Israeli attacks on Lebanon nearly derailed US-Iran talks, Pakistan FM

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Israeli attacks on Lebanon nearly derailed efforts to bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, as technical talks between the two sides began in Switzerland aimed at implementing a recently announced memorandum of understanding.

Speaking to Al Arabiya, Dar said the discussions represent the second phase of the US-Iran diplomatic process and involve working groups focused on nuclear issues, sanctions and frozen assets, and Lebanon.

“The parlays which are starting today in Switzerland, Burgenstock, could have started a few days earlier, but because of Israel attack on Lebanon actually derailed everything and stopped everything,” Dar said, referring to the US-Iran technical talks held in the Swiss resort.

Pakistan, which has played a mediating role between Washington and Tehran, announced earlier that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz would not face transit fees during an initial 60-day period while negotiations continue.

Dar said Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir and officials from Pakistan’s Foreign Office had arrived in Burgenstock, where US and Iranian delegations were also present.

Dar described the recently announced US-Iran memorandum of understanding as a credible framework for future negotiations.

“It is a very well-thought-out document, acceptable to both the parties,” he said.

“Nobody should doubt on the intentions of the signing parties.”

The foreign minister said negotiators have been given 30 days to conclude work on certain issues, while the broader agreement is expected to be finalized within 60 days, a timeline that could be extended by mutual consent.

“They have for certain items, they have 30 days to conclude. But the bulk and overall conclusion of the final deal, the timeline is 60 days,” Dar said.

The minister also pointed to what he described as early economic benefits from the easing of tensions.

“We have seen already the dividends of this peace,” he said. “The prices of energy has come down, the ships had started moving.”

Dar reiterated Pakistan’s position that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should return to conditions that existed before the conflict erupted on February 28.

“We had, apart from its facilitation role and facilitator, its own very clear mind, that the Hormuz should be restored to pre-28th of February when the conflict started, which means no fee, no toll,” he said.

“So, the 60 days it has been now guaranteed, during which they will work out with the regional countries, you know, on this subject they will finalize.”