in the joint statement by the Pakistani and Qatari mediators.
According to the document, the US and Iran have agreed to establish a special working group, with the assistance of the Lebanese Republic and mediators, to ensure compliance with the cessation of military operations in Lebanon. Furthermore, a 60-day direct communication line has been established between the parties to prevent potential incidents and misunderstandings, as well as to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The high-level meeting in Switzerland, which lasted approximately 80 minutes, saw the American side represented by US Vice President J.D. Vance, along with presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation included Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
These diplomatic developments occur against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. Switzerland has historically served as a neutral venue for high-stakes international diplomacy, often facilitating back-channel communications between nations that lack formal diplomatic relations, such as the United States and Iran.
