Image: keystone
June 22, 2026, 4:24 p.mJune 22, 2026, 4:24 p.m
The talks between the USA and Iran at the Bürgenstock are viewed positively. Mediators described the talks as “positive” and “constructive” and spoke of “encouraging progress”. US Vice President JD Vance had already described the meeting as “historic” on Sunday. A first foundation stone has been laid.
The sides agreed to pursue a 60-day roadmap and mechanisms for hot spots Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz. After the start of the talks at the negotiators’ level, further discussions at the working level at the Bürgenstock are to follow immediately.
The talks began on Sunday at around 3 p.m. with four people, after bilateral and a trilateral meeting had taken place in the morning. Qatar and Pakistan finally announced the first results of the meeting in a joint statement at around 3 a.m. on Monday.
Foundation stone laid
A “high-level committee” will now deal with the Iranian nuclear program, the sanctions and the review of the implementation of the latest agreement. Additional working groups are intended to reduce the tensions of the past few days. The Israeli attacks on Thursday in Lebanon initially led to the postponement of the meeting on the Bürgenstock on Friday.
Image: zvg
On Monday morning, the Iranian delegation led by Parliament President Mohammed Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi left the Hotel Bürgenstock, as the Keystone-SDA news agency learned from informed circles. It was still unclear Monday afternoon when Vance would leave.
According to his statements to journalists on Monday, a “very solid basis” has now been created for a final agreement. He compared the results of the discussions with the foundation of a house.
The difficult nuclear question
He continued: “The Iranians have agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors back into the country. This is a significant step for the American people and a first step toward permanent denuclearization, i.e. the permanent end of Iran’s nuclear weapons development program.
The agreement signed last week between Iran and the United States stipulates that Iran’s uranium reserves will be diluted under IAEA supervision.
Uranium enrichment plant in Natanz – Iran.Image: www.imago-images.de
Tehran, on the other hand, reiterated that it does not want to pursue nuclear weapons, but that it still wants to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. According to most observers, two months may not be enough to resolve the conflict. Among other things, the transfer of uranium enriched to 60 percent to another country or dilution to around five percent under the supervision of the IAEA is being discussed.
Araghchi, on the other hand, pointed to other advances. The exports of petroleum and petrochemical products were no longer hindered, the blockade was lifted, frozen funds were released and a reconstruction and development plan for Iran was launched.
The Strait of Hormuz
A communication channel was also set up between the warring parties in order to avoid misunderstandings or incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, the mediators explained. The aim is to ensure safe passage for commercial ships through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for the global economy for the trade in fertilizer, oil and liquid gas from the Persian Gulf states.
Men walk along the shore while people wade in the water in the Strait of Hormuz.Image: keystone
After the situation eased on Thursday, Iran again hinted at closing the strait, leading to mutual accusations with US President Donald Trump.
His bombing threats on Sunday evening almost caused the talks to fail. Ghalibaf warned the USA to “watch your choice of words”. However, Tehran remained at Bürgenstock and continued talks through the mediators.
First test in Lebanon
In addition, a forum had been created to ensure compliance with the ceasefire in Lebanon, it said. There are repeated mutual attacks by the Israeli army and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia. In their framework agreement last week, Iran and the USA agreed to an end to the fighting in Lebanon. “The first test,” Iran’s Araghchi wrote on social networks on Monday.
A damaged car is seen after Israeli attacks in Tire, Lebanon.Image: keystone
However, Israel’s government, which is not part of the negotiations between the two warring parties, rejects this. In addition, Israel does not want to withdraw its soldiers from southern Lebanon, which in turn is a thorn in Iran’s side. Mutual attacks in Lebanon brought the framework agreement to the brink of collapse at the end of last week. Eventually the situation calmed down – for the time being.
Welcomed by Switzerland
The spokesman for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA), Nicolas Bideau, welcomed the “constructive progress” on Monday, in particular the establishment of the high-level committee as a “positive step” and the 60-day roadmap.
Switzerland was able to open a new mediation window for the Bürgenstock talks. It claims to be the only European platform that can guarantee the necessary trust among the parties.
Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis held bilateral talks with Araghtschi, Vance and others involved on Sunday. Up to 2,000 members of the army and the police secured the conference location in the canton of Nidwalden. (sda)