【A Small Step for the US and Iran, a Giant Leap Toward Reconciliation】 After the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding, the Swiss-mediated negotiations have finally yielded results.
Pakistan and Qatar, acting as mediators, issued a joint statement describing the talks as "positive and constructive."
The statement was released not by either of the two main parties—the U.S. or Iran—but by the coordinating third parties. This indicates that trust deficits still exist between Washington and Tehran, who remain emotionally detached and impartial toward the current outcome, preserving greater flexibility to avoid disappointment should expectations be too high.
Yet the announcement by the mediators also carries significance: both sides agreed to establish a high-level committee to oversee the negotiation process, create communication channels to prevent accidental clashes, and simultaneously form a “deconfliction cell” (Lebanon deconfliction cell) to ensure the end of military operations in Lebanon.
Notably, this cell includes Lebanon, Iran, the United States, and the mediators—excluding Israel.
The chief negotiators from both sides will report regularly to the high-level committee and lead working groups focused on key issues such as nuclear matters, sanctions, monitoring, and dispute resolution, ensuring effective implementation of the memorandum.
Another achievement in the statement is the agreement by the high-level committee on a roadmap aiming to reach a final agreement within 60 days, laying the foundation for immediate follow-up technical discussions.
All parties have also established communication channels to prevent unintended incidents and misunderstandings, and to guarantee the safe passage of merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi thanked Pakistan and Qatar for their mediation, highlighting significant progress in ending the war in Lebanon. He noted that Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports have been exempted from restrictions, the blockade has been lifted, some frozen assets have been released, and a large-scale reconstruction and development program for Iran has now begun.
Beneath all these seemingly positive outcomes lies the real test: whether the “deconfliction cell” can function effectively.
The U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar are clearing obstacles to formal negotiations. The critical next step hinges on whether Israel—a major sticking point—can be removed from the equation.
Iranians have made it crystal clear to the U.S.: the core issue remains centered on Israel.
How far the U.S. and Iran can go—and whether the mediators’ efforts will ultimately prove futile—depends entirely on this.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868665024841728/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.